Tuesday, November 12, 2013

HHS Broadside Article on the 1-1 Program at RMS

I recently had an opportunity to sit down with HHS student Stephen McCarthy to discuss the RMS 1-1 iPad program.

You can read Stephen's editorial here: HHS Broadside "The One-to-One Program: IPads at RMS"


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Notes from Apple Leadership and Learning Event 110513

Apple Leadership and Learning Event
Lepene-Notes
November 5, 2013
Upcoming opportunity: December 12 site visit at New Hampton, 1-1 iPads. See URL.
Apple Video intro "Time for a new conversation."
Panel of three schools:
-Milan Village School: 4-6 iPads, kids keep for three years and then keep the device. Message is about engagement of students.
-Jaffery/Rindge: 7-9 iPads, start with what do we need in the classroom, then figure out device and implementation. Amplify what we want students to do and what we need staff to do to achieve this outcome.
-Pittsfield: 5-12 iPads, student-centered environment. Active engagement, awareness (what they are doing and why they are doing it all the time), interaction, transferability.
-My question about year two lessons: Adjust time allocation for PD, fill gaps in infrastructure, adjust teacher expectations, be mindful of change/developments and chance of ever shifting vision.
My Ten Take-Aways:
1. When you create curricular materials make sure you design them to be accessible to all students.
2. Message and mission needs to be understood and engaged with by all stakeholders. How can technology support this effort?
3. Consider defining an IT position in a 1-1 environment as specific to that environment and device selection. This role is a direct support and expert in the device and usage.
4. Importance of collaborating and communicating with other districts taking the same journey. Model the skills we hope to impart.
5. Skill of using a device as a tool as a competency for diverse learners.
6. Continue conversations norming expectations, need to constantly revisit and refine.
7. School needs to constantly push positive information from experience with effective technology integration.
8. Create and cultivate a school environment where innovation and risk-taking are the norm.
9. Spend some time engaging in conversations about possible philosophical changes as a result of new learning environment (ex. extended learning blocks/periods, challenge-based project learning).
10. SAMR and TPACK models as a primary way of communicating beyond the vision statement.
Other notes:
-Strategic direction creating an individualized learning environment. Show transition across TPACK in flow chart. Devices and software, contents and delivery, personalized learning.
-VPP program updates allow you to pull back licenses.
-What is a redefining application?
-OSX Mavericks update increases access on desktop/laptop to iBooks.
-HMH history book "The Americans" seems impressive as an interactive resource.
Changing role of the educator as described by Dover-Foxcroft:
-Interview staff and students so that I can share and promote their success and work.
-Ask staff who are willing to create widgets within ibooks author to show highlights of student work.
-"The Build" as a way of describing the transition of learners in a 1-1 (students and faculty)
-Ask students for volunteers who might create tutorials after every project. Groups by app and then class and teacher evaluate apps. Guide and support.
-iTunesU as a way to communicate with staff and support tech PD.