Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) had a busy year improving technology across the division, and they aren't slowing down.
Associate superintendent Bill Driedger told the board of trustees all about the changes that were made this year and what lies ahead during their meeting on Wednesday, May 29.
Driedger highlighted their information technology (IT) and education technology (ET) programs working together, which he said helps them accomplish two important goals.
"We're trying to have a system that runs efficiently and effectively, because we all use technology in our day-to-day work, but from a pedagogical perspective, we're also trying to make sure that pedagogy drives technology, not technology (driving) pedagogy," he explained, adding this has been a significant change for NLPS that has led to a number of other achievements in the last year.
While they still have a ways to go, Driedger said the help desk, the program teachers use in NLPS to report a problem and request assistance, has been significantly improved and allows direct access for those in need of IT help.
"Rather than there being a number of different venues that you have to go through before you get the help, we're trying to open that piece where you go directly through the help desk process and make sure you can get the help (you need)," he detailed.
Moving forward, NLPS will be exploring areas of efficiency, such as lowering the number of devices in the school division in order to make it easier to support and maintain the programs offered.
In regards to security password policies, Driedger noted there will be some "significant changes" in the future to ensure data is protected.
This summer, the IT department is hoping to make it possible to save information to the school district's server as opposed to a device.
"That way, if it goes missing somewhere... there's no information stored on the laptop," explained Driedger, adding Alberta Education has standards when it comes to this area.
"We have significant responsibilities around the security of students and staff information. We have some very strict requirements that we need to follow, and we will follow. Sometimes people don't see us as friendly because of it."
Communicating with parents about the specifications NLPS has to follow was a suggestion from trustee Lorne Kaban.
"I think if we can bring to light the fact that there are standards we must comply with, as well as we're protecting all of our students' data and information, is key in helping them feel more engaged and to value what we're doing," he continued.
The majority of the devices used in the division are Chromebooks, with just over 3,000 spread throughout NLPS schools.
There is a ratio of one device for every 1.3 students, though Driedger feels it's a "difficult number to ascertain, because we have some units that are primarily used by staff and we have some primarily used by students."
When it comes to technology use in the classroom, board chair Arlene Hrynyk noted they received mixed reviews on the subject during their community engagement sessions.
"I think we're going to be mindful of that going forward, is that impact. Is it impacting mental health? Some of those things that they don't have research on, but certainly I know boards are mindful of that right now and parents are. Parents are kind of watching what's in the school, how we're using it, and what we're using, which is a good thing," she expressed.
According to Driedger, all of the improvements and changes being made are to ensure the technology and resources are available to their students throughout the region.
