Technology & Innovation Department Update

On March 16, 2026, leaders in the Technology and Innovation Department presented our annual department update to the Board of Education. Presenters included Dr. Matt Fuller, Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Innovation; Ms. Tracy Harper, Director of Student Information; Mr. Joe Robinson, Director of Innovation; and Mr. Russ Vander Mey, Director of Technology Services.

The Technology and Innovation Department supports the following areas in Barrington 220:

• Instructional Technology and Innovation
• Technology Services and Infrastructure
• Student Information Systems
• Language Translation and Interpretation
• District Print Shop

In addition, our department supports the district’s Teacher Librarians, elementary STEM teachers, and Transportation services. The Department of Technology and Innovation is highly collaborative and works with other district departments to support technology and innovation needs across the district. Our department is responsible for implementing Framework 220 objectives in the areas of Future Readiness, Health and Well-being, and aligns closely to our district’s Personalized Learning objectives, while supporting all other areas.

One to World Learning Device Program

Barrington 220’s One to World program ensures that every student and staff member has access to a reliable learning device, internet connectivity, and essential instructional tools. Since its full implementation across all grade levels, the program has remained focused on supporting collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking—key elements of the district’s Learner Profile.

The district continues to use iPads as the primary device due to their balance of functionality, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. A recent cost comparison confirmed that iPads remain the most economical option over a three-year cycle. A full device study is planned for the 2026–27 school year to further evaluate device options, incorporating teacher feedback, classroom use, and evolving technology trends.

Professional Learning

Professional learning this year has centered on Authentic Learning, Student Agency, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Staff engaged in a self-paced Authentic Learning Foundations course, which included real classroom examples, reflection opportunities, and practical strategies that could be applied immediately.

In addition, the February 2026 Institute Day featured a wide range of sessions led by both national experts and Barrington 220 educators. These sessions provided hands-on opportunities to explore AI tools, instructional strategies, and innovative classroom practices. Ongoing support is also available through coaching, library-based support, and the district’s Digital Learning Hub, ensuring that staff can continue learning at their own pace throughout the year.

Technology Support

The district provides a comprehensive technology support system for students, staff, and families. School-based Library Technology Associates (LTAs) serve as the first point of contact, while a centralized Technology Support Team offers additional expertise through a structured three-tier system. This approach ensures that issues are addressed efficiently and with the appropriate level of support.

This year, the team successfully completed a large-scale device refresh, distributing new iPads and laptops across the district. Systems like remote device management and a new ticketing platform have improved efficiency, allowing for better tracking, faster resolutions, and more streamlined support processes.

Infrastructure Projects

Several major infrastructure projects have enhanced classroom and network capabilities across the district. New classroom displays have replaced outdated SMART Boards and projectors, providing improved visuals and easier connectivity for staff and students.

The district has also upgraded wireless access points to the latest Wi-Fi standards and begun replacing older fiber optic cabling to support faster and more reliable network performance. These improvements ensure that classrooms are equipped with modern, dependable technology that supports daily instruction and future growth.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity remains a critical priority in protecting student data, staff information, and district systems. Barrington 220 maintains strong protections through web filtering , endpoint security systems, and identity protection measures such as multi-factor authentication. The district also actively trains staff to recognize and avoid phishing attempts, with results showing stronger performance than national education averages. Partnerships with national cybersecurity organizations provide access to real-time threat intelligence and best practices.

Student Information Systems

The Student Information Services team continues to enhance the use of Infinite Campus to improve efficiency, communication, and data accuracy across the district. Efforts include automating alerts, expanding system integrations, and reducing manual processes so staff can access and use student information more effectively. Ongoing training opportunities help staff better understand and use our data systems. Recent upgrades, including improvements to the point-of-sale system and expanded integrations with other platforms, support smoother operations and more connected services for students and families.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Barrington 220 emphasizes a guiding principle in the use of AI: “Prompt the human before we prompt the machine,” ensuring that AI enhances—rather than replaces—student thinking and learning. Through professional learning, classroom exploration, and clear expectations, staff and students are learning how to use AI tools responsibly and effectively. The focus remains on using AI to support curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving while maintaining strong standards for ethics, safety, and academic integrity.

Conclusion

Across all areas, the Department of Technology and Innovation continues to build and maintain systems that enhance teaching, learning, and operations in Barrington 220. By combining strong infrastructure, thoughtful professional learning, responsive support, and a forward-looking approach to technologies like AI, the district is well-positioned to support students and staff now and into the future.

More Information

Read the full Board of Education memo

See the presentation slides 

Piloting a Solution to Avoid Unexpected Student Blocking

As Barrington 220 teachers may know, Staff and Student groups have different access on our district web filtering system. Our web filters are further customized by grade level for Students. This situation sometimes results in a teacher assigning a resource to students and finding out that the resource is blocked for students. Until now, teachers have had no easy way to test student resources in advance.

The Technology & Innovation Department recently began a test to hopefully solve this problem. All certified staff have both a MacBook Air laptop and iPad assigned to them, and we are now able to set devices to different filtering settings—even if device is assigned to a specific group. We are keeping the MacBook Air laptop filtered with Staff settings, but changing the Staff iPad to use our Student filter settings.

Teachers can now test resources they are assigning to students on the Staff iPad.

Please note three considerations for these new iPad settings for Staff:

• Filtering is active 24/7, both on and off district networks.
• This new setting applies only to certified and administrative staff iPads; classified staff will not be affected.
• Following student iPad filtering, remember that social media and video streaming platforms will no longer be accessible on a Staff iPad.

Please contact your building Library Technology Associate (LTA), call x. 1500, and/or otherwise contact the Department of Technology & Innovation with questions, comments, or concerns about this setting change. 

Although we are testing this in advance, you may have additional information we did not experience during testing.

How Can We Be Innovative AND Protect Student Privacy?

In Barrington 220, our commitment to Framework 220 drives us to seek out innovative, authentic learning opportunities that allow student agency. Often, these experiences are powered by a powerful ecosystem of digital tools such as websites, AI platforms, and apps that promise to transform the classroom experience.

Together with administration, building leaders, and staff, we wish to ensure that as we cross into new frontiers of technology, we do not leave student data behind. Under the Illinois Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA), protecting "covered information" isn't just a legal mandate; it's a vital component of the trust we build with our community. By prioritizing data privacy, we ensure that the real-world tasks our students engage in remain safe, secure, and focused on growth.

When someone looking to try a new website signs in with their district email address, they may already be sharing private information without even knowing it.

When you or your students "Sign in with Google" to websites not previously approved, you may be putting student data at risk. Nearly all "Sign in with Google" requests from non-Google websites ask for permission beyond simple identity. Often, this means full access to your Barrington 220 Google Drive.

Here are some of the permissions Quizlet asks for. These requests coupled with their refusal to sign a SOPPA Agreement protecting our data led to the removal of our subscription to the service. Teachers and students continuing to use Quizlet are subjecting personal and district data to a company which may be selling our data. 

 

 

Key Reminders

• "Sign in with Google" is a Permission, Not Just a Shortcut. When we click "Sign in with Google," we are often granting the website authorization to access student files, rosters, and metadata.
• SOPPA is a Shared Responsibility. Student data privacy isn't just a "Tech Department thing." It starts the moment a teacher or leader considers a new tool for student use.
• "Data as Currency" is a Reality. Many "free" tools sell student data or use it to train AI models. Our district review process and SOPPA ensures we aren't trading student privacy for functionality.
• Innovation Must Include Visibility. By vetting tools centrally, we prevent unexpected removal of tools and ensure a consistent, reliable experience for all Barrington 220 staff and students.

Our goal is to foster a culture where innovation and protection go hand-in-hand. Before you adopt a new tool, complete the Barrington 220 Request for Apps, Google API, and Services Google Form to begin the required review process by the Technology & Innovation Department. By working together, we ensure that our innovative tools deliver safe and successful learning experiences for our students.

IDEACon 2026: Big Ideas and Practical Practices

From February 9–12, 2026, many Barrington 220 staff joined educators from across the region for IDEAcon 2026, a conference that delivered a fast-moving mix of classroom-ready strategies and big ideas for the future. This year, a clear through-line emerged across every session: AI isn’t the point; learning is. The most impactful takeaways weren't about adding more tools to our plates, they were about strengthening purpose, agency, collaboration, and information literacy as our schools navigate an AI-saturated world.

Barrington 220 at IDEACon

Barrington 220 was well-represented by 33 attendees from across our schools and departments. Attendees represented nearly all of our schools. 

• Barrington High School
• Barrington Middle School—Prairie
• Barrington Middle School—Station
• Countryside
• Grove Street
• Hough Street
• Lines
• North Barrington
• Roslyn Road
• ELC

Teacher Librarians, instructional coaches, classroom teachers, LTAs, STEM teachers, and district leaders all attended to bring back diverse perspectives.

Conference Highlights (from our Barrington 220 staff)

A few themes emerged from the notes shared from the attendees. The themes reinforced our district's commitment to innovation and Framework 220.

• "Be a Lighthouse" Leadership—Kunal Dalal pushed an optimistic, ground stance: Explore, create joy, and most importantly don't do AI work in isolation—process it with colleagues and the community.
• AI for Workflow, Not Replacing Thinking—Multiple sessions focused on workflows using Google tools, Gemini Gems, and sources researched with NotebookLM to support learning and teaching.
• Creation over Consumption—From video storytelling (Google WeVideo) to Canva creations, the most innovative sessions treated media and tools as a pathway to student voice, learner agency, and authentic learning.
• Information Evaluation as a Core Skill—Sessions offered reframed media literacy for the AI era and highlighted the need to teach students to evaluate sources, purpose, authority, and evidence.

Major Takeaways from Barrington 220 Staff

Shannon Feineis from BHS captured the heartbeat of the keynote: AI use is risky when done alone. We stay more grounded when we sit with a colleague and talk through what we’re finding and building. She also captured practical ideas for using Gemini Gems to store context for repeated tasks and Gemini Canvas to build interactive learning games.

Jen Parisi from Roslyn brought back one of the most actionable frameworks: deciding when to emphasize the potential of technology versus the power of collaboration. Two of the catchiest strategies were "Talk then Tech" and "Close with Closed Screens."

Laura Winter from Prairie hit three district priorities: STEAM with purpose, evaluating information via the TRAPPED framework, and "building the info first" before using AI to generate media.

Moving Forward Together

Just like our recent Institute Day, the learning from IDEAcon moves us from "that was interesting" to "here is what we are going to do next." Whether the focus was inquiry, reflection, or new classroom tools, the work connects directly back to our instructional practices and to Framework 220.

Barrington 220 Joins Purdue and Apple to Pioneer the Future of Spatial Computing

Barrington 220 is stepping into a new dimension of learning. Recently, our district joined a select group of educational leaders from across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana for an exclusive invitation to Purdue University’s new Spatial Computing Lab.

Developed in partnership with Apple, this state-of-the-art hub is designed as a collaborative ecosystem where students create immersive 3D content and faculty explore groundbreaking research methods. By witnessing Purdue’s implementation firsthand, Barrington leadership gained vital insights into the "lessons learned" and best practices for bringing this cutting-edge technology into a PK–12+ environment.

Bringing the Vision to Barrington 220

The timing of this collaboration couldn't be better. Following our district's acquisition of 12 Apple Vision Pro devices last year, we are ready to move from the testing phase to the hands-on phase.

Our goal is simple yet ambitious—to discover ways that spatial computing can redefine the classroom experience. Among other ideas, we want to empower:

• Students to present their ideas in 3D "canvases" and engage with complex subjects through immersive visualization.
• Staff to utilize infinite screen real estate to teach, evaluate, and inspire in ways that were previously impossible.

 Get Involved: Summer U 2026

We know that the best technology is only as effective as the educators who lead it. To support our staff in this transition, we are thrilled to announce an upcoming Summer U course dedicated to the Apple Vision Pro.

This hands-on workshop will allow high school teachers to:

• Experience the hardware and navigate the visionOS interface.
• Collaborate with peers on how to integrate spatial apps into existing curricula.
• Explore new pedagogies that move beyond traditional digital tools.

Keep an eye on the Summer U catalog for registration details. This is your chance to be at the forefront of a new possibility in educational technology.