Final Wrap Up

I have made huge gains throughout this course in the short few weeks we were here and I am very pleased with my progress. Before this course, I had honestly never touched an iphone, ipad or i anything. I have a Dell laptop, I have a Samsung phone and I consider the i “user” world to be cliquish, I assumed the technology was just a passing fad that wasn’t so helpful, and would quickly become out dated anyway. I consider myself a current teacher, I’m flexible, I teach on my feet, I use multiple intelligences and UDL, I’m inclusive, I used a lot of computer apps and technology- but not to the best advantage I could. Especially not to the personalized needs of my students.

Conveniently I got issued an ipad from my new school directly before this course started. Until I sat in this class, I didn’t open it or use it. I didn’t know how to get apps, I couldn’t see the purpose of the apps, I had no idea what was available. I’m not a Luddite, I was just- resistive.

In not time, I was downloading apps like crazy, and even entertaining myself in the evenings using the world creator app games I downloaded, and the math apps that were tutoring me in math! It really was opening up a world of possibilities. I could quickly see which apps would have helped my students, which apps would engage the whole class, how to really take class to the next level.  Much to my surprise, I quickly became comfortable with the ipad. I’ve even emailed my principal to see how I could get an allotment to purchase apps.  The hand on use of the ipad and apps that you had loaded were very helpful. The “selfie” assignment was a great assignment to start with as it was easily achievable, and lined us up for success. The app smash was likewise timed well. I found it overwhelming at first and I was uncomfortable- but change is uncomfortable as one’s boundaries are pushed and prior knowledge updated. The app smash method was very effective to get hands on experience not only using all the apps, but deciphering which app would be the most useful for what aspect of the book. While using them, I was also subconsciously determining how the app would be useful (or not) in my class. I then had my own ipad and was downloading useful apps while we were working. This experience with the App Smash increased my confidence.  I could then pick and choose what I wanted, and make wish lists. The articles we read further reinforced my acceptance, and embracing of the new technology.

Breakthrough for Josh really helped me realize that ADHD students could thrive when using assistive tech because most of the apps provide immediate feedback, are engaging, and provide rewards. I always thought assistive tech would be further distracting, but it’s more so taking the students energy and directing it in a targeted manner.  

I also found that most research I read seemed to conclude that ipads are indeed useful, significant gains have been made in classes, but the results are always vague. More research needs to be done to discover exactly how the changes happened, and why. I think the data is hard to collect because there are so many variables and the technology is ever advancing. It is helpful though to hear the different case studies of how specific technologies helped specific students.

Another “big idea” that I took away from this course is that Ipads make learning so much fun.  Just as learning games without technology are fun in school, learning with technology (Specifically small, hand held, personalized, bright, shiny, talking, interactive technology) is 200x more fun! Students feel like they’re getting to “play” when they use the ipad, but again, channelling their energy in a targeted manner will result in huge gains.  Engaging students in class is so important, ensuring students succeed is equally important- Ipads let us support students through UDL and making everything accessible, it all makes so much sense to take the pencil out of the process if the pencil is the problem.

I think we’re finally starting to see the shift in education that fair doesn’t always mean equal- different people need different supports, and challenges. No everyone needs to write a paper pencil test. Allowing one to type, or to verbalize answers doesn’t mean that it’s not fair, it means each student is getting what they need.

Another aspect of the course that I loved was blackboard collaborate. I can really see the varieties of use it provides. How else could you gather people together, from anywhere around the world, place them in one “room” but still have video options, mic, handing out documents, and recording the entire thing to play back at a later time. I could use it when I’m coaching to reach my students, I could tutor with it via distance and provide visuals, we could have online staff meetings, parent meetings- possibilities truly are endless.

The last assignment we did was the imovie trailer- I felt this was a beautiful end to the course. Everything fell into place when we created it. It was easy. I felt like I had come full circle using the technology.  

My confidence using the ipad has increased exponentially, and equally as important, I see the ipad as an integral part of my classroom. A way to hook student, support students, challenge students, reward student; what a great piece of technology.