Richland School District Two Case Study
THE DISTRICT
Richland Two, the fifth-largest school district in South Carolina, boasts a dedicated staff of nearly 4,000 employees who serve over 28,000 students. Located just outside of Columbia, SC, this suburban district encompasses nearly 40 schools, each committed to providing quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment.
HOW IT STARTED
Before adopting MobileMind, the district primarily conducted professional development synchronously and in person. Teachers participated in group sessions or attended lunch-and-learn events at the district office or other locations. However, this approach was disrupted in 2020 when the pandemic made traditional PD sessions impossible.
"MobileMind allowed our teachers to engage in professional development in a bite-sized way, and it allowed our teachers to learn when and how they wanted to learn," explained Brian Heyward, Technology Integration Specialist and MobileMind Champion.
Initially, the district used
MobileMind for Google training. However, it quickly became an essential tool for the school and district-level technology specialists, especially during the transition to virtual learning. "MobileMind helped address the overwhelming demand from teachers who needed support simultaneously," Brian continued. "It enabled teachers to learn what they needed in bite-sized portions and receive feedback without overloading our schedule, which was already strained with other technology priorities during the pandemic."
"MobileMind allowed our teachers to engage in professional development in a bite-sized way, and it allowed our teachers to learn when and how they wanted to learn."
BRIAN HEYWARD
Technology Integration Specialist
A NEW WAY
After discovering the benefits of using the modern learning hub for technology training, the district expanded its use to other areas, including academics, special education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training at both the school and district levels. "We are also using it to track teacher participation and engagement so that we can identify if additional courses are needed," said Brian Heyward.
Additionally, Richland Two has seized the opportunity to integrate both remote and in-person training formats with MobileMind Events,
an in-person registration and scheduling tool, for their district-wide in-service days and other conferences. "As a Tech Integration Specialist, I enjoy the integration of asynchronous training with live events, whether virtually or in person. Having our teachers complete a prerequisite course or supplemental learning after the live event has been incredibly beneficial," Brian continued. "The best part is we don't have to follow up with them afterward for basic training needs. If it is Google-related, they get feedback from MobileMind, and if not, I can create a quiz that allows them to review and retake the course as needed. It takes a lot of the heavy lifting off our plates. It also frees up our interaction to explore more in depth strategies and best practices for how technology can be used to accomplish instructional goals."
Brian further explained that they are encouraging more educators in the district to use the learning hub to create micro-courses and learning paths. However, the district soon realized there was a better way to design the hub due to some initial growing pains. "We collaborated with MobileMind's Support Team to optimize our learning hub," Brian explained. "They assisted us in reorganizing the setup to enhance usability for our school-based coaches." This collaboration was so effective that MobileMind developed new processes to support additional districts with similar needs.
"I enjoy the integration of asynchronous training with live events, whether virtually or in person. Having our teachers complete a prerequisite course or supplemental learning after the live event has been incredibly beneficial."
BRIAN HEYWARD
SURPRISING USES
Over the years that Richland Two has used MobileMind, the learning hub has evolved significantly to better support school districts. "The way that Events have evolved has allowed us to do and track more than we anticipated," said Brian Heyward. For instance, the district's technology conference, Helping Educators Advance Teaching via Technology (H.E.A.T.T.), achieved a 90% attendance rate the first year Richland Two used MobileMind Events for the conference. They were even able to invite new teachers who didn't yet have district accounts by allowing them to use their personal Gmail accounts with MobileMind Events.
Richland Two eventually expanded the use of MobileMind beyond instructional and classified staff to include other roles, such as bookkeepers and administrative personnel. This eliminated the need for these employees to leave campus for training, as they could now receive training at their own pace right at their desks.
"MobileMind's support is one of the best parts," Brian noted. "With other vendors, there are often cumbersome processes that force you to either make do without what you need or find a workaround. That's not the case with MobileMind. Their support is approachable and helps as we bring on more and more people, and we are confident in doing that with MobileMind."
CONCLUSION
Richland Two's partnership with MobileMind has revolutionized its approach to professional development, offering flexible, effective training that meets the needs of educators and staff. By utilizing MobileMind's features like Events, the district has enhanced participation and engagement, seamlessly integrating virtual and in-person training. The collaboration with MobileMind's Support Team has also optimized the learning hub's usability, extending its benefits beyond traditional roles. This partnership highlights how the strategic use of technology can drive significant improvements in education, empowering Richland Two to provide high-quality professional learning, coaching, and support to teachers and staff.
KEY NUMBERS
as of August 1, 2024
5,169
digital badges earned
23,919
micro-courses completed
26,283
hours spent in MobileMind
291
micro-courses created
46
learning paths created
7,460
PD credit scheduled, earned, and tracked in MobileMind Events