CCSD's Dumb and Dumber Moves with Smartboards

Wow! Imagine having next-generation technology! We could change it every year! After all, we're not paying; it's other people's money!

Do you ever wonder how often these thoughts wander through the empty heads in the halls of the Taj Mahal? Every time a salesman from the edublob calls, I suspect.

The question is, has any research shown that using any kind of interactive smartboard actually increases learning? Bet not! It does increase work for teachers, however. 

"In addition to some new cutting-edge features and a sharper display, the Promethean panels will not require information technology workers to replace expensive projector bulbs, which have a tendency to burn out every few years."

Let's see: replacing "expensive projector bulbs" "every few years" compared to spending millions to replace the entire system. Hmm. 

Did anyone mention when installing the present $30 million smartboards that they would last only five to seven years? And now we hope for 10 years out of the replacements?

"The new technology has its skeptics, including school board member Michael Miller, who joined the unanimous vote for the upgrade in April. He said he has yet to see data that show previous technology upgrades, like the one that brought Chromebooks and iPads to every school in 2014, have improved student learning."

No kidding, but he voted for the expenditure anyway. 

Unanimous. Remember that when the next school board election comes around.

When voters approved the half-cent sales tax, did they really think the money would be squandered? It turns out that what voters want to spend money on, like increasing teachers' salaries, can't be funded with the tax. It's called "bait and switch" or the "fog of elections" or something like that.

The district was too embarrassed to provide the full cost of the replacement for what originally cost $30 million, stating it would be "at least" $14 million. For $4000 per classroom surely more effective ideas than replacing what already works can be found.

"Moultrie Middle English teacher and Charleston Teacher Alliance Director [and my hero] Jody Stallings remains skeptical, as well. He said most teachers use their SMART Boards as basic whiteboards or to show videos and Powerpoints — feats that could be accomplished much more cheaply. He doubts an expensive upgrade will change teachers' plans."

"'I'm sure there are a number of teachers who use them in more complex ways,' Stallings said in an email, 'but the reality is many (if not most) teachers either don't find the high-tech aspects useful for their curriculum and/or they do not have adequate time to prepare the complex, interactive lessons that the boards are capable of providing.'" 

Which begs the question: did anyone consult the teachers? 

Of course not.