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The Lending Library: Encouraging Equity in Computer Science

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Pennsylvania Convention Center, Terrace Ballroom Lobby, Table 24

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Presenters

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Sr. Digital Learning Analyst
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Julie Harrowfield is a Sr. Digital Learning Analyst for the department of Digital Learning and Assessment for Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, Massachusetts. In this role, she creates and facilitates trainings for digital tools, manages the department's monthly newsletter for teachers, and curates the district’s lending library.
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Sr. Administrator of Digital Learning
Springfield Public Schools
Denise Matuszczak is the Sr. Administrator of Digital Learning and Assessment for the Springfield Public Schools. With over seventeen years of experience, Denise leads the implementation of the district’s learning management and analytics platforms, supports educators with integrating digital tools into their instructional practice, and prepares school teams for the successful administration of the state MCAS assessment. Denise is passionate about ensuring that all students have equitable access and opportunities to digital tools and resources as she supports elementary, middle and high school teachers with integrating digital literacy and computer science standards across the curriculum.

Session description

With the goal of creating equity in access to physical computing devices and computer science lessons, Springfield Public Schools launched a lending library. We'll explore how implementing a lending library has supported educators at all grade levels in building equity in physical computing.

Purpose & objective

Students gain necessary skills to enter the workforce when exposed to computer science early on. In order to provide exposure at an early age, computer science lessons need to be integrated into the preexisting curricula. Physical computing devices provide engaging opportunities to support student learning about computer science yet, the financial commitment is impractical.

As a diverse district, we have made it a priority to provide more equitable access to computing devices and lesson resources to our student population and in response, Springfield Public Schools curated a district lending library over two and a half years ago.

Our purpose for this presentation is to share our district’s experience, providing participants with one approach to building their own lending library, in order to expand equity in computer science. By the end of the presentation participants will learn about the opportunities that a lending library will bring to their students and will be inspired to consider what would be needed to plan and build a lending library in their own school or district.

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Outline

Activator-5 minutes
-Participants will be asked to name their favorite computing device or what was their first piece of technology they remember using. Nearpod Collaborate Board, Wordle, or Padlet will be used. Access will be provided by using a QR code in the presentation.

Background-10minutes
-Who is Springfield Public School? Demographics and images provided
-Our why for beginning our district lending library which includes
----a brief district history of how we expanded computer science opportunities.
----how our lending library started small, but needed to expand quickly for equity purposes.
----he district's decision to hire a computer science teacher for every building further reinforced our commitment to support these new CS teachers with equitable access and opportunities to lessons and the accompanying computing devices.

Logistics: Funding, Devices, and Organization-25 minutes
-We will discuss some of the logistical challenges and solution strategies that were part of our planning and building process
---Funding: Emphasizing the need for a district or school to have the support of district leadership before embarking on this journey. We will discuss how devices were purchased, including early funding from an internal budget, researching grant opportunities, and strengthening collaboration partnerships.
---Devices: Images of the devices purchased by our district. As the images appear on the screen, we will discuss our rationale for device choices which includes how some of the devices complimented the lessons already being taught within the district.
-----Images Recent additions of unplugged computer science lessons to the library to continue building on providing equitable computer science opportunities for all teachers interested in implementing computer science but unsure of using computing devices.
-----A QR code will be available for participants who wish to learn a bit more about the devices or unplugged activities featured in the presentation.
---Organization: Other areas of consideration includes our process for packaging devices for borrowing, the behind the scenes workflow when teachers borrow devices, time allotment for borrowing, and utilizing outside help in the form of student interns for damage check when they are returned.

Student and Teacher Feedback and Testimonials-5 minutes
-Participants will view a brief video of students and teachers using the devices in classroom. A QR code with additional testimonials will be provided.

Challenges and Strategies Reflection-15 minutes
-Participants will be given time to reflect and then share their thoughts using the following questions as their guide:
----- What is one thing that could be immediately started in your school or district to increase computer science equity?
------What is one challenge that you foresee when starting a lending library for your school/district?
-Participants will be given a QR code for a Padlet and responses will be shared on the screen.

Any additional time available will be for questions and answers.

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Supporting research

https://stemforall2020.videohall.com/presentations/1848

https://sites.google.com/umass.edu/csforallspringfieldma/our-work/publications

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Session specifications

Topic:
Equity and inclusion
Grade level:
PK-12
Skill level:
Beginner
Audience:
Chief technology officers/superintendents/school board members
Attendee devices:
Devices useful
Attendee device specification:
Smartphone: Android, iOS, Windows
Tablet: Android, iOS, Windows
Participant accounts, software and other materials:
A QR code reader will be needed to participate in the activator and reflection sections of the presentation. Additional information may be access by the participant if they wish.
Subject area:
Computer science
ISTE Standards:
For Education Leaders:
Equity and Citizenship Advocate
  • Ensure all students have access to the technology and connectivity necessary to participate in authentic and engaging learning opportunities.
Connected Learner
  • Use technology to regularly engage in reflective practices that support personal and professional growth.
  • Develop the skills needed to lead and navigate change, advance systems and promote a mindset of continuous improvement for how technology can improve learning.