Have you ever heard of a Collaborative Learning Environment?

  Many of us have tried to get our students to learn together and learn from each other, yet many of us have yet to take advantage of the technology that makes this even more possible.  Collaborative Learning Environments allow students to make connections to those outside of their classroom, whether it's authors, scientists or other students across the world.  Through the many options available students can pool their resources to access the best opportunities for learning.

  This last year I was introduced to one such Collaborative Learning Environment called Edmodo.  This website allows teachers to connect to students by uploading assignments, managing discussions and more.  I have yet to use this resource with my students but am excited by its potential.  Just this last year the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio was the winner of our state's Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award.  Through Edmodo students have been connecting with this book in ways that cannot be replicated in the classroom.  I would like to use this resource this year at my school, particularly in the upper grades where students are already working in literature circles to discuss their books.  This would allow the students to make connections with their peers outside of school and give them more opportunities to have deeper discussions while in class.  I would recommend this resource to schools who want to work on embedding technology into the curriculum as this is an available avenue to allow students and teachers to make connections easily and effortlessly.  The biggest challenge will be setting up your classroom database of students and the training for logging in.  Please visit my Diigo links below to find more about this project as well as using Edmodo in your classroom. 

Now that you've got it, what do you do with it?

The Deployment of Technology Initiatives

At times we've discussed how lucky we are to have some new technology brought into our schools, only to have it sit in the corner and collect dust because no one is trained on how to use this technology.  Money is being spent everywhere to purchase technology but very little is being spent to show teachers how to use it.  I spent some time over the last few days looking at two technology deployment strategies that share plans for how to successfully implement technology into schools, from the idea stage to deployment.  The two plans I looked at are Deploying ICTs in Schools: A framework for identifying and assessing technology options, theirbenefits, feasibility and total cost of ownership and Tablets in the Classroom A Practical Guide to Planning and Deploying Large-Scale Tablet Initiatives.  In looking at these two plans I saw some successful elements of planning and deployment that caught my attention.
 

Deploying ICTs in Schools 

In Deploying ICTs in Schools we learn about a variety of different possible technology initiatives, including the benefits and deployment options for each of them.  This report looks at the use of mobile devices in classrooms by teachers and students versus the use of devices in computer labs.  Through the discussion we learn that evidence suggest that devices used directly in the classroom positively affect learning more.  This helps support our school's 1:1 initiative.  The concerns found in this report about devices in classrooms is space and possible lack of teacher training.  Despite these concerns the recommendation is still a 1:1 device to student ratio. The report finds that students with stronger computer skills score higher in mathematics.  Throughout the report we learn about defining clear learning objectives, assessing the benefits of technology, assessing the purpose of technology and choosing which device/ program best suits ones needs, access to technology, supporting infrastructure, training, maintenance and support.  

Tablets in the Classroom

In Tablets in the Classroom one of the most successful recommendations I found was making sure that you plan for professional development time for teachers to use the products.  They also recommend in a high school setting you could even gather student help to serve as help desk personnel and in class media assistants, as long as you train them appropriately. I do not work in a high school, so I don't have students of the age ready to take on these tasks, but it does highlight the possibility for using all of your resources, whether it's paraeducators, parents, and volunteers.  There are also some students  who are comfortable helping their classmates with questions, which can be a big help.  This handbook goes through the steps in detail of what to expect for each stage of deployment and offers some great advice to help you along the way.  It also has checklists for each step including Planning and Strategy, Evaluate Tablets and Tablet Infrastructure, Develop a Budget and Find Funding Prepare Students and Parents, Procure, Deploy and Integrate Technology, Professional Development and Training,  and Measure Outcomes. With the checklist you can make sure you've covered all necessary steps and you may discover some you forgot!

In looking at these different reports I was reminded that every process has a beginning middle and and.  We cannot start with an idea and move straight to implementation we need to plan out all of the steps involved in order to achieve success.  So often I get excited about a new idea and want to move straight to implementation, but I need to take a step back and start from the beginning...

Successful and Unsuccessful Implementation of ISTE's Essential Conditions

Using Technology In Our Schools...Are we Using it Correctly?

It’s amazing that I’ve spent a whole year as a Technology Integrationist at my school and haven’t yet come across ISTE’s Essential Conditions document which can be found here.  These conditions are to be used to argue for technology in our schools. In looking at technology plans that were created in response to state and national technology plans I was able to find some ways that schools are successfully implementing these essential conditions.  I also found some ways that these essential conditions need to be supported more fully. 

Successful Implementation of Essential Conditions:

#1 A Shared Vision

 Any vision that you will work to make real needs support.  The more people you have on your team to support your vision the more successful you will be.  The plan I looked at successfully incorporated ideas from the staff, leadership team, students, parents and their community.  In order for other Conditions to have success if you do not have buy in from all involved parties you will be unsuccessful. 

#2 Equitable Access

In order to see success with technology in schools students and teachers need to have access to learn the skills necessary to use it.  The plan I looked at has achieved access for most all of its students and staff through their 1 to 1 initiative.  Most schools have already implemented a 1 to 1 program, while the last school is almost there.  Their plan states that most all teachers are also 1 to 1, since in order for students to learn the necessary 21^st century skills, teachers need to use technology successfully. 

#3 Assessment and Evaluation

In order for any plan to be successful it needs to evaluate it success and adapt to challenges it faces.   The plan I looked at acknowledges that it is a living document that will be updated.  It also discusses how it will evaluate teachers and students to measure its successes and failures. 

Unsuccessful Implementation of Essential Conditions:

Skilled Personnel/ Ongoing Professional Learning

One of the most important Conditions asks that teachers be skilled in the uses of technology, and that in order to be skilled they are supported through their district with professional learning opportunities.  The plan I looked at promised to allow for 10 hours of professional learning in the field of technology each year.  I know that despite this lofty goal it did not take place.  I know that turn over with personnel in both the faculty and leadership team has allowed this goal to be forgotten.  I would remind others of this goal.

Another part of this plan that I would want to call attention to is the discussion of posting the plans goals not only on the district website, and in the newsletter, but also on the school walls.  I think putting these goals in a visible space could be helpful in reminding us daily what we are working toward.

Who I admire as a leader

Who I Admire As a Leader

The person that I admire most is a leader in my school district. I have worked in over five schools over the last ten years and he is the most caring and encouraging person I've worked with.  What I like most is that he listens to what everyone around him has to say even someone like me who is new to the team. He has made me feel welcome and appreciated.  He always has new ideas to change for the better and seems to feel that if everyone is working together positively there will be more acceptance of change.  He is not afraid to delegate jobs to others even when he knows he can do it. He's not afraid to let others shine. I admire him because he is a strong leader who is active in the school and never makes me feel anxious because he's around.