Post 5 of 7 Reasons for inviting students The Digital Ambassador programme I have designed is technically open to every secondary school student. However, I have found that inviting students to participate is beneficial for the following reasons: Selected students feel special, and are proud to have been selected It helps ensure an even distribution in terms of gender and age It shows students that the programme is a serious one It helps with long term retention and ultimately with the survival of the programme (can select students who are more likely to stay long term) Selecting students to invite Often similar programmes are started by newly appointed staff, making it somewhat difficult to choose who should be invited....

Post 4 of 7 Digital Ambassadors as ‘Digital Buddies’ Working at an international school, the turnover of students is naturally relatively high, and numerous students join during the academic year. New students need to go through a similar ‘Tech induction’ that all students go through at the beginning of each school year. Unfortunately students joining during the academic year do not have the luxury of being taken off timetable, and need to learn new skills in their own time....

Post 3 of 7 Surveys Using online survey software, such as Google Forms, is a great way to gather a high volume of data quickly and efficiently. Using the basic tools provided, it is possible to get an overview of responses extremely quickly. Using such tools, it is very easy to branch questionnaires so that specific questions are only asked to specific groups of users (e.g. parents, teachers, students, etc.). If that option is not suitable, surveys can easily be duplicated, modified and administered to different audiences....

Post 2 of 7 Review of policy documents I have found that one of the most crucial parts of technology integration in schools is to ensure policies and procedures are in place, and enforced. Ideally those policies have been drawn up collegially and every stakeholder in the organisation has had a chance to give their views and feedback on the document(s). If a schooldoesn’t have any policies and procedures in place when it comes to using technology or systems (in the broad sense of the term), it may lead to inconsistencies and a poor user experience for teachers, students, parents and admin....

Reviewing needs, strengths and areas for improvements Gauging existing expertise Building the programme Inviting students to participate Offering special projects and opportunities Reviewing the programme Disclaimer: I was first introduced to the idea of a Digital Ambassadors programme by Aaron Metz, of the Canadian International School Hong Kong. Photo credit: 006 – Students using technology by Brad Flickinger under CC-BY-SA