Today's #satchat was full of 100 ideas today. To some, that can be scary. Too much too soon can overwhelm some people. To others, it can be invigorating. So much at once yields so many opportunities!
I am excited for the start of the year for so many reasons. One of them includes the distribution of chrome books to all teachers and TAs in my building. We started small last year giving chrome books to team leaders, tech committee members and department chairpersons. There were some stand alone student computers due to be replaced in our classrooms and my Superintendent was open to allowing me NOT to replace those (that were due) and instead purchasing chrome books. It wasn't what was happening district wide but I appreciated him letting me go off the path for this. For our school, it seems like a logical choice. We have slowly begun using Google Drive and will open up student email accounts this Fall. We are moving to using more #GAFE apps within the next two years and I wanted to give my teachers a head start at feeling comfortable with the new technology. My thinking is if teachers can see the possibilities that exist with this tool (or any tool) they will be more likely to use it, incorporate it in their teaching, and allowing students to use it in their learning. There was some professional development provided to teachers last year but I am aware there will need to be more. I am impressed by the internal online sources our BOCES created for us and quite hopeful our in district IT supports will enhance this work with additional professional development. I also know that some of the most powerful PD will occur internally teacher to teacher.
I am fully aware that this plan is not the plan others would choose for their school. I've been a little too giddy, for some, about social media and tech use for administrators and teachers. I try to model purposeful use of it where I can but I think, in some ways, parts of our schools are not ready for such changes to instruction. In some ways, we are not ready to take the risk. Some likely want to be able to operate as they've always operated but that simply is not the world we live in anymore.
I am excited for the start of the year for so many reasons. One of them includes the distribution of chrome books to all teachers and TAs in my building. We started small last year giving chrome books to team leaders, tech committee members and department chairpersons. There were some stand alone student computers due to be replaced in our classrooms and my Superintendent was open to allowing me NOT to replace those (that were due) and instead purchasing chrome books. It wasn't what was happening district wide but I appreciated him letting me go off the path for this. For our school, it seems like a logical choice. We have slowly begun using Google Drive and will open up student email accounts this Fall. We are moving to using more #GAFE apps within the next two years and I wanted to give my teachers a head start at feeling comfortable with the new technology. My thinking is if teachers can see the possibilities that exist with this tool (or any tool) they will be more likely to use it, incorporate it in their teaching, and allowing students to use it in their learning. There was some professional development provided to teachers last year but I am aware there will need to be more. I am impressed by the internal online sources our BOCES created for us and quite hopeful our in district IT supports will enhance this work with additional professional development. I also know that some of the most powerful PD will occur internally teacher to teacher.
I am fully aware that this plan is not the plan others would choose for their school. I've been a little too giddy, for some, about social media and tech use for administrators and teachers. I try to model purposeful use of it where I can but I think, in some ways, parts of our schools are not ready for such changes to instruction. In some ways, we are not ready to take the risk. Some likely want to be able to operate as they've always operated but that simply is not the world we live in anymore.
@LisaMeade23 @mcguirp Amazing that some don't see the shift occurring all around them
— Scott Capro (@ScottCapro) August 2, 2014
In some ways, I think I'll be seen as pushing too much too soon. Yet, I think the opposite will be the true. The shifts are occurring all around us (just like my twitter friend Scott posted) and if I choose to ignore the possibilities, I am closing the door to the opportunities for students and staff. That's certainly not what lead learners do.
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