For the last couple of years, I have primarily been dealing with devices; enrolling, managing, setting up apps and extensions and trying to keep track of ever-shifting inventory. I am afraid my people skills may have gotten a little rusty. I wanted to reconnect with my past self and get my head back in the game of supporting teachers and their students. So I enrolled in the Apple Learning Coach program. I think it is one of the best-run professional…
Integrating technology, project based learning, personalized instruction, etc all require a change in a teacher’s pedagogical practice. That is a pretty complex change as there is nothing simple about people, teaching and learning. The teachers I support are my ‘students’. I need to know what is not working or missing to help them achieve success as they continually fine tune and perfect their craft. Over the years I have used Knoster’s thoughts on managing complex change. There are various versions…
Summer is a time for relaxation and renewal for educators. It is the season where we recharge the batteries, reflect on our success and failure and rethink what we will do next year. During this “down time” many educators participated in curriculum writing and professional development. Tim Holt recently shared his thoughts on professional development are we preparing cooks or chefs? They echo some of my thinking. I dislike the term “training” I am often asked if I will be…
As a tech integration specialist my role is to help teachers learn to use technology effectively in a classroom to support student learning. Most of the technology deployed in the past by schools has been teacher centered such as interactive white boards (IWB). Now schools are putting technology in the hands of students with a variety of devices. It is my belief this requires a different professional development (PD) model. Some devices have a steep learning curve; I would place…