A Taxonomy for Tech Integration

From: http://etitaxonomy.wikispaces.com/  

From: http://www.schrockguide.net/bloomin-apps.html

Awesome Resource!!!

iPad Workflow

When using iPads or iDevices, a teacher will be looking for apps that can replace what is done on a computer. The workflow is significantly different when trying to find the right app for the job at hand.

This list of apps that match what a teacher wants to accomplish is very handy. The list is from:
edtechteacher.org

iPad Learning Objectives

1. I want my students to record and edit video on their iPad. 
2. I want my students to record and / or edit audio on their iPad. 
3. I want my students to read class content on their iPad. 
4. I want my students to annotate course readings on their iPad 
5. I want my students to be able to read audio books on their iPad. 
6. I want my students to use iPads as a digitial notebooks / note-taking devices. 
7. I want my students to use iPads to share and demonstrate their understanding through screencastsscr.
8. I want my students to create presentations on their iPads. 
9. I want my students to create digital stories on iPad. 
10. I want my students to be able to study with iPad. 
11. I want to use the iPad as a student response system. 
12. I want my students to create written content on their iPad. 
13. I want my students to blog on their iPad.
14. I want my students to create ePubs / iBooks to read on their iPad.
15. I want my students to create and edit images on the iPad.
16. I want to use the iPad in order to create a language lab environment for my students.
17. I want my students to use the iPad to stay organized.
18. I want to use the iPad to conduct video / virtual conferences in the classroom
19. I want to control my computer or Interactive White Board from my iPad.

Middle East Google Apps For Education Summit

I am presenting at my first Middle East Google Apps for Education Summit. Wow! I am excited and it has been fun to get ready for. My current school, the American School of Dubai is hosting the event. I am presenting on how to use Google Forms in schools. Fun! About 250 people here, good presenters, nice atmosphere. I have been inspired once again to help my students be inspired, be creative, collaborative, and communicate better. "Creatical"   #gafesummit

Flipping the Classroom

From: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2013/01/30/four-steps-to-flipping-the-classroom/?ps=104822-0013000000j0Phx-0033000000q5kGc

This article gave some great insight about how teachers can "flip" or front-end load their classrooms. The general stereotype of a flipped classroom is to have videos the students watch as homework before coming into class, then have the students practice in class what they learned where they have teacher and peer assistance. But besides this method, front-end loading can be done with articles, websites, documents and other resources to give students the chance to be prepared for class discussions. Using blogs to extend class discussions beyond the face-to-face environment can lead to greater understanding and interaction of classes and students.
Another great article related to Flipping the Classroom: The Truth about Flipped Classrooms.

Disconnect to Connect

So important to remember in todays digital world....

A conversation about Vision...

I had a conversation with some other educational professionals a couple days ago about what the goals, direction and vision of what a tech department should be like. I feel like I didn't give a good explanation of what I thought at the time so here goes for a better explanation...

What do I envision for a Tech Department? In looking at the ISTE Standards, a tech department should probably model elements of those standards. Listing some key descriptive words would help clarify my thoughts on this topic. Some are clichés and catch-phrases that may be overused, but they do capture the spirit of the type of department I want to be involved in.

• Dynamic:  Creative and Innovative. Something is always happening. New ideas are being shared, projects are being worked on, in order to improve the integration strategies, school systems and knowledge of the school. 
• Goal-Driven: Goals are clear and defined. Steps are defined to solve problems. These are based on the schools Mission and Philosophy, and what the overall goals/objectives are for the school (usually from an accreditation report). 
• Collaborative:  Communication is key. There is a culture of working with others and not in isolation. Ideas are being shared amongst the members of the department and with the rest of the school. We are team players and we reflect and share to become better.
• Engaged: Actively model good practices and work with other departments and students to assist and help integrate. 
• Appropriate: Tech is not integrated for techs-sake. It is integrated where appropriate. Sometimes the best technology is a pencil...
• Research based and Data-Driven: We are critical thinkers that base decisions and best practices on research. Decisions and new programs are not just adopted willy-nilly. Time is spent to research effectiveness
• Helpful: No one will want assistance if we are not helpful
• Responsible and Ethical: We model appropriate use of technology

This is all I have for now...

SAMR and TPCK

I have read about TPACK in the past, but not SAMR, as approaches to tech integration. I came across an article in http://www.techlearning.com which mentioned SAMR and it piqued my interest to follow up. SAMR was developed by Mr. Rueben R Puentadura, an educational technology specialist, and he has some great information and explanation of these two approaches on his blog at: http://www.hippasus.com/rrpweblog/ 

TPACK: Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) attempts to identify the nature of knowledge required by teachers for technology integration in their teaching, while addressing the complex, multifaceted and situated nature of teacher knowledge. At the heart of the TPACK framework, is the complex interplay of three primary forms of knowledge: Content (CK), Pedagogy (PK), and Technology (TK). See Figure below. As must be clear, the TPACK framework builds on Shulman’s idea of Pedagogical Content Knowledge.

SAMR is: a model designed to help educators integrate technology into teaching and learning , was developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura.  The model aims to enable teachers to design, develop, and integrate digital learning experiences that utilize technology to transform learning experiences to lead to high levels of  achievement for students.

Reading about TPACK and SAMR was a good reminder and refresher of how to approach tech integration from a pedagogical standpoint.