Sustainable Technology Strategy is The Key To Long-Term Viability

Joel Handler, Director of Technology, Hillsborough Board of Education

Joel Handler, Director of Technology, Hillsborough Board of Education

As the Director of Technology at Hillsborough Board of Education, Joel Handler drives technology integration in the district, transforming teaching methods and enhancing student learning. He has implemented a complete 1:1 program issuing over 7300 Chromebooks to every student in grades K-12 and over 1000 staff devices to district personnel. Under his leadership, the district has made great strides in technology integration thereby transforming the delivery of instruction and the learning of all students.

Handler is an experienced leader with two Master's degrees from Rutgers University, one in computer science and another educational leadership and administration. He is dedicated to driving advanced tech solutions in the education space. He has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences, including TEDx, ISTE, BETT London, UK, NY/NJ Google Apps Summits, TechspoNJ, NJASA, and CoSN. In 2015, he was nominated to join the CoSN Volunteer Hall of Fame.

Could you share how you've adapted to the rapid changes in technology over the years and how you've integrated these advancements into the educational space?

I have witnessed numerous technological advancements in the education space over the last two decades. In the initial stages of my career, technology had yet to enter the classroom environment. At Hillsborough, we embarked on our tech journey by equipping every teacher with a computer and transitioning from manual attendance records to digital systems. Though initially we witnessed resistance and uncertainty for this move, it was ultimately embraced as a standard practice.

As the educational landscape witnessed profound shifts, concept of mobile computer labs paved a way to the vision of one-to-one technology programs. From IPads and Chromebooks, students were provided with devices in pilot groups equipped with interactive textbooks, ensuring technology is accessible to every student.

"Adopting sustainable models when introducing new software can lighten administrative burdens and promote seamless integration within educational frameworks"

Our goal was to empower educators to leverage technology innovatively instead of just replicating traditional methods. Integrating technology allowed us to enable virtual collaborations with experts worldwide, including scientists stationed in remote areas and attending live surgical procedures. Using virtual platforms like Google Meet, we could easily arrange joint projects between students from disparate locations, breaking geographical barriers and fostering meaningful connections.

What are some of the major challenges you've encountered during technology integration, and describe your strategies for addressing them?

Over the last decade, the use of technology in education has become a common practice. This has led to a shift in the way teachers and students approach learning. New devices, applications, and resources are being developed every year, which means educators have to continually update their lessons and teaching methods to keep up with changes. This ever-evolving nature of technology can be challenging for educators as they need to constantly adapt their curriculum to match the latest technological advancements.

The rapid advancements in technology have led to the risk of cyber threats, including everything from attempts by students to breach security protocols in order to alter their grades or bypassing filters to global threats from foreign cybergangs. Unfortunately, our educational institution was ill-equipped to handle such assaults, and we faced a significant incident three years ago when a ransomware gang targeted us. This encounter highlighted the urgent need for strengthening our security posture beyond what had been done in the past. We quickly adopted cutting-edge tools for implementing a preventive approach to cybersecurity.

Another big challenge that we faced during technology integration was budgeting. The lack of predictability and transparency in technology expenses from companies made it difficult to effectively plan finances. Seeking a sustainable funding model, we shifted towards leasing equipment over its lifespan instead of outright purchasing. This approach ensures a stable budgetary allocation, with predictable expenses over the lease period. The devices can be sold or repurposed upon lease completion, enabling the acquisition of updated technology without significant spikes in expenditures. However, we must continuously evaluate and plan for the future obsolescence of our devices. The products that seem cutting-edge and enduring today become outdated within a few years and are the oldest technology our students will use in their lifetime.

The recent surge in technology procurement during the pandemic, fueled by federal funding, has further strengthened the sustainability dilemma. Although remote learning required devices, inadequate planning for maintenance and replacement resulted in educational institutions struggling to manage aging and failing equipment without a clear plan for sustainability. This highlights the need for a proactive approach that prioritizes adaptability, long-term planning, and integrating sustainable practices into technology acquisition and maintenance strategies.

What is your piece of advice to peers and aspiring professionals in the industry?

We must take a forward-thinking approach when planning for the next few years. This includes anticipating technological obsolescence and formulating contingency measures while allocating a specialized budget for this purpose and cultivating strong relationships with administrative counterparts. This helps us make informed decisions and ensure readiness for future technological endeavors. Adopting sustainable models when introducing new software can lighten administrative burdens and promote seamless integration within educational frameworks.