Monday, May 22, 2017

Changing Culture

Rome wasn’t built in a day. That can also be true for changing a culture in school. We have just finished our 3rd year of 1:1, 24/7 connectivity and are coming to an end of our partnership with Digital Promise and Verizon. It has been an amazing journey to see where we began to where we are today.
In the beginning we jumped, rather dove, into this without having all of our plans (at times it felt like any plans) in place. Some of it was our own fault and some was out of our control. We quickly learned that certain protocols needed to be in place to get off the ground successfully.  Fortunately, I had a partner at another school in our district that was part of Digital Promise and Verizon opportunity. We immediately realized that we needed to plan and work together to create a system for success. Regina (my partner) and I complimented each other and we put our individual strengths together to create from the ground up a plan for what we needed to accomplish. Since this was new to our district we didn’t have a lot (or any) policies in place.
We created a system to handle distribution of the iPads, including parent consent forms and insurance. We planned for parent meetings to teach about our new partnership and understand what is being expected from their students and themselves. We built a digital citizen program for all of our students and teachers to start a conversation that has continued on. We knew that we needed a common language to help everyone; administrators, teachers, parents and students so that we all sere very clear of the expectations. We also created professional development for our teachers to help them start changing the way they teach.  This was all before our students ever touched their iPads.
There was excitement, panic, nervousness and opportunity bubbling through the school. We weren’t the only ones in this. We were part of a bigger family; there were a total of 8 schools that were part of the Digital Promise/Verizon schools. We are not alone! We met virtually weekly to discuss, plan, learn (and even vent) with each other. We were all on this adventure together. Having a group of 8 learning coaches, Digital Promise and Verizon support helped us create a map of where we wanted to go.
Early on, Marco Torres told us if we don’t have a plan have a process. We took to heart that sentiment and at first we created a process for our parents, students and teachers.  As time went on Regina and I, along with our district, created more of a plan of where we were heading. We have continued to define, refine and develop our process and protocols to support our teachers and students in their learning goals.
At first it was overwhelming with issues that arose. At times I felt that I was just putting out fires as soon as they started. But a marvelous thing happened along the way. We slowly began to change the culture. It wasn’t overnight but a constant steady pace. You don’t see it happening and then you look back to where you started and you see the remarkable difference. The transformation wasn’t overnight and didn’t come without a few bumps in the road. We are still ironing out some of those wrinkles. The amazing thing is that none of our teachers can remember (or want to go back) to what it was like before we started this journey. Having our students be able to create, document, research, connect and learn anywhere has been worth all of the growing pains. We don’t talk about the iPad anymore, it is just a tool that is being used to further anything and everything in and out of the classroom. It is just an integral part of our school.

We are fortunate that the people of our city feel strongly about education. They just recently passed a referendum to financially support our schools for years to come. With that, our district is expanding our 1:1 program to the other schools in our district. Regina and I are already working with our district to plan for the successful rollout to our other schools.  We are passing along the lessons learned to create a fluid and self-sustaining system and hoping to avoid the mistakes of our growing pains.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Future Ready

Two and a half years ago we started a partnership with Digital Promise and Verizon and began a journey together. I can’t believe how far we have come in that time. In the beginning we started with an idea, a concept of how to change education on child at a time. We were on an unknown journey and we were the map makers. We were forging our way into the unknown. Every student and teacher was given a tablet and 5gb of data per month. Equal access for every student regardless of their situation. It was a game changer. For many of our students this gave them the opportunity to be like their peers. We were able to reduce some of the challenges that they face. They now have a device and access to the great big world around them. Our job is to help them navigate those waters successfully.

For our journey to continue on this path we have to show our stakeholders what we have accomplished and where we are heading. This video was created to present to our Superintendent and the School Board to give them an idea of what our schools are transforming into. Regina, my counterpart at Chute MS, and I talked about what video we could show that would give a good sense of all that we have accomplished. After looking at many of our stories I decided to create a new video that shows the culture of our two schools is changing and that learning is taking place all over the building. Our students grow, learn and excel everyday in all subjects and disciplines. We have momentum going in the right direction and we want to make sure that it continues. We owe it to our students!


Thursday, February 5, 2015

Empowerment


Empower |emˈpou(-ə)r|
verb-give (someone) the authority or power to do something, make (someone) stronger and more confident.

I have a group of students that are my tech team.  They have taken on many roles in our 1:1 iPad initiative and I have watched a progression since the start of the year. When we first started I had my hand in every aspect making sure that everything was done “right”. Giving every student an iPad is a massive undertaking. I wanted everything to go right, so I took control.  I handled every aspect and made sure that nothing could go wrong.  I quickly learned that no man is an island and that I couldn’t do everything. I was being pulled in every direction.
empowerment.JPG
More importantly, it goes against everything that I believe as a teacher. My role is to educate, guide and empower my students; not dictate. I needed to take a different approach, to shift responsibility and ownership to my teachers and students. (I also wanted to keep my sanity.)

I used a gradual release of responsibility; the “I do”, “We do”, “You do” method to build the skills and confidence. My tech crew and I created a set of tutorials to help students and teachers. The first couple I planned, shot and edited the whole tutorials. I took on the role of writer, director and editor.  The next couple I involved the tech team in the whole process, giving them more responsibilities each time. My role shifted to director, overseeing the process and let them handle the writing and directing.

Then there comes a point where you have to give up control and trust that the lessons taught and experience gathered will be sufficient.  Today was a big step in that process. I challenged my team to undertake one of our storytelling challenges. In the past I have taken a bigger role in these video productions but with this challenge I stepped back and only consulted with them, I was the executive producer. I watched them face challenges and make mistakes while figuring it out on their own. They had some audio and lighting issues and had to retake some of the shots. I sat back and watched them figure out how they wanted to shoot and edit it.   I only stepped in and gave a tip or suggestion here and there (I couldn’t help myself).  

I am excited to see where they’re going. I am so proud of them and I think, no, I know that they are going to keep amazing me this year. I am going to be very sad at the end of the year when these 8th graders move on. My challenge (and theirs) is to cultivate some younger students to fill their big shoes when they graduate.

Education is about empowering our students to be strong and confident. Sometimes our students struggle and F.A.I.L. (First Attempt in Learning) and that’s where our challenge starts. As teachers we need to know when and how to let our students struggle and when to step in before frustration and loss of confidence. That is a fine line we walk and when it works it’s amazing.

I have learned as much as I have taught. Now that’s empowerment!

Friday, January 30, 2015

Resolutions

Gyms typically sell memberships with the expectation that a mere 18% of people will actually use them. <http://www.quora.com/What-percentage-of-new-gym-members-in-January-stop-coming-after-February> People set goals that they will never achieve. In the past I have set some outrageous goals like competing in a mini triathlon, grade all of my students essays over the weekend and unfortunately they were unrealistic for many reasons and they failed miserably. Forbes reports that only 8% of people will achieve their resolution this year. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2013/01/01/just-8-of-people-achieve-their-new-years-resolutions-heres-how-they-did-it/> As I start the new year, I don't want my teachers' goals to be part of that 92% of failed resolutions.

When it comes to resolutions we ask our students what are their goals and how are they are going to accomplish them? We assume that they now have four months of the year under their belt so how are they going to be better? Many students give the answer that they think we want to hear, “Get better grades”, “ Study more”, “turn in my work on time”. Those are all good resolutions but for many a student, nothing changes. They fail because we don’t give them the tools for their goal to be successful. We think that they know how to set and achieve goals.

As an Instructional Technology Coach, my job is ALL about goals- helping teachers and students to them, and mostly helping them keep their goals. The key to setting and keeping goals are making sure they are specific, realistic and attainable.

What I mean by that is when you are setting a goal make it specific. For example many students love to say they want to get good grades. As good of a goal as that is it is not specific enough to accomplish. What do you mean by good grades? An A, B, C or D may all be good grades to different students. Which class? Which subject? We need to narrow down that goal to the point that we can make a plan for success.

Be realistic! I am going to lose 50 pounds, or go to the health club everyday (when you haven’t set foot in the health club last year) or I am going to get straight “A’s” when they are not passing any of their classes. Being realistic means that you have to set a goal that you won’t get FRUSTRATED everyday. It is not realistic to go to the health club everyday, try setting an attainable goal of 1 or 2 times a week. Then if you miss a day you haven’t lost sight of your goal (and won’t give up too easily). You even have a chance to exceed your goal which will help you keep you going.

Making your goal attainable is more than just stating an outcome. Such as, “I want to lose 50 pounds.” How are you going to get there? Are you going to cut something out of your diet or cut down portion size? Make your goals something that you can reach and stay on task. More importantly your goal should not be weight loss. Your goal should be eating healthier or working out and the outcome will be weight loss. You are not focussing on your weight but on your lifestyle, how do you want to live? Now that’s the goal!

All of my teachers are in different places so there is not just one goal. Every teacher needs to look to where they want go. I am there to help guide them and keep them from getting lost. I am their personal trainer, the one who yells at you when you are slacking at the health club. You hate that guy while you are struggling but deep down you know they have your best interest in mind.

My job is to foster, guide and challenge the teachers so they inturn can do the same for the students. Unlike the New Year’s health club craze (or diet) this won’t stop in a week!

Let’s be the 8% of successful resolutions!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

The iPad Guy is Dead!

The iPad Guy is dead! Ok, maybe not dead but he doesn’t come around as much as before. And that’s just fine by me. A month into our 1:1 iPad rollout and I am hoping that guy is gone and the new guy; Instructional Technology Coach is born. The thing is….I’m both those guys. But from the beginning I have been dealing with many issues such as permission slips, Apple IDs, connection issues, insurance, apps not working and iPads not working just to name a few.


Officially I am an Instructional Technology Coach and not iPad Guy. Ultimately, the job is to work with the teachers creating and enhancing their curriculum with technology infusion. I feel that I am starting to be able to work with the teachers and be in the classroom teaching, co-teaching and supporting both teachers and students in the education process not IT. The good news is that iPad guy has some progeny. He has created some amazing students that have taken on the role that iPad guy filled.

I was in Ms. Figueroa’s 6th grade math class where the students were showing their mastery of dividing fractions. The students could show it any way they wanted. Some chose to create a movie while others used a recordable whiteboard. What was amazing was that the teacher gave them the space to show their mastery and they were teaching each other both math and technology. After watching a couple of these, I think I understand how to divide fractions.

The iPad guy comes still comes around, sometimes just to visit the iPad kids or even lend a hand. But I am hoping to see him less and less. No hard feelings but sometimes we just need to say goodbye. Things change (for the better)!

Long Live the Instructional Tech Coach!

Monday, November 17, 2014

Sherlock Holmes to the Rescue

One of my fears came to fruition today.  A student came to me and said that her iPad was stolen. Immediately I needed to know: Who, What, When, Where and How? She told me that it happened after PE class.

IMG_0005.JPGDuring PE the students go down to the gym and they are all assigned a space in a lock box. They don’t use the iPads everyday in PE and we came up with a safe and easy storage solution.  She said that she put her iPad in her assigned slot and after gym it was not there. She thought that someone might have taken it. We checked with the other 6th grade classes and no one had her iPad.

Find My iPad.jpgAfter talking with our IT staff we decide to see if “Find My iPad” would work. I wasn’t sure how accurate it would be able to tell me where in our school it was or only that it was at this address? I had her log into her Find My iPad on my iPad and I sent her back to class.  It found the iPad and as I zoomed in I was able to see that it was at the other end of our school in the gym. I was able to see about where it was located. The best thing about find my iPad is that you can send a sound or message to the iPad. I sent a sound and it will ring for 2 minutes. Immediately I was able to hear the sound and began to look for the missing iPad. I narrowed the sound down to the lock boxes. I had to get on my hands and knees to finally find the iPad in the back of the lock box.

The word is out that I was able to find the missing iPad. Ultimately, I don’t think anyone was “behind” the iPad caper. I think that it was inadvertently pushed to the back of the locked box and was she overlooked that it was pushed to the back. Our iPads have a dark Lifeproof case and the inside of the box is black. But it is good to know that if it was taken, that I might be able to find the culprit and return the iPad to rightful owner.

Case solved.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Let the Fun Begin

Photos courtesy of
Marco Torres
It’s been one week since we rolled out close to 300 iPads to our 5th through 8th graders. The rollout night was actually a blur to me. I had spent so many hours planning to make sure that it went as smoothly as possible that when it was actually happening I didn’t relax until it was over. It’s always hard to enjoy your own party when you’re the host.


I had an amazing group of teachers who pitched in and made the event run without any major problems. The event culminated with a performance by our Middle School Rock ON-semble.  It was a great way to finish the night watching the principal doing (more like attempting) the moonwalk.


I had a parent tell me that I made Christmas come early this year! The students are very excited about having the iPads in their hands while the teachers are trying to figure out just how to implement them into their classroom.


We have had some great victories this week. I have watched students working and helping each other get familiar with their iPads. Teachers have been pushing themselves to create and implement new lessons to showcase the iPad’s versatility.  Many students are starting to be more organized using iCal and Google Drive. It is a joy to see.


But it hasn’t been all roses. there are some needs and concerns that we are addressing. The biggest problem that we have is that not all students have Apple IDs. We use Apple IDs with our MDM to push out the apps we want our students to have. The issue is that students under the age of 13 need their parents to follow some steps to set up their Apple ID and we working to get all parents on board. Teachers are working out guidelines and language that is consistent across our school community to make the iPad use most effective and efficient in all classes.


No matter how much you plan, everything is not always going to go smoothly. I am one of those people that worry about every possible problem so I am thrilled at how well it has gone so far. I know that we will encounter some unexpected things with the iPads but I am now confident that we will figure it out and come out smarter and strong because of it.

Let the fun begin! I am excited to start working with my teachers on awesome curricular implementation. Here we go….