Teacher training ideas?/how to integrate more tech into curriculum?

[Matt Baier]

Hi,

 

As I've mentioned earlier, my school (1700 students) is going to have 150-200 iPads next year (2011-2012) for training/experimentation/practice before the whole school goes 1to1 with iPads the year after (2012-2013).

 

It looks like I am going to be given an extra prep period during which I can help other teachers integrate technology into their curriculum.  I am very comfortable with tech in my own classes and am excited to help other teachers when they need it or have ideas but aren't sure how to implement them.

 

However, my classroom work has been based on laptops (macbooks).  We have several carts with class sets that we share. I do not own an iPad so I will need to learn how to use it in lessons before I can adequately help others.

 

• Does anyone have any tips on things you wish that you had known about or known how to do before your school got iPads?

 

After speaking to my principal today, it seems like I am also going to be expected to encourage teachers who are not interested in technology to incorporate it into their lessons anyway.  I am not excited about this.

 

• Does anyone have any tips on encouraging people to integrate more technology into their curriculum, especially people who tend to resist change and new things?

I appreciate any suggestions.

 

thanks

 

Matt

[David Gavin]

I don't have any experience with iPads yet, but regarding your second question: We also have teachers in our school that are not very enthusiastic about using the computers. The main problems are:
- No time: I show them how they can integrate the computer into their existing lesson plans. For example when painting with their kids they can use ArtRage instead of paper and brushes, when reading pupils can record themselves with GarageBand instead of a cassette player,...
This way
- No ideas what to do: In my experience The best approach is personal coaching. Sit down with these teachers and lt them tell you what they plan to do the next week or so. I usually have several ideas how to integrate computers into their lesson plan.
- Too complex: I encourage teachers to begin with small steps. Let only a few kids work with the computers at a time instead of the class as a whole. Use team teaching lessons for computer projects,...

[Sam Gliksman]

I think everyone that has had to train "reluctant" teachers knows that it's a difficult process. It takes time - raising expectations and pushing teachers too far past their comfort level only results in frustration and failure. I've found a couple of simple ways to help them dip their toes into the water:

1. Start a personal or class blog. Set it up for them. It's relatively easy to maintain and people usually get a lot of satisfaction being able to post something and have it appear on the web. I try and encourage them to post their daily agendas, homework etc in their class blog.

2. Help them join a PLN. My personal favorite is Twitter but there are many others choices. Show them how to read and post. Help them get involved.

Culture change takes time but you can push it along by taking care to ensure personal achievement and success.

[Reshan Richards]

Hi

We are starting with an initial set of iPads for our early childhood classrooms.  We offered several in-service days during summer and will be offering a few more training opportunities prior to the start of the year.  What is most helpful is to balance having time both to find apps that connect to existing learning intentions and to spend time looking for examples that teachers may not think to find (as a tech integrator you can do some curating for them).  But the learning intentions have to be clear and the rational for how using the iPads supports their learning in ways that were not possible before is key.

Reshan

 

[Sam Gliksman]

Hi Reshan,

 

Would love to hear what sorts of activities are being planned with iPads in your early childhood classrooms.

 

Sam 

Reshan Richards said:

Hi

We are starting with an initial set of iPads for our early childhood classrooms.  We offered several in-service days during summer and will be offering a few more training opportunities prior to the start of the year.  What is most helpful is to balance having time both to find apps that connect to existing learning intentions and to spend time looking for examples that teachers may not think to find (as a tech integrator you can do some curating for them).  But the learning intentions have to be clear and the rational for how using the iPads supports their learning in ways that were not possible before is key.

Reshan

 

[Jennifer Mitchell]

Hi Matt, I'm in your position too, though I was familiar with iPads before being in the position of training and encouraging other teachers. One thing I've been encouraging to increase familiarity is to show teachers ways they can use their iPads for personal enjoyment, to follow hobby interests, gather news and research, to network. Another winner for me was showing them free resources like iTunes U and free ebook sites like Project Gutenberg. If reluctant teachers can explore the iPad's potential in other areas of their lives, it encourages more practice outside work hours, and helps them see potential in teaching. I might write a bit of a blog here about how our PD has been going. Best Wishes.

[Becky Miller]

Matt,

 

We got iPads last year and I created a website that we use to put our lesson plan ideas on. The site also answers some of the many questions that came up as we introduced the iPad to grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade.  http://secondgradeipad.homestead.com/index.html

 

Becky

[Chris Taylor]

I am an eLearning Coordinator and with a team including an eLearning team we are in the process of an iPad rollout to all of our college 790 students and about 60 teaching staff. We deployed the iPads to the staff first and as suggested we got staff to explore the device using apps that reflected their interests,hobbies etc. We also run workshops for staff that are run by staff who have skills using the iPad. We have support of an educational consultant from apple that is providing the wow factor of what iPads an do.We are in the process of a sand pit trial with our year 9's .We developed a core team of students to help with the deployment from unpacking the boxes to working with a small group of their peers to configure the device,connect to the WiFi etc. The core team of students will assist with rollouts to other year levels and assist with parent evenings. At the same time there is a display in the stateroom that has 3 parts - favorite apps,discoveries,and questions. Each staff meeting 1 or 2 staff present an app they have used in their classroom and any questions are shared .I also email staff any info that I find and I meet with staff on an individual basis to assist.Next step is to work within the classrooms with staff. Hope this helps you. Chris Taylor