Sunday, May 22, 2016

The Case for Case Studies: Success Stories for Continued Growth

Case studies provide a glimpse into how vision, strategic planning, and implementation drive results-oriented change. In education, they connect people to stories of how schools and districts have improved school culture and the specific steps that were taken. These detailed stories have the ability to provide great context through an explanation of the following:

  • Goals
  • Challenges
  • Solution
  • Success

Overall, a case study provides readers with details on how problems were solved, outcomes achieved, and how investments in professional learning led to a positive cultural shift. In a time when so many schools and districts are looking to technology as a means to improve student learning, case studies have become an essential tool to illustrate the benefits to stakeholders.

No two schools or districts take on the same initiative in the same way. Every school and district, just like every student, teacher, and administrator, learns and grows uniquely. Tailoring professional learning so that it is accurately identifying a school's or district’s essential DNA and applying its understanding to meeting the particular needs for growth and change was achieved in two very different schools/districts in California. 

Shifting to a Culture of Student-Centered Learning Through Technology Integration

La Quinta High School, in La Quinta, California, aspired to a digital integration that would ultimately transform its learning culture into a more collaborative and student-centered one. As a result of a deep and sustained vision, the school culture is fast becoming one of confidence, engagement, and interaction.  Access the case study HERE.

Empowering Teachers and Students Through Effective Use of Technology

In Coalinga-Huron Unified School District in Coalinga, California, a digital initiative was also put in place, in this case, system-wide. Among the needs that the district had were a multi-year plan, a vision that understood the nature of its teachers who needed confidence in integrating technology, and help in establishing an understanding of what a high-quality technology integration meant. The district has become empowered with technology to the extent that they have been recognized as a national leader for its work with blended learning.  Access the case study HERE.

Case studies in education are a valuable tool for change. They tell a story, demonstrate success, and provide insight that can empower other schools and districts to embrace a framework for change. The combination of what, why, and how aligned to results can be a springboard to focus on how to better implement technology at scale to improve student learning.

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