1-to1

Beyond the Device Check In

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Screen Shot 2015-12-15 at 1.54.52 PM As we approach winter break it’s time to take stock in our evolution as a 1-to-1 learning environment.  The key here is to focus on learning, not technology.  The beginning of the 2014-15 school year marked the start of cycle three where we shifted gears to think beyond the device toward the elements listed on the left.

You’ve considered failure, taken steps to become more mindful (thx Leslie) w/ and w/o technology, and explored the complicated  lives of our digitally connected students (thx dboyd).  You have looked at IRC student perception data related to organization and communication, thought through why communication fails, earned your GYST badge,  and continued to dig into the very BIG driving question…..How will you continue to evolve your teaching to ensure transformational learning experience for yourself and your students?

The PBL mindset as highlighted by Markham (2015) goes a long way towards supporting transformational student-centered learning. In the new year we will continue to explore our evolution of PBL during lunchtime sessions (see the note in FF to sign up) and with Suzie at the beginning of March here on campus.

 

 

Tablet Road Checks

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Before the winter break you will be conducting a tablet road check.  The GLL’s will be organizing the specific time.  The first place to start is to make sure you are modeling responsible use and can pass the road check yourself:)  Please complete the following road check on your own tablet to prepare yourself, and make any needed adjustments so you can model responsible use.

Evolution of Edtech at the Upper School- Update

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This year we have a lot of exploration to be done related to educational technology shifts.  All exploration is aimed at streamlining communication and ensuring an agile digital ecosystem, so we can focus on the real goods….forward thinking pedagogy!

Starting in June some of our colleagues (thx- Adrian, Ali, Claudia S, Diya, Geoff, Ian, Jason, Marie & Will) have explored Google Classroom to support blended learning in one or more of their classes.  Their efforts have allowed this platform to be explored in our digital ecosystem producing the following findings.

Our next steps is to continue with early adoption of Google Classroom and start piloting SMART amp.  SMART amp is a cloud based version of SMART notebook that saves automatically in your Google Drive.

If you are interested in piloting SMART amp or adopting Google Classroom please email Liz before the end of this week (Friday 25th).

US Ed Tech Infographic 14_15 focus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the left is the graphic that summarizes the findings from the 1-to-1 device cycle three research that points to all things beyond the device.  Below is a summary of our Upper School ed tech evolution over the past four years.

2011-12
1-to-1 cycle 2 year 1 (x220), iPad pilot , scaling screencasting and digital portfolios, and desktop research.

2012-13
Start of 1-to-1 device cycle three research,  SMART board/projector research, mobile phone wifi connection, and start of PBL work w/ Suzie Boss

2013-14
1-to-1 device cycle three research, continued PBL work w/ Suzie- including the fail festival, and Moodle upgrade

2014-15
1-to-1 cycle 3 year 1 (Yoga), Suzie Boss PBL work, Fine Arts digital ecosystem research, Gmail, and retirement of network drives (Classwork)

2015-16
Start of cycle 3 (iMac labs for visual arts), Google Classroom and SMART amp pilots, continued work with Suzie Boss, and start of 1-to-1 cycle 4 research

 

 

Gr. 9-10 Road Check

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Thanks for your help completing tablet road checks during consultancy this week and next. If you have an specific questions or would like help let Liz know.

*Grade 11 and 12 road check will happen before February break.

Research on Note Taking

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Research on note taking is closely aligned with summarizing.  According to a recent article by Joseph Stromberg (2014), Why you should take notes by hand — not on a laptop, “taking notes by hand forces you to actively listen and decide what’s important” (p.1).  The article then goes on to articulate findings from the latest research from psychologists Mueller and Oppenheimer that found students who type notes are not actively listening and deciding what’s important…..summarizing:)  Read their full study here (yes I’m acting like Aaron Swartz, but I’m saving you the trouble of logging into the library’s database:)).

What this article and related research highlights is that doing old things in “new” ways is not always better.  Marzano and his crew’s summary of student note taking research highlights the following tips:

  1. Verbatim note taking is, perhaps the least effective way to take notes.
  2. Notes should be considered a work in progress.
  3. Notes should be used as study guides for tests.
  4. The mores notes that are taken, the better (Marzano, Pickering & Pollock, 2001).

How many of you give time for students to refine and summarize their notes?  Are there any specific tips and tricks you have learned you can share with your colleagues about this topic? …if so comment below:)

Stay tuned for next weeks look at teacher provided notes.

Transformational Learning

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In our 5th year as a 1-to-1 school conversations and innovation needs to be beyond simple access to technology. Ruben R. Puentedura, developer of the SAMR model, articulates this evolution in four phases.

Screen Shot 2014-03-25 at 9.39.05 AM

 

As we embark into the transition phase of wrapping up this school year and preparing for the next, keep the above model in mind.  The device transition is an opportunity to mentally and physically (bits that is:)) reflex upon practice and make moves to enhance transformational teaching practice.

 

 

//e.infogr.am/upper-school—–ed-tech

Curious About Our Next Device? Come Play!

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If you are interested in “playing” with a Yoga Pro 2 stop by the IT office.

Our next device is truly a product of a collective process with valuable input from you. A big thank you to those faculty and students that have tested and informed the process. More to come shortly regarding the timeline for roll-out and roll-in of your current tablet.

 

Tablet Decision Update

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The leadership team has communicated the following:

Tablet Replacement Decision

The Leadership supports the purchase of new school-owned computers running Windows 8 for the 2014-15 school year at the Middle and Upper School Campuses. The Leadership Team summary is attached. Subject to conditions of service and availability, Lenovo Yogo Pro II is the preferred device

 

 

Device Recommednation Faculty Room Inforgraphic