Technology Drives
Student Learning
Digital learning coaches help teachers plan lessons that
develop lifelong skills critical to students’ future success.
Frisco ISD students are more connect-
ed and tech-savvy than ever. They are us-
ing a variety of tools in the classroom to
share their observations and showcase
their learning.
Each campus and teacher is fully sup-
ported with technology resources such as
traditional desktop computers, laptops,
iPads and Chromebooks. All students in
grades K-12 have a Google Apps account,
which aligns with international standards
for technology integration, and gives stu-
dents access to email, word processing,
presentation tools and many other collab-
orative resources. Additionally, secondary
students have access to their own per-
sonal Frisco ISD Gmail account.
The school district also implement-
ed a Bring Your Own Device policy sev-
eral years ago, allowing middle and high
school students to bring their own smart-
phones, tablets and laptops to use in the
classroom when needed.
“Kids like to have their own device,”
said Melissa Fouche, executive director
of technology.
She and her team like to point out
that in this rapidly-changing digital world,
there is no perfect device to fit every task.
“Sometimes students need a personal
computer or Mac, sometimes an iPhone
or Chromebook works better,” she said.
“And if they can do it on their phone,
that’s really what they prefer,” added
Cheryl McDonald, director of digital learn-
ing services. She offered that observa-
tion as both an educator and parent of
a teenager.
Whatever the tool, it is important for
students to learn how to collaborate and
THE FIVE C’S
Collaboration
Communication
Creativity
Critical Thinking
Digital Citizenship
communicate remotely to be considered
college and career ready. As technology
evolves, so does the role of students in
the classroom.
“Students have changed from con-
sumers to producers,” Fouche explained.
“And producing is a form of assessment
of their understanding. Rather than a
paper and pencil test, producing proj-
ects with technology gives kids a voice
and a choice in showing what they have
learned.”
Teachers across all content areas fos-
ter creativity by allowing students to use
During social studies class, sixth
graders at Nelson Middle School
use Google Expeditions to take
a virtual field trip to experience
Aztec and Mayan ruins.
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