Instruction
Teachers at Rowe School incorporate technology into classroom lessons using laptops, projectors and document cameras. Bringing the outside world into the classroom and zooming in on student work or science learning broadens the options for teaching and learning. Students use iPads in centers. Apps are used to work on letter formation (handwriting), math and counting objects as well as listening to read alouds to develop fluency skills. We also use iPads to create books and record student reading and writing to share on classroom blogs.
We maintain a Showcase Blog to display some of the outstanding learning experiences devised by teachers and students in the Yarmouth Schools.
We use the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) standards as a guideline for K-12 students and Digital Age Learning:
I. Creativity and Innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
II. Communication and Collaboration:
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
III. Research and Information Fluency:
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate and use information.
IV. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making:
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
V. Digital Citizenship:
Students understand human, cultural and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
VI. Technology Operations and Concepts:
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.
Students and teachers at Yarmouth Elementary School use computers and iPads as tools for essential learning in all subject areas. Activities include writing and publishing, mathematical practice and conceptual understanding, Internet research for science and social studies topics, and creation of multi-media presentations. The library is an additional research site with workstations set up for viewing the electronic catalogue of the book collection as well as Internet research.
At Yarmouth High School, the focus for teachers is on transformative uses of technology and improving student learning. Teachers are part of grade level, learning area and building level teams that are designed for various forms of collaboration. Technology supports the connected work of faculty; teachers have a similar type of laptop for access to shared documents, digital portfolios, survey tools and online media tools through Google Apps for Education. Continuous improvement of instruction is the basis for professional development as well as the self-directed learning undertaken by teachers through webinars, online courses and professional learning networks. Using PowerSchool to track student learning profiles is becoming a powerful tool for planning individualized instruction. Showcasing student work provides an authentic audience for students and informs the community about the learning that is taking place in our school.
Recently Alice Barr, YHS Instructional Technology Integrator was interviewed for the EDUCATION WEEK Teacher blog (April 12, 2014).
There is plenty of discussion about preparing our students to become innovative, digital, and global citizens. Many schools have addressed these skills by making the decision to have 1:1 technology in their classrooms. A Pew Internet and American Life Project report found that digital technology has become central to classroom work, but that it also offers challenges. How can a 1:1 classroom complement the way we teach our students?
Students Manage the Rollout
The most important thing that I have found to a successful 1:1 program is having students involved at every level. It starts when we issue the computers in the fall. Members of the Student Senate tech committee put together a presentation with updated information, guidelines and a bit of humor. They also offer support during the grade level assembly on making sure the network card works, logging in to email, and set up of the backup software.
Classroom Habits
We can write down and post the guidelines for technology use but if students don't make appropriate technology use part of their daily practice, it won't work. Modeling how to use technology is key. If the rule is not to eat or drink near the computer, then everyone, including the teacher, must practice and remind others.
In our building, there are designated areas to store laptops during breaks and lunch so they are not just left all over the place. If a teachers turns in an unattended computer, students must sign" the book". There is a page for every student with three questions to answer: 1) What happened? 2) What was the result? and 3) What will you do differently next time? The first time it happens, it is a warning. Second time is an after school detention. The third time is a period by period check out or a loss of take home privileges. It really helps students remember when they write the infraction down in their own writing.
Classroom Jobs
Many classrooms have weekly jobs. Some of these can be adding the homework on the class calendar, posting the classroom news to the class blog or being the photographer of the week. As we work harder to make our classrooms transparent, publishing our work on online has made a positive difference in supporting what we do with technology in the classroom. Students help with the management and take great pride in being part of that process.
Students as Technical Support
Students are excellent help desk assistants. In some classes it is also a weekly job. They are helpful when it comes to giving a quick tech tip, suggesting alternate programs, and fixing the projector or printer. Students can also help set the tone for how the hardware will be used. One of the things that we find is that over the years is that the number of repairs has gone down. Aside from having more durable machines we have found that students take good care of their computers because they have to have the device for class. It is an expectation that they will use it in class.
Giving Students Choice
One big change we have seen is the way students present their work. They want to create. We made a page of suggested digital tools for projects. It's linked on the technology page and we tweak it every year. Teachers can link to the site when assigning a project and they have learned to use Google Forms to "collect" digital projects. Student assignments can be differentiated giving every student the success they deserve.
Be Prepared for the Messiness
There's no question that teaching with technology can be messy. No one has said we must completely shift everything we do to technology. Try one new thing at a time. As it becomes part of everyday practice, you can add more. One example is to try an activity with one section of a class. Or try a low stakes, fun project before the real one. Be sure to get feedback from students.
I believe the benefit of a 1:1 classroom is the amazing work and learning that students and teachers can achieve. Our students deserve to learn in an innovative, digital environment.