She’s had her computer for three weeks…
Tomorrow I have the honor of presenting at our school PTSA meeting which is solely going to be centered around one topic: technology. I love it when topics are so broad. Really, we could talk about anything and everything under the sun. What scares me a bit is that we are going to spend too much time talking about the stuff that really doesn’t matter so much.
Recently, I blogged about Apple Remote Desktop and talked about it with my PLN on Twitter. I heard the voices loud and clear where many said that ARD only distracts us from the important work that we are lucky enough to do with our students… making connections, integrating technology, developing our students into true global citizens. Tomorrow, I feel like many of the parents will want to talk about parental controls and screening software such as Apple Remote Desktop. While these topics deserve a conversation, I want to focus on what our students have been doing during the first three weeks of our 1:1 rollout program.
Because of the new software and the new server, our students have been turning work in digitally to teachers. The teachers have been giving feedback on student work digitally from highlights to recording their comments in Garageband and placing them on the student work. The teachers have then been returning work to the kids digitally.
Language teachers have kids learning beginning Mandarin and all of a sudden saying things like “I like apples” is an interesting statement and the kids are engaged. Why? Because technology has increased engagement across the board.
Science teachers have students creating talking worksheets for vocabulary and give them the option to design a product which displays their knowledge about Biospheres. This designing a product was an OPTION for the students. Guess what? Over 80% of the class took their teacher up on the offer even though the technology component didn’t impact their grade. Cassie has only had her computer for three weeks and look what she was able to do…
I’m hoping that the conversation around “watching” students will be short tomorrow because I have lots to celebrate on behalf of my students and teachers!
Leave your comments here for Cassie and I will share them with her!
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On a side note: Congratulations to U-Tech Tips contributor David Gran and his lovely wife Kim on the arrival of their new baby girl!
Cassie – How creative you are! I love how you made yourself into two different characters. Way to take a topic like the biosphere and make it really interesting. I will show this to my computer digital storytelling classes to encourage them want to use our digital video cameras. For some reason they are nervous to video tape themselves! I will also share with my science teacher who loves having her students use technology! Super work.
Kim,
Thanks for the comment about Cassie’s work in her science class! I’ve passed on the comment to her and she is just beaming!
Amanda
Hi Amanda
What grade is your one-to-one lap top roll out program taking place in? I teach Grade 5 in Toronto & we’re looking at piloting one-to-one iTouches next year. Just curious! Cassie’s project is fantastic!
Christine
Hi Christine,
Thanks so much for the comment about Cassie’s project – I will be sure to pass it on to her. Our school has done our initial 1:1 rollout in Grades 7-10. Next year we will add Grade 6 to the bunch and the Grade 5 classes will turn into a 1:2 program. Your 1:1 iTouch program will be a great pilot project for sure! I look forward to reading about your experiences preparing for program!
Amanda
Amanda, yes, I think we’ve discovered that the overwhelming benefits of 1:1 implementation can sometimes get ‘lost’ during the more experimental phases or challenges of getting technology and creativity into the hands of every student. Thanks for the focus on ‘all that is good’. The last thing any technology program needs is to get bogged down in ‘what’s not working’, or playing into the hands of negativity or paranoia. Like any good scientific (or sociological) experiment our program needs to look for successful/proven theories, and then to modify or innovate in areas that don’t produce positive results that are good for our learners. Thanks for experimenting, sharing, and staying abreast of a flexible, creative 21st century learning environment.
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