Success Story

Overcoming Content Overload: Rockwood School District's Digital Transformation with Atomic Search

Molly Wyand

Jul 24, 2024 — 4 min read

The Rockwood School District (RSD) in Eureka, Missouri, faced an overwhelming challenge: managing a vast amount of digital content efficiently within a limited timeframe. With over 20,000 students and more than 3,000 teachers and staff spread across 32 schools, the need for a streamlined, equitable, and accessible digital learning environment was critical.

Enter Brian Reed, the Coordinator of Digital Learning, whose expertise and leadership played a pivotal role in the district's transformation. Through a strategic partnership with Atomic Jolt and the adoption of Atomic Search, Brian and RSD successfully navigated the digital content overhaul, setting a benchmark for other districts and institutions facing similar challenges.

The Challenge

Brian Reed has over 25 years of experience in education and primarily serves as the main Canvas Administrator and digital content design leader at Rockwood. His role involves coordinating and overseeing the district's digital learning environment.

Amidst a pandemic that increased reliance on virtual programs, Brian and his team faced the daunting task of upgrading their Canvas LMS due to Google's proposed discontinuation of support for their current LTI 1.1 integration. The district needed a solution to clean up, update, and enhance its digital content efficiently.

Meet Atomic Search

The partnership between Rockwood School District and Atomic Jolt introduced Atomic Search, a powerful search tool designed to enhance the LMS experience for administrators, teachers, and learners of all levels. Atomic Search allowed the district to search its entire instance of Canvas LMS, including pages, assignments, and files. This capability significantly improved content discoverability and user experience for both teachers and students.

Cleaning Up Online Educational Content

One of the primary projects undertaken was cleaning up and maintaining online educational content. Brian focused on updating templates and curating and removing outdated content. Atomic Search played a crucial role in this process by enabling them to search for specific URLs and Canvas terms, narrow searches by type (e.g., page, assignment), and limit searches to their own courses. This thorough approach ensured that the district's content was up-to-date, relevant, and accessible.

Systematic Changes for Enhanced Equity and Accessibility

The implementation of Atomic Search also emphasized making digital learning more equitable and accessible. By removing outdated integrations and focusing on inclusive design, RSD created a more supportive learning environment. This transformation not only improved the functionality and user experience of Canvas but also boosted student engagement and learning outcomes.

Seamless Google Integration

Each course now features functional Google Assignments and reliable embedded Google content, thanks to the upgrades. Previously, the old LTI 1.1 integration led to unreliable and clunky Google Doc Cloud Assignments. With the new enhancements, teachers and students enjoy a seamless, efficient experience, making it easier to deliver content and demonstrate learning progress. This improvement frees teachers to focus more on providing specific feedback on student progress toward learning standards.

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“I think the biggest impact is on the students' executive functioning skills. By having the content updated and more reliable than before, they don’t have to stress about whether or not the content is working. As a result of the work we were able to do with Atomic Search, we were able to ensure a better learning experience for the students so they can focus on the learning and not the technical aspects of Canvas. I know that once we start our explicit campaign to increase Atomic Search users in our Canvas, the impact will grow exponentially.”

Brian Reed, Coordinator of Digital Learning, Rockwood School District

Key Takeaways

Efficient Content Management: Rockwood's journey demonstrates how a district can effectively manage a vast amount of educational content within a limited timeframe. The use of Atomic Search and updated templates streamlined content management processes, serving as a model for other districts and institutions facing similar challenges.

Role of Partnerships in Educational Innovation: The collaboration between Atomic Jolt and Rockwood School District highlights the importance of partnerships in educational technology. This synergy not only improved the district's digital learning environment but also fostered innovation and enhanced learning outcomes.

Enhanced Equity and Accessibility: By prioritizing equitable and accessible digital learning, Rockwood has set a standard for creating inclusive educational environments. Removing outdated integrations and focusing on inclusive design have paved the way for a more supportive and adaptable learning experience.

Practical Application of EdTech Solutions: Rockwood's experience offers valuable insights into the practical application of EdTech solutions. The session provides actionable advice on implementing tools like Atomic Search to maximize teaching effectiveness and learner engagement, catering to diverse educational needs.

Brian's leadership and the strategic partnership with Atomic Jolt have transformed the Rockwood School District's digital learning environment. By adopting Atomic Search, the district efficiently managed its content, enhanced accessibility, and created a more equitable learning experience. This success story serves as an inspiration and model for other educational institutions striving to overcome content overload and achieve digital transformation.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Brian and his team plan to continue leveraging Atomic Search to maintain and enhance its digital content. The district aims to roll out the tool formally in the Fall and explore additional features like the new Find & Replace feature in Atomic Search to further streamline content management. With a commitment to innovation and collaboration, Rockwood School District is well-positioned to continue leading the way in digital education.

Tips for Effective Search

To make the most out of your Atomic Search subscription and ensure efficient content management, Brian has some effective search strategies and tips for you. First, search for unique code fragments rather than common keywords; this will help narrow down results to the most relevant content. Moving outdated or seldom-used content to a separate sub-account can also keep your main account organized and clutter-free. When dealing with large datasets, filter downloaded sheets to focus on unique courses, ensuring that each piece of content is accounted for. Lastly, if you encounter multiple items on a single page, handle them collectively to save time and streamline the cleanup process. These tips can significantly enhance the search experience and boost overall efficiency in managing digital content.

Take a tour of Atomic Search in Canvas: