iPadnesday: Literacy

Today I met with a group of teachers who were interested in seeking out resources to use on the iPad for Literacy tasks in the classroom. I grouped the resources I was sharing into:

Class Project – Flat Stanley

Challenge – Textropolis, 4 Pics 1 Word, Photo Quiz, Pics and Words, MixTwo, Word Wall, Bluster!

Create/Demonstrate – Creative Book Builder, Toontastic, PuppetPals HD, Sock Puppets, Word Foto, Comic Touch Lite, Fotobabble

Notetaking – Notability, Dragon Dictate, Paperport Notes

Reading – TeachMe, LAZ, Booksy, MyScript Memo, MeeGenius, iBook

Our purpose was to review what apps were available in the above groupings and see how they could be used in the K-12 classroom. The early years teachers loved the Flat Stanley app while the middle – high school teachers really liked Comic Touch lite, Fotobable and Paperport Notes. One of the second language teachers saw a great opportunity to use WordFoto in language acquisition. Check out the more in-depth information provided at http://bit.ly/ipadLiteracy.

 

Top 10s from the Horizon K-12 Report

Each spring, the New Media Consortium publishes a Horizon K-12 Report which examines the emerging technologies and their potential impact on and use in teaching, learning and creative inquiry in the learning environment.

 

An interim report was recently shared at the CoSN (Consortium for School Networking) Conference in San Diego. Below outlines the top 12 emerging technologies, top 10 trends and challenges.

 

Top 12 Emerging Technologies

The three categories of time-to-adoption indicates how long the Advisory Board of the project felt it would be until these technologies would be provided or used in a significant number of schools.

Near-Term Horizon: One Year or Less

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

Cloud Computing

Mobile Learning

Online Learning

Mid-Term Horizon: Two to Three Years

Adaptive Learning and Personal Learning Networks

Electronic Publishing

Learning Analytics

Open Content

Long-Term Horizon: Four to Five Years

3D Printing

Augmented Reality

Virtual and Remote Laboratories

Wearable Technology

 

Top 10 Trends (alphabetical order)

1.      The abundance of resources and relationships made easily accessible via the Internet is increasingly challenging us to revisit our roles as educators.

2.      As the cost of technology drops and school districts revise and open up their access policies, it is becoming increasingly common for students to bring their own mobile devices.

3.      Customized learning is increasingly a goal for schools.

4.      Education paradigms are shifting to include online learning, hybrid learning and collaborative models.

5.      The focus of assessments is shifting from what you know (can memorize) to what you can do (portfolio).

6.      Openness — concepts like open content, open data, and open resources, along with notions of transparency and easy access to data and information — is becoming a value.

7.      People expect to be able to work, learn and study whenever and wherever they want.

8.      Schools are beginning to move away from textbooks to web resources and open source books.

9.      Social media is changing the way people interact, present ideas and information and communicate.

10.   There is a new emphasis in the classroom on more challenge-based, active learning.

Top 10 Challenges (alphabetical order)

1.      The demand for personalized learning is not adequately supported by current technology or practices.

2.      Divides persist.

3.      Faculty training still does not acknowledge the fact that digital media literacy continues its rise in importance as a key skill in every discipline and profession.

4.      Innovating pedagogy is a complex process that requires research into impacts, responsive state of mind to technology changes and understanding what pedagogical strategies can make innovation in pedagogy possible.

5.      K-12 must address the increased blending of formal and informal learning.

6.      Ongoing professional development needs to be valued and integrated into the culture of the schools.

7.      Many activities related to learning and education take place outside the walls of theclassroom and thus are not part of traditional learning metrics.

8.      New models of education are bringing unprecedented competition to the traditional models of education.

9.      Too often it is education’s own processes and practices that limit broader uptake of new technologies.

10.   We are not using digital media for formative assessment the way we could and should.

 

Intentional Leader: Contagious Passion

Monthly Theme: Passion

Week: 4

My professional passion is tied to a core belief that ALL students have an opportunity to learn, to be engaged and to be challenged in the learning environment. I belong to many active educational listservs, read various blogs, follow Twitter feeds and chats, create and host workshops, provide professional learning opportunities for individual, small group and large groups of teachers and administrators and I network with various organizations and institutions. My email inbox, my twitter streams (#edchat, #edtech, #atchat to name a few) are resources that are continually challenging me. My actions and tasks change daily, yet my message needs to be clear with the people I work with – I attempt to help teachers, students and parents obtain the most effective learning environment, best tasks and relevant tools. There are a lot of discussions, some trial and error, some research, and finally, some successes!

 

My dream is to have accessible, achievable and attainable learning for ALL (staff, students, etc.) Although we live in a digitized environment, not all materials are accessible for students. For example, there is a grade 9 student with low vision who uses a Mac in his French Immersion studies. Do you know that even today, this boy cannot access a digital publisher’s copy of a course book that is used (in print) in class? So, for me, it’s really talking with teachers and finding out the student(s) in the class that would do well with access to technology for reading, writing, recording…(a S.E.T.T. framework discussion ensues which allows me to further target the resource(s)/tool(s)) Sometimes it’s forging ahead and making new connections with Alberta Education, or publishers or app developers to ask if they could locate a resource. Sometimes it’s using older technology (CDrom, mp3 player) personalized to the learner so they can participate in class with their peers.

In March, two colleagues and I will be presenting at a CASS/Alberta Education Learning Symposium in mid March regarding Accessibility: Milepost – where are we at now? See our presentation HERE with the participants input as well. Some interesting insights!

 

Making Learning Accessible

As we see various technologies enter into the learning environment, I am excited to see the many opportunities that are now available to all our students. From software, to online programs, to hardware such as netbooks, tablets and even smartphones – all of these tools are offering students the ability to engage with others, their environment and the world. Although this video below is based on a specific tool, the iPad, I would like you to think of all the tools that are now allowing any of students’ VOICES to be HEARD!

 

Twitter Cheat Sheet for Alberta

Over the past few weeks I have been gathering information from various sources around Alberta regarding teachers and school division relevant hashtags. As more and more educators and educational institutions use Twitter for discussions, sharing, networking and events, I believe it’s important for teachers to have access to some good Twitter resources. So….. I created this Twitter Cheat Sheet for Alberta teachers.

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Intentional Leader: Trusted Talents Refine Your Focus

Monthly Theme: Focus

Week 2

Retaining a vision for growth is no easy feat. Any large corporation has stories of CEO’s who were steadfast in their growth vision by tapping into the insights and experiences of the people around them. Having people that you can count on, who know their roles, sharpen their skills and are able to continue the similar focus.

I am ever thankful and reminded daily by the actions of the people that I work with, (the Learning Services team members, IT department, Lead Team group, PSD70 teachers and outside organizations), that I am very lucky to be working in such an open environment. It is an environment where FOCUS is key to success. PSD is filled with people who are passionate about student success. With the amount of initiatives, ideas and innovations that are evolving in the educational atmosphere, I am glad to be working with such caring, compassionate and wise people. I learn something new everyday and I hope that my presence in meetings, workshops and in conversations allow others to learning something new too.

My role is to support administrators and teachers in better understanding the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and integration of technology. At times I even get to work with students, which I enjoy a lot! There are several skills involved in my role:

• Communication – listening, verbal, written
• Research & Development – assessment, seek multiple perspectives, gather information, identify issues
• Digital Literacy
• Multi-tasking – flexibility, adaptability, managing, multiple priorities
• Interpersonal abilities – relate to colleagues, inspire participation
• Leadership/Management skills – motivate, mobilize and coach to meet standards
• Multicultural awareness – diversity in the workplace
• Planning/Organizing – me and others
• Problem solving/Reasoning/Creativity – find solutions
• Teamwork – connect with colleagues

Of the above skills, three stand out for me as being my top three – Communciation, Digital Literacy, Planning/Organizing. These skills allow me to move forward our PSD initiatives, specifically our Educational Technology Initiatives.

Initiative	Department	Timeline	How does this support learning?
Google Apps for Education	Division Principal	2012-2014	Through the opportunities to easily collaborate and promote teamwork within the school division.
Electronic Portfolios (EduBlog)	Division Principal	2012-2014	This will help to inform assessment, build an understanding of digital citizenship and identity, help to build digital literacy, while also helping students to benefit from personal learning networks.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and cloud apps	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Providing students opportunities to learn using their own devices that they are already comfortable with. (Promotes Universal Design for Learning)
SMART Technologies	ERLC Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Engage students through effective use of the technologies
Discovery Education	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Students can research reliable information and then rework it to demonstrate their knowledge in creative ways.  This can be used in a differentiated approach.
Read & Write Gold & other Assistive Technologies	Learning Services	2012-ongoing	Removes barriers to learning
Digital Responsibility/ Citizenship	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-2013	This is a growing need and essential for students to understand and embrace as they are using digital resources at home and in school to communicate, socialize and learn.
Assistive Technologies	Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-2013	Removes barriers to learning
Focus on creating an open culture	Division Principal	2012-2013	Promote Parkland School Division through publishing the positive learning experiences of students and staff through our Twitter account, hashtag, and professional learning through blogging.

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A Successful Ed Tech Strategy

In this day of trying to infuse technology effectively in the learning environment, it is important that stakeholders in education set forth a bold vision.

This morning I had the opportunity to participate in an edWeb.net Webinar entitled “Connecting to Success in Canadian Classrooms: Ed Tech Challenges and Opportunities” where Robert Martellaci from MindShare Learning gave a Canadian Ed Tech context and Keewatin Patrician DSB in southwestern Ontario shared their 1:1 three year project. They had many great things to share about connecting technology to student learning.

* Canadian schools, staff and students are surrounded by technology. Using this technology effectively has become a priority.

* Keewatin Patrician DSB started with a 1:1 pilot three years ago in three classrooms which then went to three schools and is currently found in 23 schools. Lots of support for teacher development with tech teachers, aligning initiatives, seamless integration, school board owned devices (netbooks for students from grades 4-12, iPad pods for K-3 students and laptops for teachers).

* Questions we should be asking ourselves about technology integration in the learning environment:

1) What does an effective tech-enabled learning organization look like, feel like and sound like?

2) How are resources managed and sustained?

3) What are the most relevant and effective professional learning models for teachers?

4) How can student achievement be shown?

WHAT are you doing in your classroom, in your school and in your school division to align current initiatives with effective technology implementation?

 

Convergence between the ET/IT World

ATLE Convergence Conference 2012

From November 14 – 16^th this year I had the opportunity to once again attend the ATLE (Alberta Teacher Leaders Conference). It was different this time since I had the opportunity to be a Member-at-Large on the Conference Committee and also co-created the pre-conference Day of Discovery PD with Discovery Education and ERLC. This is a time for both educational technology enthusiasts and information technicians to gather together under one large roof and examine what’s been happening in schools, where things are heading and sharing the success and challenges as well.

Yes, there is the swag that is offered once registrants come to the conference, but more so, there’s the time to meet with people face to face, learn something new, make new connections and get excited about what is occurring in the educational context within Alberta.

 

PreConference – Day of Discovery

After the all the planning, the stage was set to have Dean Shareski, Darren Kuropatwa and Hall Davidson present. It was a day filled with laughter, engagement and a lot of energy. Take a look at Dean’s great blog write-up for the day HERE.

Keynote:

The Wild Ride from Trees to Bits: What Going Digital Really Means

Sessions:

50 Ways and the Collective Brain

Telling Photo Tales

Making Mobile Media Meaningful

Panel Discussion with Alberta educators and organizations

Resources Smackdown/Demos

Great gift giveaways!

Conference

Balancing my time this year between keynotes, registration desk, sessions, my own presentation, ATLE ProLearn mtg and vendors was a feat in itself. But it takes a huge crew of dedicated people to pull off this huge event and I am very proud to have joined in on all the fun! Here are some brief snippets of my experiences over the few days:

• Drew Dudley’s view on everyday leadership was brilliant. In a previous blog I mentioned that I was excited to hear him in person. His TED talk was brilliant, especially the piece on “lollipop moments”.
• The twitter chatter using the #atle12 hashtag both in and outside the conference
• The QR code game involving participants and vendors was a great way to have people visit and get to know the vendors and bring out a little competitiveness too! (Over 8000 scans, 160 dedicated players.)
• Samuel’s keynote providing much food for thought and discussion among ET and IT.
• Learning about the three stages of technology via Steve Dembo which were: technology is at first ridiculed, then its subverted and finally it’s considered. Lots of great ideas shared for use in the classroom.
• Sharing my thoughts in my session titled – Accessibility to Learning: Removing Barriers for Students
• The use of a completely digital daily schedule from sched.org

(I assure you that every teacher should experience an ATLE conference at least ONCE in their career. Next year’s conference is November 20-22 at Northlands Expo Centre in Edmonton.)

 

Accessibility to Learning: Removing Barriers for Students

My purpose for this PD session offered at the ATLE (Alberta Technology Leaders in Education) Conference was to share the many resources and tools available for students and staff to allow diverse learners to

learn,

explore and

create in their learning environment.

I have three categories of accessibility resources that I am sharing: software, mobile devices and online. For software one can look at Windows 7, Office 2010, Read & Write Gold (v10), Audacity, Dragon Naturally Speaking (v11). With mobile devices, I am showcasing iPad, iPod and smartphone capabilities. And finally, in the online world, Internet Explorer 9, Google Chrome, and Phonecasting.

Please check out my presentation notes at http://bit.ly/ATLEaccess.

I hope that my information gives you some assistance and ideas in supporting students within your schools. And that this support doesn’t have to be expensive, time consuming or difficult.

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The Night and Day at the Museum

No long field trip forms to fill out. No booking a school bus. No need to collect any monies to cover costs. In 2012, classes can visit many Museums virtually! Check out Glenn’s latest blog about 21^st C Museums which talks about the path that Google has started on in curating online historical exhibitions.

Other virtual museums:

• Canadian Museum of Civilization – Virtual Museum of New France, Online Exhibitions
• Glenbow Museum – Online Exhibitions
• Royal Alberta Museum – Online Exhibitions
• Royal BC Museum – Online Exhibitions, Past Online Exhibitions
• Royal Ontario Museum – Online Exhibitions, Past Exhibitions