Being in the rural area of Nebraska and at a Catholic school, both of which I LOVE, my technology experiences are limited! (I didn't even have Twitter until this class). I don't feel like we are in the stone age when it comes to technology, but probably far behind most schools. We currently are in the middle of receiving new technology for our schools through an Ignite the Faith Grant through our Archdiocese, which we are very excited and grateful for.
Currently, we have a computer lab full of desk top computers, most of which do not work and cause frustration for teachers and students! We have SmartBoards in our classrooms (which I have been told are "old news"), desktops for student use and each teacher has a laptop. Our new "stuff", which we are anxiously and impatiently waiting for, includes AppleTVs, new projectors/screens/speakers, iPads (set of 20 for each building), laptops for our computer lab (and use in classrooms) and new laptops for our teachers. All our products will be Apple, which is a switch for us. We are all willing to learn and excited to try something new...a few are apprehensive about letting their old laptops go, but I assured them, they will be okay! Why did we choose Apple? We previewed different brands and wanted AppleTVs, so we thought sticking with one brand for compatibility would be best.
The world of technology is always changing, and that is scary (for me)...I think because I look at it as a mom and all the possibilities, good and bad. When it is well balanced with non-technological things, like the outside world, I think it is a good thing...but I sometimes feel a lot of children don't have that balance. Our students do need to have exposure to technology and use it daily as their world will be much more digital than it is now. So, for me this class is going to open my eyes to new possibilities for our school, which excites me!
I like to think personally I know technology...but I think I know enough to "get by". I have a lot to learn and am excited to learn new things in this class that I can use to better our school and help myself and my staff. I hope to learn ways that we can use all the "new stuff" we are getting and make it an enjoyable learning experience for everyone involved and an amazing resource to our already fantastic classrooms.
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteFirst I just want to say that I really like the template design for your blog, it really displays your outgoing personality! I hope that you find that Twitter is such a little gold mine as we begin to use it in class. I love that I am able to connect outside of my building and globally. I really like to see what people are doing in their classrooms and buildings. I commend you as you guys undertake Apple technology and work together and are eager to learn together. I think that is such a key component in a school integrating technology into their schools/classrooms. Teachers often have just as much, if not more to learn about the technology to just use and then they have to plan how to integrate it too! It's an exciting time in education and the possibilities are endless in terms of connecting and collaborating and providing students with such interactive learning experiences. I am really looking forward to watching you grow and implement the technology into your school. Good luck and enjoy the ride!
Candace,
DeleteI am very excited to get this new technology! I couldn't agree more about teachers, have as much if not more to learn than students! Which is why I am staying positive in this whole process (and what seems like endless waiting), I want my teachers to be excited to learn it just like I am. If it is OK with you I may ask for some advice along the way. Apple is new to me as well!
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post in its honesty. I feel that I "get by" in technology as well but am trying hard to be more advanced and use it effectively in our graduate program as well as my job.
I think your school using all Apple products is a good idea. We have that as well and that is what I have done with all of my personal devices. The connection that you will have with that makes things a lot easier when working from various ports.
It is exciting that your school is getting some great new technology tools. I wish you the best as you learn to integrate them into your teaching and be able to see improved teaching and learning. Good luck in the integration and evaluation of this progressive movement!
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteYou are going to love using the Apple products. When I taught for a public school, we only had Apple products. They were very user friendly, and it was convenient to have all products be compatible. At my current school, all of the teachers have iPads, but then everything else is not Apple. We use Google Drive to help make everything compatible between all devices. I think your school made a smart choice in making everything compatible from the start.
What a great time for your school to get new products, and for you to be able to use them after this course.
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteOur school just got "Appleized" this year with a school issued iPad for all 150 of our middle schoolers. Teachers received a MacBook Pro, as well as Apple TVs in all classrooms and an iPad.
For the most part it has been good but there has been some issues that needed working out such as to expand the bandwidth!
We have a lot more control over where are student search even when they are at home due to the online manager system. I really have no clue how it works but all I know is that it protects the kids. Also, we can see everything they searched for even if it did not load because it is blocked.
So really the best part is that our kids have access to some pretty amazing apps and opportunities.
Rebecca,
DeleteIt is those "issues" that make me nervous...but we will tackle them as they come! What do you think has been your schools biggest hurdle? Can you give me more information on the online manager system? Our students won't be taking them home, but this idea intrigues me even when they are searching in class, library, etc.
it is very exciting and my staff is as ready as I am to have devices that work and our students can use! iPads for all our students would be awesome, but we will start with baby steps!
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteI feel the pain of your current situation and having spotty technology in your building. My school building was constructed in 1931 and we have a LONG way to go with updating before we can really upgrade our technology to current standards. We are in the process of figuring out how to make that happen so that is works best for our students. I will be anxious to hear how you feel about the new technology your schools are getting after this "drought" you've been experiencing!
Hi Jenn,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I did not have aTwitter account until this class. I also have not had Facebook or an iPhone. I am excited to see that Twitter is a great professional sharing stage. I thought it was all social. It sounds like you have some great opportunities for using new technology at your school and I am excited for you. All the best in that regard and remember, you are not alone in experiencing new social media avenues. I am with you!
Patricia,
DeleteAt this point, twitter still overwhelms me a little bit! I don't know if it is because there is an abundance of information, my lack of knowledge of how to use it or both. I am finding great things there, I just have to get over my "fear" of this new media! :)
Jenn-
ReplyDeleteI have been on Twitter for a couple of years and at times I am still overwhelmed with how much is out there. I get anxious because I always feel like I am "missing out" on something. Once I calm down though, I wonder how much I would miss it when I am stuck or want to find out more information a topic. Twitter's benefits, like anything else, lie in how we use it!
I can't wait to hear all about the integration of technology in your school. I hope your biggest takeaway from this class will be that it is that you lead with learning and tech offers support!
Dr. Mausbach,
DeleteI think you hit the nail on the head when you said I feel like I am "missing out" on something. There are so many articles with great titles that I want to read, but I would get NOTHING else done in my day! I will take it in small, manageable doses!!
I love "lead with learning and tech offers support"! I may have to borrow that when I am presenting things to my teachers! :)
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog this week. Like you I am new to this twitter thing and have found this first week to be another learning curve for me. I have enjoyed all the tweets that have been shared and am constantly amazed at all the information that is out there and being shared around the world. I'm glad your school has come together and decided to use one main technology brand in your school. I have found it frustrating in my classroom to being using both tablets and ipads. Either one is not working or one of them has one thing and the other does not offer the same application. We are slowly moving in the direction of making sure a classroom has enough tablets or ipads to use for each class which is a start. I will say my students get a little excited when I have to ask them where to find something or how to do something. Last year our school went through an upgrade adding more hot spots for our wireless internet. I could be in one part of my room and have no access while in other parts a strong signal. I'm sure you know how frustrating it can be when you are in the middle of teaching something and "oops" you can't connect or load something. Technology is only as good as when it is working. I look forward to reading more of your posts.