iPad for Content Creation

Here's a blog post that I found that I totally agree with:

How an iPad is a More Powerful Content-Creation Device Than a Laptop.

Dec21 by andrewdouch

That the iPad is a great content-consumption device has never been disputed. But just 30 months after its launch the iPad is now in some ways a more powerful content-creation device than a laptop in the hands of students in the classroom.

When the iPad was introduced in 2010, my school (Wanganui Park Secondary College) was one of a handful in Victoria that included them on the booklist for the following year, a move that raised eyebrows! Critics decried the iPad as “a content-consumption but not a content-creation device”.

Finish reading here...

iPad Implementation from St Hilda's School in Southport, Queensland

iPad implementation from EDtalks on Vimeo.

Habits of Highly Effective Teachers Who Use Tech

Click on graphic to see bigger.

Here's a blog post that might be helpful:

Six Tips to Help Teachers Move From TechnoPHOBE to TechnoFAB! 

More 21st Century Resources

Check out this blog post with a list of 21st Century Learning topics:

What’s hot for innovative educators around the globe

This is a good one too:

6 considerations for addressing the “what” and “how” of mobile learning

It's a good addition to the how Has Teaching Changed post from April 26, 2012.

Videos

Debra shared these two videos from Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything Video of the Month:

iPad 1 to 1 Resources

Argazkiak.org | iPyD ©
cc-by-sa: Joseba TNT

As we prepare to possibly become an iPad district where every student has their own iPad, a 1 to 1 environment, let's learn from those who have already done this.

If anyone has any other links and resources please share them here.

Miguel Guhlin shared this link with me EC3 - ECISD Technology.

It has links to that district's iPad 1:1 deployment. This is a great resource. They even share their budget showing what they purchased. This will help us see what is needed. They also share their timeline. I know we don't have to plan ours the same way but it's also helpful to have an idea of what others do so that we aren't reinventing all the wheels.

Here's a cool classroom rubric from EC3 to determine the ways technology is being used using SAMR: 
Classroom Learning Activity Rubric (ECISD)

 Here are some other resources I've collected:

• What We Learned: A 1:1 iPad Reflection | Edutopia
  
  
• The Innovative Educator: A Friendly Guide to Deploying iPads at Your School
  
  
• Measuring the Success of 1-to-1 Initiatives « Ed Tech Ideas
  
  
• The Innovative Educator: Considering BYOT / BYOD next year? Get started with this sample policy & answers to FAQs
  
  
• Keeping Students Engaged in a 1:1 Project-Based Classroom | Expat Educator
  
  
• The Truth About Tablets: Educators are getting iPads and ereaders into students’ hands—but it’s not easy — The Digital Shift
  
  
• Google Doc with many FAQ's and other useful links
  
  
• 2011 CASTLE Brief 001 - 1to1 Laptop Programs
  
  
• 1 to 1 resources | 1 to 1 Schools
  
  
• One-to-One Resource | 1 to 1 Schools
  
  
• What do Students Think of Using iPads in Class? Pilot Survey Results - iPads in Education
  
  
• iLearn Technology » Blog Archive » ISTE 10 Recap: From Add-on Technology to Essential Technology: Constructing a 1-to-1 Aware Curriculum
  
  
• Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation
  
  
• sig1to1 - home
  
  
• Maine Learning Technology Initiative - Maine Department of Education
  
  
• Cybraryman Internet Catalogue
  
  
• One to One Computing Blueprint
  
  
• St. Marys City Schools Mobile Learning Technology
  
  
• burlingtonhigh121 [licensed for non-commercial use only] / 1:1 Resources and Links
  
  
• 1:1 Laptop Schools - A place where 1:1 laptop schools can collaborate, inspire, and motivate
  
  
• 1:1 in Practice at Sinarmas World Academy
  
  
• ICTeD Services: Netbook Links for Teaching & Learning in the 1 to 1 Classroom
  
  
• One-to-one computing programs only as effective as their teachers | One-to-one | eSchoolNews.com
  
  
• 1 to 1 sites worth visiting - 1 to 1 Schools
  
  
• 1 to 1 Schools
  
  

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

What is Beyond the Textbook?

As we start to transform our schools to prepare students for the 21st century we have to ask ourselves how the tools of the 19th and 20th centuries are changing. One of those such tools is the textbook. What will the textbook look like in the 21st century? In other words, what should the textbook look like in our classrooms right now?
Here are some resources that I collected on such conversations: 

Beyond the Textbook

You'll find some great reading there to get you thinking and to help us make decisions on how to best meet the needs of our students.

Virus Problem is Serious!

Here's an article Jeff shared on what happened in Microsoft's backyard to a school where all students have their own PC:

Windows virus causing havoc for school district in Microsoft’s backyard

Heads Up Chimacum

At our District Tech Committee meeting today we started discussing the technology needs of our staff. Many teachers are working with equipment that is not up to par to put it lightly. One issue facing our different buildings is whether to purchase Mac or PC laptops. Mac laptops are more expensive and often aren't needed for the typical user (meaning if all you're doing is using the Internet, creating documents, and doing grades a PC does all that for much cheaper). Yet we still have people who are comfortable using Macs and are losing efficiency when given a PC and not trained on how to use Windows vs the Mac OS.

In the near future there seems to be coming a solution that would solve our Mac vs PC laptop problem. Our school board is very excited about having our district participate in an Apple leasing program to put an iPad into every student's hands. Picture that for a moment.

Now think of how that will transform your classroom.

Now let's step back and picture something else. Instead of replacing your broken down Mac laptop or your malfunctioning Dell laptop with a new laptop, you get an iPad instead. Maybe you still need a powerful machine so a cheaper than a laptop desktop computer was purchased for your desk area but your main device was an iPad.

What do you think? (Share your thoughts in the comments section of this post.)

This "plan" is still in the early stages but there is much excitement about going forward with it. And don't worry, this time machines won't just be placed in your hands without training. Oh no. This time there will be a deployment plan, maybe starting with a grade level, say 6th grade for an example (nothing set in stone). So every 6th grader gets an iPad (to take home even). Every teacher gets an iPad (not just the 6th grade teachers). Staff development includes PLC-type groups of middle and high school teachers. Did I say high school? Yes, because in a few years your freshman will all have iPads. This gives us all time to prepare for the onslaught of connected, mobile deviced kids! And this training doesn't have to be on top of all that you're doing already. This could even, sometimes, be embedded in our TPEP work since it all centers around powerful teaching and learning.

Feel the vision.

Let that sink in.

What do you think?

PS On a separate note I heard that the new District Website, which includes new building websites, is almost ready to go live! It might even go live before we head out for Winter Break! I can't wait to see it.

Free University Classes?

Read this article from the Seattle Times about university classes that are being offered online for FREE!

Why some of the best universities are giving away their courses

21st Century learning all the way!

BYO...

BYO stands for Bring Your Own and is usually follow by D for Device or T for Technology. Maybe the future of tech in schools, with shrinking budgets, lies in our students bringing their own tools much like they do with paper and pencils. Here's another resource I found on BYOD and BYOT:

BYOD - Criteria for Implementation Success (click on the title to read the blog post)

Also see, How Has Teaching Changed for more ideas.

Has Teaching Changed?

There's all this talk about the 21st century and how teaching needs to change to accommodate the new world we're living in. Has education changed enough for the 21st century? Does our teaching need to change? How? Are there any parts of traditional teaching that we should keep?

The 21st Century Teaching Google Doc (click here for Google Doc link) has some great resources. Please feel free to read through and add your ideas.

Also see Beyond the Textbook for great discussions about the next steps for textbooks.

Here's an embedded copy of the document:

Feel free to add to this document.

Purpose of this Blog

Here are a couple of ideas:


This blog would have two purposes:
1) serve as a model of how information is shared electronically and
2) it would help the committee to get on the same page and do some thinking between meetings, which would give us a focus at the meeting. (Tech Plan draft on Google Docs)

What do you think? Do you have anything to add?

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

Development of the technology plan and implementation of the plan should enable parents, educators, students and community members to benefit from the investment in technology and our goal is to have all represented on the committee.

Long-term role of the Committee:
The District Technology Professional Learning Community is a long standing PLC, which is constantly evolving. Representation for this Professional Learning Community is ideally made up of a student, building representatives, technology department personnel, an administrator and a parent. Committee membership is a year long commitment, renewable each school year. To serve on the committee, all that is needed is a letter (or email) of interest sent to the District Technology Supervisor. As a committee member, you will be the liaison between the district and your building. In this role, you will be asked to update the district committee on the implementation of your building technology plan, as well as communicate district level committee decisions to your building technology committee and staff. District level technology committee meetings are held at least once a month throughout the school year.

Vision Statement

The Chimacum School District is committed to an active student centered learning environment. Technology, through skilled and developed use, empowers students, staff, and community to access, utilize, and communicate information globally. The effective use of technology will assist students in becoming perceptive and discerning individuals, critical problem-solvers, contributing members of society, and lifelong learners.

“Specifically, we envision that technology is available and effectively supported for all students and staff:

• To provide global access to information
• To meet the curricular  needs of all learners
• To provide access to the general curriculum
• To refine critical thinking skills and foster creativity
• To provide a medium for expression and communication
• To collect, assess, and share performance information
• To improve the effectiveness of administrative tasks
• To provide skills and proficiencies necessary for the workforce

When integrated into instruction, technology will support new strategies for teaching and learning by:

• addressing diverse learning styles,
• accommodating individual learning rates,
• encouraging cooperative learning,
• helping students accept responsibility for their learning,
• providing the means to communicate globally, and
• improving academic achievement in all areas.”

Goal 1: Student Technology Literacy

Statement: By the spring of 2013, 75% or more of 8th grade students will achieve Tier 2 or 3 proficiency in the use of technology to build and share knowledge to improve and enhance learning in all subject areas and experiences.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 2: High School Student Technology Literacy

Statement: By the spring of 2013, Chimacum High School will provide student capacity in the use of technology for the presentation of senior projects.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 3: Technology Proficiencies of Administrators, Teachers and Librarians

Statement: : By the spring of 2013, 75% or more of Chimacum educators will reach Proficient level as outlined in the state Proficiency standards.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 4: Technology Integration Skills of Teachers

Statement: By the spring of 2013, 50% or more of Chimacum educators will exhibit Tier 2 or higher technology skills as outlined in the Technology Integration into the classroom indicators.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 5: Essential Conditions for Technology Integration and use in the classroom

Statement: Classrooms will be equipped with the technology to support student and staff mastery of state technology tiers and competencies.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 6: Community Connection

Statement: Improve community connection by providing clear and consistent web site content and promoting parent/teacher collaboration using technology resources.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.