LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – As Lubbock ISD gets ready to welcome in new students and a new year of learning, it is also welcoming in a new position that will play a critical role in technology and learning.<\/p>\n
Cary Fulgham is Lubbock ISD\u2019s new Director of Instructional Technology, a role that consolidates several functions that had been spread across multiple positions \u2014 some of which had not existed in the district for roughly three years. <\/p>\n
Her department handles teacher training, equipment purchasing, device deployment to campuses and tech support, including repairs and inventory.<\/p>\n
Fulgham came to the role from a teaching background, later serving as the district\u2019s coordinator of digital learning before stepping into the director position. <\/p>\n
She said the job is driven by a need to keep students ready for careers that are already changing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re preparing kids for a future that we really can\u2019t see,\u201d Fulgham said. \u201cEvery possible opportunity a student would have outside of the classroom is going to involve some sort of technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
That preparation, she said, extends to teachers as much as students. <\/p>\n
For example, Fulgham said her department is leading training on artificial intelligence \u2014 a topic she acknowledged carries uncertainty on all sides.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to be willing to be learners ourselves,\u201d Fulgham said. \u201cIf we completely withdraw from the technology and the AI pieces, we put kids at a disservice. But completely immerse, and we don\u2019t meet all the other needs we know they have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fulgham said teachers completed online safety and AI development courses over the summer as part of their required compliance training. During the school year, each campus works with a designated liaison \u2014 a librarian, media specialist, principal or teacher \u2014 who receives monthly resources from Fulgham\u2019s team and delivers online safety lessons to all students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also feel it\u2019s important that we cover things that may not even be pieces for the classroom,\u201d Fulgham said. \u201cIt\u2019s important that we cover what to do if you get a bullying text message from a friend, and just the resources that they can use outside of the classroom as well as in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fulgham also pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point that shaped the district\u2019s current approach. She said LISD was already a one-to-one device district when schools closed, which gave it an advantage. Lessons learned during that period are now informing a new virtual program the district is launching for students.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many jobs went remote because of COVID and haven\u2019t gone back since?\u201d Fulgham said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of opportunities that are virtual opportunities, but you have to have the skill set to be able to be successful there.\u201d<\/p>\n
As both an administrator and a parent of two children in the district, Fulgham said her goal is the same for all students.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy goal as far as technology goes is that they learn not only the benefits of technology, how to use it and have the skill set, but they also learn the importance of safety and security online,\u201d Fulgham said. \u201cThat they also learn how to handle situations that may not be fun situations or may be harmful situations.\u201d<\/p>\n
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