Learning to Teach with Mobile Technology

1. Learning to Teach with Mobile Technology Julie Mueller CSSE May 27, 2012 Wilfrid Laurier University

2. Trends in Technology and Education The Horizon Report • "abundance of resources and relationships ... made available by the Internet" • "wherever, whenever" • "world of work is increasingly collaborative"

3. Effective Technology Integration TPACK Integration Support Teacher Charac- teristics Mueller, 2009

4. Make IT Happen: Technology Initiative • Teacher Characteristics: volunteers, team building and identity • Teacher Knowledge: self-identified technology interest/skill; collaborative construction of and access to knowledge • Support: schools identified as supportive; tech support staff; 2 day workshop and term meetings; web page and Google docs

5. Particulars • 17 Teacher Education Candidates • 7 Professional Development Schools • range of expertise and resources • 2 day workshop with TECs, Technology Support Teachers, Associate Teachers and Principals • Make IT Happen (MIH) TECs peer support • 3 meetings across year • Professional Learning Network (Twitter)

6. Purpose and Expectations Survey of MIH TECs: • why: leadership, learning about integrating technology, meeting students where they are, accelerating learning, past experience, improve skills, differentiate from other teachers • expectations:improve skills, exposed to technology, taught how to use, learn about, none, learn to use, meet "like minded" teachers, opportunity to try technologies

7. Impact on Learning to Teach • comfort and preparation: "having the MIH experience helped me to feel confident in talking about technology" • not much • enhanced teaching and assessment strategies • placement at tech school: access • ideas for ways to use technology

8. Make IT Happen Initiative + • learning about technologies/ experimentation • collaboration • placement at PDS • leadership expectations - • integrate instruction within courses • lack of time for connections • schools lacked resources • instruction rather than exploration • need defined role

9. PlayBooks for Mobile Learning http://static7.businessinsider.com/image/4d6bd715cadcbbdf051e0000/rim-blackberry-playbook.jpg

10. Path to Integration: learning tool "accessibility of it" "you can guide them" "on the spot...neat and engaging" "show and demonstrate in real time" "feels like they have ownership" "show your colleagues what you are doing" "...on Twitter...collaboration" "excellent feedback tool" "pushing the limit"

11. Path to Integration: leadership "portability--conferences, photos" "change across the year...teachers have found what works for them" "teacher communicating from distance" - discussion about how they were used by teachers--small groups signed out - learning to teach while learning technology - suggestions for others in terms of projects

12. Path to Integration: some potential "way of offering choice", "ensure students were on topic" "PlayBook had some limitations...for my use" "you can do that...just as easily with the computer" "incorporating technology in a meaningful way..." "easier to take notes with a laptop" "no good reason not to use technology" "makes students happier...engages them"

13. Lessons Learned • teacher characteristics are key • both learning and teaching tool • form identity as group to support other TECs • development at varying pace • teachers need to see it in action • immersion is important to seeing technology as learning and teaching tool • increased involvement from faculty within courses

14. Where Do We Go From Here? • further examples and collaboration amongst TECs and MIH TECs • repository of examples of teaching and learning tool • provide reason to join and maintain contact with other MIH TECs • additional tutoring for those who need to raise comfort level