Reflections

= **Reflections** =

**08/19/10** – Today was teacher in-service. A representative from Apple came to present the iPods to the teachers. Preschool and kindergarten teachers were invited to attend, to preview the iPods and the apps they could use in their classrooms. All of the teachers seemed excited to use the iPods and found several useful apps for their grade level and/or content area. Following the session, teachers were asked to provide input on a spreadsheet on the local server, set up for ordering iPod apps. Several teachers added apps to the “wish list”, and the technology department will preview, approve, order, and install the apps on the iPods. Survey stated less than 1/3 of the teachers were comfortable with the iPod and its uses prior to this class.

Reflections from teachers: · Very good. WE looked at a variety of apps. We found it very helpful at our grade level. · Love the iPads – iPods in the classrooms · Went well and was informative to me   · We explored a variety of apps. We also discussed and wrote down the apps that would apply to each grade level. In addition, we shared our favorite apps so that others could get information about what was out there. I found this very helpful because I didn’t know much about IPods prior to this training. · This time was spent wisely since we explored a variety of apps on the ipod. It was useful to know which apps would apply to standards for both reading and math. I especially enjoyed the time to explore apps and share ideas with other teachers of how and when to use the ipods to best meet the needs of our kindergarteners. · During this PD day, we explored a variety of applications that were on the Ipod. We discussed which applications we thought would be most useful for our students. We also discussed when we would use them with our students. I found this time to be helpful because prior to this I was not familiar with Ipods. As a result of the training I was able to implement Ipods in my classroom. · Very helpful. We looked at a variety of apps and discussed what would be helpful at our grade level. We discussed which apps were our favorites.

Following this training, the teachers discussed this at staff meetings and they had had additional time to find the applications that dealt with the skills that are taught at their grade level. Feedback from teachers a few weeks after the training was positive and they felt like they had a better handle on the applications that they needed to incorporate the iPods into their interventions. They also put in a PO for additional applications for the iPods that they had found during the weeks after the initial training on the iPods.

**08/25/10, 09/01/10, 09/8/10, 09/15/10** – Lori had staff meetings with Early Learning Center teachers (preschool and kindergarten certified staff). During these meetings, use of the iPods was mentioned, and any troubles with them were addressed. Lisa worked with the technology department to make sure the apps these teachers want on the iPods were purchased and installed.

*Feedback continues to be positive from students, teachers, and parents on the use of the iPod. A few parents have come into the school and asked for specifications of iPod the students are using so that they can purchase the same and would also like the list of applications so students can practice at home also.

**09/21/10** – We got together to discuss our research project, and decided to work with the preschool and kindergarten teachers on technology integration in their classes. There are 9 teachers we will work with, including: Vilhauer, Breen, Soukup, Dufrain, Freier, Mattis, Dilts, Christensen, and Vavruska. We intend to work with these teachers integrating the use of computers and the Smart Table in all classrooms, and the use of Smart Boards and iPods in the kindergarten classrooms. During in-service in August, teachers had the opportunity to preview iPods, and classroom sets were ordered. Teachers wrote requests to Lisa for Apps they would like to see on the iPods. Lisa worked with the technology department to get the iPods set up and ready for the classrooms. Tim Leibel was put in charge of the kindergarten iPods, and with the troubleshooting, adding/removing apps, synchronizing, etc. that goes with the iPods.

**9/24/10** – Lisa met with the kindergarten teachers to set up the Smart Student response system. It was quite a challenge, and the software was not user friendly. The teachers struggled with the numbering system that the Smart software used to identify the students. The student IDs are not visible to the teachers once they’ve been assigned, so it makes it difficult to add additional students. We are concerned about adding more students as they enroll in the future. Teachers set up their classes, but there wasn’t enough time to start the lesson using the response system. This session will be continued. Reflections from teachers: · We were trained on how to put our class list on the smart system. · Introduction to the system – “technical difficulties” so was difficult to understand how they work · Not useful – didn’t apply to my grade level · I found this time useful because we were trained how to enter our students on the system and prepare for use of the smart response system. · During this time we entered the name of our students into the smart response system. I found this time to be spent wisely because I did not know how to enter my students on my own. Training was very beneficial. · At this PD day we entered the names of our students into the Smart Response system. I found this to be helpful because I didn’t remember how to do it from the year before. I was very appreciative of the time given during PD to complete this task and for the assistance given by Mrs. Tolliver. · We were being trained on how to enter our students’ names into the system. It was a nice refresher because some of the steps were forgotten.

**09/29/10 – 01/12/11** – Lori continued to hold staff meetings on Wednesdays, and address any technology concerns the teachers had. Lori and Lisa both spent a lot of time in the classrooms, observing the use of the various technologies with the kindergarten students. The kids love the iPods, and are slowly getting to know the Smart table. Lisa will work on updating the Smart table and review with the kindergarten teachers how to run the Smart table in their classrooms. The iPod use is moving from single users that work alone with no peer interaction, to students that are discussing what to do and how to do it on the applications. Students are monitoring friends’ activities and talking about what is happening and why. This is a step in the right direction. The teachers stated that they were using them more and more and their comfort level was up

**01/14/11** – Lisa met with the kindergarten teachers during collaboration time to teach the teachers how to implement the Smart student response system into their classes. The first few minutes were reviewing the connecting of the “clickers” to the teacher’s hub, so the Smart board could be used in conjunction with the clickers. Shortly after, we realized that the Smart software on the teachers’ computers was outdated, and the clickers would not connect without an update. The session was again cut short due to technical difficulties, and scheduled to continue as soon as the tech department can push the Smart updates out to the teachers’ computers. We provided training with the response system planning with the hope of having the teachers leave the training with a sense of familiarity with the system and excitement about incorporating it within their classroom. This did not work out –Lisa and Lori talked about it and thought we had some things figured out – she got software updates to download. Rod (tech administrator) also helped with the software problems.

Reflections from teachers: · We found it frustrating because we didn’t have the right software. New updates were put on later. · Still not able to utilize due to “tech” problems · Not useful to me and we had trouble getting them to work · Not useful – didn’t apply to my grade level and had trouble getting them to work · We weren’t able to do much during this time because we didn’t have the correct application to run the program. The programmer ran a software update and the meeting was rescheduled for another time. The training was frustrating but we weren’t kept long because we knew a meeting would need to be rescheduled. · This training was somewhat frustrating to me since the software program was not entered yet and we struggled with getting the smart response system to load our class list. After the version was loaded however, it seemed to work must better · We had training on this during PD day in January. We were unable to use the Smart Response System at this time because we did not have the correct version of this system loaded onto our computers. This training was frustrating because we wanted to have practice at using the system but were unable to due to technical difficulties. After this training, the Tech department found the correct version of Smart Response and loaded it onto our computers. · We were implementing Smart Response activities, but we did not have an updated version of the software, so we were frustrated with the malfunctions. After this training the tech coordinator updated our software. · With the software updated, everything worked much better. The tech integrationist said she would be able to help us search the Smart Exchange for activities to use in our classroom with our students using the response system.

**01/21/11 – 03/02/11** – Lori continued with Early Learning Center staff meetings after school on Wednesday evenings. Lori asked about use of the iPods, SMART table, response system, and SMART boards. The teachers had not really been actively pursuing the use of the response system and the SMART table. Lisa and Lori decided to add this to the project since they felt these things weren’t getting used to their maximum potential in the classrooms. Lisa informed them that the Smart table had a few more updates, spent time with the SMART table tech team, and she had it ready to be back in the classrooms the next week.

**03/09/11** – Lisa met with the preschool and kindergarten teachers during their staff meeting with Lori on Wednesday after school. She showed the teachers how to turn on and start the apps on the Smart table. Teachers worked out a schedule with Lori to utilize the Smart table in each of their classrooms for a given amount of time before the end of the school year. It was agreed that a better schedule would be worked out for next year. All teachers were impressed with what the table could do and how they could use it in the classroom. After this training, the SMART table would be rotated through the classrooms. This is the first time that the SMART table has really been used for academics even though we have had it in district for over one year. The teachers were discussing how they could follow up the lessons with skills practice on the device. Again, we are seeing the devices being used in isolation for skills practice. It is tied to the lesson, but still not pushing forward to total integration pushing students into using 21st century skills.

Reflections from teachers: · We were shown a variety of activities to use with the table. Lots of good activities to use in the classroom. · Showed us how to change the programs and # of users; definitely more user friendly now – choose things students like/need to work on   · Great to utilize our age appropriate technology in our room · We got them to work, but I don’t have use of them · Not useful – didn’t apply to my grade level and had trouble getting them to work · The orientation was very beneficial. We were trained how to start the system. We used many games that were loaded on the system and trained how to add games to the flash drive. In addition, the trainer answered questions on trouble shooting and a schedule was developed as to when the table will be in our room. · I especially liked this time to explore the smart table. It is a great technology tool and has a variety of skills to work on that are relevant to kindergarten students. It was really nice to be able to listen to ideas of how to use it and troubleshooting techniques to help simplify the smart table. Trainer was informative and beneficial. · This was a great PD opportunity. We had access to the Smart Table in previous years, but did not really know how to use it. During this training, Mrs. Tolliver taught us how to load different games on the Smart Table. We also were given suggestions on how to effectively use the Smart Table in workshops. · We were shown a variety of newly downloaded activities to use on the Smart Table. Lots of good activities of were shown. Some troubleshooting suggestions were also discussed.

**03/23/11** – This training went much better. We were able to try the system out and actually “voted” for answers!!!! J  Lisa met with the kindergarten teachers after school to demonstrate how to use the Smart student response system in their classes. The system updates were all installed and everything was finally working properly. It was recognized that the use of the response system is a learning curve for the teachers, and that they would need more practice before they were totally comfortable with it. One of the teachers did a lesson using the system right after the training and it worked alright. She said that she will continue to attempt to integrate it because it did pique the interest of the students

Reflections from teachers: · We had training on this in March. New updates were put on the system and it worked much better. The tech advisor said she would be putting new activities on the smartboard exchange to use in our classroom. · Able to use the system and see how it would work with students · The training was awesome. After the update, we were able to easily test the response system. The start-up is quite easy and reviewing the results for each student is quick and exciting. The technology integrationist promised to research activities for our classrooms and get back to us immediately. · This training was much better after the version was uploaded. I was appreciative of the trainer (Lisa) and the idea of helping us to find Smart Board Activities that were compatible with the smart response system. I am looking forward to using this system. · I have used the Smart Response system on a regular basis since the March training. I did not think I would like it but I was proven wrong. I tried it after the March training by using a Senteo quiz I had found on-line. The students loved it. We used it in anonymous mode the first time because I was not comfortable having students enter a code. Our first experience went so well, that I got braver and used classroom mode where students had to enter their password. I have to say that I really like the Smart Response System. I am surprised because I thought it was too complicated for kindergarten and my students proved me wrong.

**03/30/11-04/27/11** – Lori continued to meet with teachers on Wednesdays after school for staff meetings. One teacher took an early lead on using the Smart student response system, and shared with the others how easy it was once she practiced a few times with the kids. She mentioned that the kids really liked using the “clickers”, and she found that it helped to keep them engaged in the lesson.

We are still seeing the use of the devices more as practice devices that reinforce skills that have been taught in the classroom. However, the training and the focus on the use of the devices has pushed the teachers to use 21st century learning skills. The teachers have begun to collaborate and themselves use the 21st century skills in their learning, which, to me, means that they will soon be passing this type of learning to their students. The teachers have collaborated with each other, used their devices to help them learn the techniques, used critical thinking to problem solve the technology glitches and uses, developed their media literacy, and interpersonal and self directional skills. This is a direct result of the focus that has been given to the teaching of the technology skills needed to operate the devices and giving the practice time. This has been a constant focus for us since we began the year because of the project integrate requirements. We have been pushed to think outside the box and because of that, teachers and students have been pushed a bit further down the 21st century skill path. This has been a worthwhile journey!