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by Jean Tower

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Last week at the METAA Technology Directors' Professional Development Day, I heard something that was "just in time" for me. I'm sure you are all well-versed in "just in time learning" where the concept is that the learner's need is what drives the delivery of information or knowledge. Well, I did not even know I needed the analogy I heard, but I have since used it several times and have adopted it as a useful analogy.

One of the speakers from Apple Computer said, in an off-hand comment, something to the effect that we all knew teachers who were speed boats, tugs boats, row boats, or anchors, and that the tug boats were the ones who were not as fast and flashy as the speed boats, but who brought others along. I have looked for a reference to this online and have not found the source, so if you know the source, please share it in a comment.

Here's why it is so timely. I am working on a professional development plan (a proposal, really) and a keystone of what I would like to implement is to use more "train the trainer" initiatives. We would provide more extensive training to some teachers who would, in turn, provide ongoing training and professional development for their peers.

As I talk my colleagues through the proposal and brainstorm about who might want to volunteer to become a resident expert, I use the analogy, and since I did not find a source online, I have expanded it myself.

The speed boats are the teachers who will grab many new things in technology and will run with them right away. They are the ones on the cutting edge, ready to take risks, run pilots, and talk about their exploits in the teachers' room. Most teachers, though, are not willing to follow the speed boats. They imagine that the speed boats have the technology special sauce recipe - they know things and can do things mere mortals cannot. The speed boats are the ones I lean on to tell me how new and cutting edge technologies might be useful in teaching and learning.

The tug boats are not as fast as the speed boats. They are not jumping to use every new technology that comes along. They adopt more slowly, but then their progress is more slow and sure. Tug boats have credibility with colleagues - others can see themselves in the tug boat's shoes - if they can do it, I think I can. The tug boats will bring others along. The tug boats are perfect resident experts and are great to select for the "train the trainer" programs we want to institute. It is even better if they are seen as very expert classroom teachers in general.

Row boats are lagging behind the speed boats and tug boats. They don't resist technology per se; they are just a little more hesitant and are waiting for reports of success from the faster boats. They are ready to adopt technologies that are tried and true and want compelling evidence that shows their students will benefit before they are ready to use a new technology. They are not going to be the movers and shakers, but for systemic change, it is important to bring them along, and the tug boats can help with that.

Anchors. We all have some anchors. They have no intention of moving and will tell you so. Showing them the successes of tug boats does little to sway them and, in my experience, they usually remain anchors. Luckily, I have met very few of them in my years in public schools.

Tagged as: just in time

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Last week at the METAA Technology Directors' Professional Development Day, I heard something that was "just in time" for me. I'm sure you are all well-versed in "just in time learning" where the concept is that the learner's need is what drives the delivery of information or knowledge.

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Saturday - May 3 2014

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From Thursday, April 4 to Saturday, April 6 the Highlander Institute, the Christensen Institute, and the Learning Accelerator will showcase the best classroom, school, and district implementers from across the nation at our 2019 Blended & Personalized Learning Conference in Providence RI.

Unlike many conferences throughout the year, this event is a chance for educators and leaders to discuss blended learning as it exists today on the ground - both in terms of the day-to-day implementation in blended classrooms, and the strategies and systems that have effectively supported replication and scale across schools and districts.

Registration for BPLC19 will open on October 1, 2018

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Save the Date: Join us in Providence for BPLC19 from April 4 - 6, 2019 Announcing BPLC 2019! From Thursday, April 4 to Saturday, April 6 the Highlander Institute, the Christensen Institute, and the Learning Accelerator will showcase the best classroom, school, and district implementers from across the nation at our 2019 Blended & Personalized ...

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1 to 1 Computing: One Classroom at a Time

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1 to 1 Computing: One Classroom at a Time

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West Warwick Public Schools

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1 to 1 Computing: One Classroom at a Time

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This site is the landing page for the WWPS 1 to 1 Computing: One Classroom at a Time website.

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Chariho 1:1 | Chariho Regional School District

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Serving the Communities of Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton in Southern Rhode Island

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eSchool News

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Technology holds great promise to transform teaching and learning: It allows for more personalized instruction, higher levels of student engagement, and instant assessment of students' skills-givin...

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George Couros

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Posted by Eric Sheninger

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Cross-posted at the Huffington Post.

As we continue to advance in the digital age schools and districts are beginning to re-think pedagogy and learning environments by instituting either 1:1 device programs or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. In my opinion, schools that wish to create the most relevant and meaningful learning culture will go in one of these directions. It is tough to argue the potential impact of either program that is implemented diligently and with a focus on learning that will not result in the enhancement of essential skills sets that our students need to succeed in today's digital world. Probably the most significant impact, either 1:1 or BYOD can have is in the area of teaching digital responsibility, citizenship, and the creation of positive footprints online. After all, in the real world that we are preparing our students for, technological literacies and proficiencies are the cornerstones of numerous career paths.

Image credit: Tony Vincent learninginhand.com

The decision on which way to go is usually determined by finances, which is unfortunate for those schools and districts who have their hearts set on getting a device in the hands of each and every student. Competition resulting from the continuous evolution of tablets, laptops, and now Chrome books, puts schools in a better position to make large-scale investments in mobile technology. In theory and on paper, a 1:1 program seems to be the best program for schools wanting to integrate technology on a macro level to enhance teaching and learning. Advocates for 1:1 programs will claim that it is the only way to go as it ensures equitable access to all students regardless of socioeconomic status.
With each student possessing a device, collaborative work using Web 2.0 tools is a reality for all students, both in an out of school, provided there is Internet access at home. In this day and age, finding a location with free WiFi is not such a difficult task. Maintenance becomes less of a headache for the IT department, as they only have to worry about one type of device. It also figures to entail a more streamlined approach when it comes to providing professional development to staff so that the devices are consistently utilized to support student learning.
The general case I make for 1:1 programs above is compelling, but is it the best option for our students today? The more I read about others' thoughts on this and reflect on the BYOD program we have instituted at New Milford High School, I am beginning to think that 1:1 programs are not necessarily the best option for our students. My main reason for this shift in thought is why would we want to pigeonhole our students to one single device and/or platform? Is that reminiscent of the real world that we are supposedly preparing them to flourish and succeed in? The fact is many students own and are comfortable with their devices. The digital divide in schools becomes smaller when bold districts, schools, and educators work to effectively integrate the technology that has been available for years outside their walls. BYOD has the ability to save districts money, but the real impact comes in the form or engagement and empowerment of students to learn on their terms. I have grown quite tired of the myriad of excuses to not move towards BYOD because it can and will have a positive impact with the right mindset, training, and support.
It makes sense to me to create a technology-rich learning environment that leverages available technology with that, which the students already own. This is what we have done at my school and experienced a great deal of success. In addition to BYOD, students and teachers have access to three PC labs, one iMac lab, one Macbook cart, one PC cart, and one netbook cart. The equity issue with BYOD in classrooms has been overcome with school purchased technology and the use of cooperative learning after my teachers determine which device(s) each student possesses and brings to school on a regular basis. In my eyes we are accomplishing the same goals, for the most part, as we would if a 1:1 program had been instituted. Students have access to technology and are using it on a daily basis to communicate, collaborate, create artifacts of learning, problem solve, think critically, become more technologically proficient, and develop a greater global awareness. The should most certainly be able to use it to replace more archaic forms of technology (i.e. pencil and paper) if they wish.
I am extremely interested to hear what others think about 1:1 vs. BYOD in schools. Do you think one is better than the other and if so why? If you are considering going down one of these paths, which one would you lean towards?

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Cross-posted at the Huffington Post. As we continue to advance in the digital age schools and districts are beginning to re-think pedagogy and learning environments by instituting either 1:1 device programs or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. In my opinion, schools that wish to create the most relevant and meaningful learning culture will go in one of these directions.

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Going 1:1? How Would You Respond To Comments Like This?

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Going 1:1? How Would You Respond To Comments Like This?

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Connected Principals

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I had the opportunity to appear on National Public Radio's Here and Now Program last week along with one of our students to talk about our 1:1 iPad program here in Burlington at our high school. The segment was titled Educator Answers Your Questions On iPads In The Classroom. While the interview went well, I really enjoyed reading the comments from listeners who choose to enter their feedback. Our first appearance last March resulted in 122 comments and while this year's appearance prompted a bit less feedback, I think it is important for people who pursue these types of initiatives to be ready to respond to comments like the one below.

For about three thousand years or more all that was needed for learning and writing was some sort of pencil. Plato never wrote his master piece The Republic on an iPAD. Leonardo Di Vinci never used and iPAD. Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa did not use an iPAD to write his Sicilian masterpiece The Leopard and Hemingway never wrote A Farewell To Arms with on a iPAD. Pencil and paper are a thousand times cheaper, yet we continue to spend my tax money on iPADs which don't seem to improve learning, or on car race tracks as part of the Fiscal Mythical Myth phony deal which produced a modicum for revenue to pay down deficits. Apparently if a young person at school does not have access to an iPAD he or she can't learn! The simple process of using pencil and paper is good for students. This simple process exercises and induces the brain growth plus coordination of other areas of a young persons developing body including learning how to write. So what does a young person really for a quality foundation to learn? He or she needs a grownup at home to help them with their after school home work. To many households in America have two people working and are to tired to help their children with their homework. Really, this is just a slick promotion for selling Apple products (which are quit good) which in turn make money for investors and does not guarantee success in the class room.

While there are a number of predictable questions that you will need to answer in regards to WHY

you support such a financially significant initiative, the one above is one that is common from taxpayers who don't want to spend the money necessary to put modern resources in the hands of teachers and students. I know I did not respond to all of the arguments that were made and I am not even saying that my comments were "the right answer." The point is that schools and/or individuals entering into this type of an endeavor need to be prepared to provide a response that they are comfortable with. Of course, the best part is that we have a growing number of schools creating concrete evidence of what can happen when these initiatives are implemented thoughtfully.

As I conclude with my response below, I am wondering how others would respond to this type of comment?

I agree with some of what you say, but the point is that none of the creators of classic work that you mentioned had the opportunity to use technology like an iPad. While I have no problem with pencil and paper or someone who prefers to get a task done with those tools, I think we have to face the fact that the world has changed and that the jobs that our students will be working in will probably not be employing paper and pencils. Learning happens and it happens in many more ways than what you and I were programmed to think in our traditional experiences. Having said this, I think that the role of public education is to prepare students for the real world. The fact of the matter is that the people outside of our schools, in the real world, are using these tools more and more. My doctor walks into the exam room with an iPad in his hand and the pilot who flew the last plane I traveled on also utilized an iPad in lieu of his old flight manual. Whether we like it or not, I think that the our students need experiences utilizing modern resources like tablets or whatever comes next. While I do not think technology can be used to do everything (i.e. DaVinci's masterpieces), I am pretty sure these great minds woud have taken
advantage of modern technology. In fact, I am thinking that Plato would have been much happier with a pencil that had an eraser instead of something along the lines of a metal stylus that was probably in his hands at the time.
In regards to the change that has occurred with families in our world today, I do not think we can blame technology for that. My belief is that we can utilize some of the technologies we have available to keep families connected in a time when so many more factors keep them apart. While nothing can replace the physical presence of a family member or loved one, we need to be thankful that we have ways to stay connected when we can't all
be together in the same place.
That reminds me, I need to facetime my son to see how his day went at school today. It's so much better than a text or phone call. I am thinking Alexander Graham Bell would approve?!

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Going 1:1? How Would You Respond To Comments Like This?

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I had the opportunity to appear on National Public Radio's Here and Now Program last week along with one of our students to talk about our 1:1 iPad program here in Burlington at our high school. The segment was titled Educator Answers Your Questions On iPads In The Classroom.

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Burlington Public Schools

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We have been in school 11 days so far and after reading an article in T.H.E Journal titled "Lessons from an iPad Rollout" I realized it was time to reflect and share some of what has happened her at BHS thus far.

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Creativity and Innovation Support Common Core

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Why? Bridging formal and informal learning "the use of personally owned devices bridges formal and informal learning and gains immediate traction for increased use of technology in schools." Develop 21st century learning skills (ISTE nets for Students) Communication and collaboration Research and information Digital citizenship Critical thinking Technology operations Creativity and Innovation Support Common Core curriculum technology strands "Focus on the tasks versus the technology or software."

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Resources provided to assist the implementation of Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) throughout the Forsyth County Schools System.

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Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.

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@WriteS_olutions @lzmcguire pic.twitter.com/wDVpOzF574
— Gino Sangiuliano (@GinoSangiuliano) July 11, 2013

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6 BYOD Discussions Every School Should Have

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6 BYOD Discussions Every School Should Have

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edutopia

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We've been in BYOD mode for half a year, and I've already shared some best practices for the classroom with you. Putting on my IT hat, here are some of the things I've learned that you should consider as you work through your own BYOD plans and implementation.

1. What Platform Works Best with Your Network Configuration?

If you know what the majority of your students and faculty are using, it is helpful to disclose what your BYOD network is optimized for. Apple Devices? Windows? Chrome/Google Apps? Clearly communicate this with parents so that they can make an educated decision.

Why? You may have noticed that most manufacturers have their natural focus just because of who they are. Microsoft Apps will be more robust on Windows and Surface, Apple on iOS and Mac, Google on Chromebooks. But interoperability is essential. For example, if you pick OneNote for your school-wide notebook service, you'll want to say that you're optimized for Microsoft hardware. Or if you select Evernote, you might want to let students know that the Evernote Touch App is not as robust on Surface RT devices. (Read my previous post for more on apps.)

2. Is Your SIS Mobile-Ready and Multiplatform?

Your student information system (SIS) should have apps on iOS and Droid devices, plus Windows RT access. Test and make it happen so that all students can have access to their grades.

3. Is Your LMS Mobile-Ready and Multiplatform?

By this point, a learning management system (LMS) is almost essential for any successful BYOD environment. While teachers can make QR codes to share links, putting them into an online classroom is easier. Whether it's there for checking homework or turning in assignments, an LMS will make your school run better -- if you make sure that it works on all platforms.

4. Can Students Print Wirelessly from Multiple Platforms?

Students should be able to print wirelessly from phones, tablets or any device, but they'll need some training. You may have to set up a private network just for students (separate from guests), giving them access to student printers. You may want to hide admin or teacher printers from student access to avoid confusion. Consider renaming printers based on location, as that's the only thing that shows on mobile devices.

If you think too much printing will become a problem, you may want to consider print management software that establishes limits or counts pages. Also, organize the trays by shared printers for later picking, as students can be anywhere when they print.

5. Are Classroom Projectors Ready for Wireless Audio and Video Sharing from Mobile Devices?

I love Apple TV because Airplay is so easy. If students find something, they can "throw it" to the board with full video and sound. There are other ways you can share as well. I have a wireless projector so that PCs and Surface can easily send their content to the projector (although it isn't as easy as Airplay and requires installing a piece of software.) Consistency between classrooms would be helpful. This is one big reason for stating what you "optimize" your network to do, because making it easy for every device to share with the board and the class can be challenging.

6. Can You Sync Files Between Devices and Teachers' Computers?

You could group this decision with whatever you decide about note taking, because certainly Evernote and OneNote have some syncing features. However, keep in mind that Skydrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and the sharing that these tools enable will allow you to go as paperless as possible. Your LMS can help with much of this, but there is a constant flow of multimedia in schools where the students create. The pipeline for sharing this multimedia and other creations should be set up for everyone to make it simple. I require Dropbox to be installed on all devices that will be used in my classroom and linked with the student account so that we can get our work done, but other apps and server configurations can also manage this sharing pipeline.

A Great Advantage of BYOD: Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is higher-order thinking. When teachers and schools want everything to work perfectly all of the time, troubleshooting is part of life. The expectation is that the IT staff will take care of it all, but what they should really do is help people find resources. Be very clear that everyone is a troubleshooter in a BYOD environment. A skilled user of a unique device can mentor others with that device.

BYOD has been a great addition to what we're doing at my school. Yes, we've got a ways to go, but we're on the path to a real-world personalized learning environment. What questions or suggestions do you have about the BYOD program at your school? Please share in the comments section below.

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6 BYOD Discussions Every School Should Have | Edutopia

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We've been in BYOD mode for half a year, and I've already shared some best practices for the classroom with you. Putting on my IT hat, here are some of the things I've learned that you should consider as you work through your own BYOD plans and implementation.