Integrating new technologies to empower learning and transform leadership Digital Classrooms - Are they really worth it?

Aims for the session What exactly is a digital classroom?  Discussion  What would it look like in a classroom?  What equipment do I need?  What would the children do? By the end of this session, I hope to answer these key questions; What does this mean for me?  Challenge  How would me manage this? Does it work? Can you prove it?  Examples  Evidence  Discussion

A bit about me  I am currently the IT Coordinator for Clendon Park School and Leader of the Digital Class team. I am also responsible for supporting teachers across the school to infuse IT into their classroom programmes.  I have taught at all levels of primary school ranging from New Entrants to Year 6’s. Although most of my teaching has been in lower decile schools, I have also taught in a decile 8 school.  I am passionate about integrating IT into everyday life and learning and equipping our kids with the skills needed to succeed in the future.

A bit about the “Guinea Pig” Class  Not pre-selected class.  Year 3/4 class  Mixture of abilities.  Contained a child with severe behavioural needs and also a child who was a severe truant.

A bit about the 2010 Crew  16 of the Guinea Pig Class remained.  New children in were selected this time.  Year 4/5class  Still had a mixture of abilities.  Contained a child who is on the autism spectrum and a recent addition with behavioural needs.

Discussion  What do you think digital tools are?  What do you think a digital class is & isn’t?

What exactly is a digital class? Throughout the day and across the curricula means being able to include tools in a meaningful way in all subject areas. E.g. using the video camera in Physical Education to evaluate the learning of a new skill. A classroom where are to aid learning To incorporate meaningfully we need to ensure the activities are targeted and linked to the children/group/class learning intentions. IT tools can be any digital device (not just the computer). For example; word processing, graphing, digital cameras, video cameras, blogs, wikis, multimedia programmes, PowerPoint, skype, on-line sites/applications, , voice recording, radios etc. IT tools do not replace “traditional” activities and approaches, it adds to your repertoire. IT toolsincorporated meaningfully throughout the day and across the curricula.

What makes a digital classroom different?  Seeing IT as a tool that can be used in everyday life and school.  Using IT to help achieve a specific curriculum learning goal rather than IT being the focus.  Digital activities that are related to learning outcomes (ie not busy work but actual learning work).  Fostering children’s responsibility for behaviour, attitude and learning.  Teaching IT skills within curriculum contexts.

Reflection

What would it look like?

What does this look like in a classroom?

65% of children were below their Chronological Age (CA) when entering in 2009 (this included 41% of the class who were considered well below CA). Just 12% were below CA at the end of 2009 (with only 4% still considered well below CA).

What do the children like about it?

What the children have to say.

What the parents have to say…

What the Principal has to say

Challenege and Discussion  How are digital tools used in your school?  What are they used for?  What could they be used for?  How could they be used?  What could you do on Monday to make a change?  What could you plan for to make a change?

How do I manage it?  Stuff Do you have the equipment?  Policies and legal bits Do you have policies related to o IT use? o Internet Safety? o Images and work online?  SLOWLY! Take one day at a time. Research, visit, discuss, plan for it.  In the Classroom Start by removing one part of your usual maths, writing or reading tumble and replace it with a digital activity that targets the group’s learning goals.

What else do you need to think about?  What is your school’s policy relating to online publication of work and images?  What are your children’s responsibilities related to online use?  Are your children aware of netiquette?

Thankyou  Please ensure you have a copy of the DVD. It has all the information from today (as well as my Breakout 6 information – Making Literacy Fun with IT).  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to chat more, visit my school/classroom, ask questions etc - Skype - Integrating new technologies to empower learning and transform leadership