remember to avoid being overly restrictive. Create a culture of care and learning

Ask three before me” to encourage students to become reliant on each other

Use consistent key phrases to control usage

Make posters that summarize guidelines

Clarify behaviors

“Avoid focusing on apps…focus on what students can create using iPads

Instead, focus on projects that deepen reading and writing using blended media (e.g. video/audio)

One way to accomplish that includes changing the way you teach to present students with projects and problems that require collaboration, communication, and problem-solving.

These are simple, powerful ways to engage students. Use them for everything to get students thinking and making their thinking visible. Looking for more ideas? When you are ready, explore Dr. Wesley Fryer’s iPad Media Camp, Playing with Media video collection, Greg Kulowiec’s app smashing concept, and Lisa Johnson’s (@techchef4u) website. Kathy Schrock has a few resources for you, too. When you’re ready to buy apps, let me know. Green screen is one area you need to investigate more.

Seesaw (Free):

This is the TOP, must-have app to have in your classroom.

Teachers immediately see the data and can share student work back to their screens in just a click. This is a powerful way for students to see peer responses and explain their reasoning.

These features transform how teachers provide feedback to students

Discrete differentiation personalizes the learning

provide math interventions during the same block of instructional time.

digital portfolio app that allows them to view and comment upon one another's work

Everyone is thrilled to receive comments from classmates. Seesaw portfolios are also easy to share with parents.

places students at the center of learning.

Working with mentor teachers, we found that they had an assumption that young student teachers would naturally know the latest and greatest. The truth is that some do but many don’t, so training is essential!

They became models for the classroom teachers

All classes in our research site were inclusive with a diverse community of learners at every grade level including students with IEPs, 504 plans, autism spectrum disorders, and English language learners.

made the mistake of assuming the kids would immediately know how to use the technology in an appropriate way.

Success was more attributable to the fact that teachers who integrated iPads into their lessons tended to do more Project Based Learning (PBL), which has been found to improve student learning across grade levels (Cheu-Jay, 2015)

the hard-to-reach, reluctant, oppositional Edwards all became engaged when introduced to opportunities that the iPad gave them.

students enjoy learning and stay more focused when using iPads

with a little hands-on support, created technology-rich lessons with a minimum of training or professional development. The bottom line was that when we mixed training with support we created a successful and innovative learning experience for teachers and their students.

we have access to so much information, not only from schools, but from outside organizations.

The least innovative organizations often seem to surround themselves with like-minded people.

Spending time with people and building solid relationships with them often leads to them going miles beyond what is expected and move away from “what has always been done”.  When people know they are valued and safe in trying new things, they are more likely to do something better.  This is at the core of an innovative school.

should try to create new ideas, but it is more important that they create a culture of innovation

She’s legendary for remembering the names of current and former students, recalling family members and interests. She writes notes to board members, students, and colleagues thanking them, praising them, recognizing their accomplishments.

we have extraordinary talent

connect project-based learning to the community