York Region teachers head to school to learn technology

YorkRegion.com
July 16, 2014
By Chris Traber

Giving up summer break “me” time, York Region elementary teachers returned to school this week to learn how to put more “i” in their classrooms.

The capitalization and grammar are off, but considering the course is iCreate, iInnovate, iEducate with iPads in the Primary Classroom, creative license can be exercised.

Participants attending the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario 2014 Summer Academy at Maple High School in Vaughan were given a three-day workshop on how to transform classrooms with iPads.

With an array of new technologies, including the iPad, iPod and iPhone, the creation, delivery, and functionality of classroom lessons is changing at a rapid pace, academy site location manager Jennifer Smalley Higgs said.

The sessions offer professional learning for teachers, by teachers, said Smalley Higgs, a special education resource teacher at Markham’s Franklin Street Public School.

Specifically, the educators explored how iPads can inspire hands-on student learning in a purposeful and authentic way, she said.

Teachers examined the potential for creating classrooms that are innovative, choice-driven, collaborative and creative using applications such as video conferencing, tweeting and blogging, and creating both videos and books.

“This is the evolution of learning,” she said. “The teacher becomes the facilitator of knowledge, rather than the sole owner of knowledge.”

In addition to improving student engagement, iPad-based learning helps create digitally responsible citizens, she said, adding with apps such as Skype, students can connect globally and “move away from four walls”.

The attendees’ expertise ranges from novice to expert, Smalley Higgs said.

Meadowbrook Public School kindergarten teacher Mieke Meere can’t wait to apply her new iPad skills.

“I wish school started next week,” the Newmarket educator said. “I use the technology to widen the children’s experience. I want them to think of themselves as global citizens, so they can take care of the world they’ll be living in.”

Occasional public board teacher Piera Nardi uses an iPad personally. When she substitutes, she can pick up lesson plans seamlessly on the iPad.

“It can be used for any subject,” she said. “It has good context for math and literacy and eventually, I can see it helping schools go paperless.”

Meadowbrook teacher and librarian Louanne Gettel has used iPads for three years. She wants to build technology into the classroom to connect students and teachers with the global community.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “Children are fearless when it comes to technology. We’re learning together.”

Gettel also uses the iPad to teach media literacy, including Internet safety, the digital lexicon and the issue of online bullying.

Armitage Village Public School Grade 2 teacher Angela Baker is somewhat iPad savvy and is enjoying the learning curve. The Newmarket educator began using the technology in class last year and hopes funding will be available for more units.

“I’m impressed with the iPad,” she said. “It engages and inspires students. With the Internet, they connect with kids all over the world.”

Baker suggests educators shouldn’t dismiss traditional learning while embracing technology, recommending a balance of old and new.

Course instructor Kristen Wideen, a Greater Essex-Windsor public board grades 2 and 3 teacher, agreed.

“The technology flattens classroom walls, but we need a happy medium of paper and pencil and technology,” she said. “There’s a place for both.”

As an Apple Distinguished Educator, she travels North America instructing teachers how to maximize iPad benefits. The technology is increasingly mainstream, she said.

“It’s an amazing innovation, Wideen said. “Students respond to this as a teaching tool. It has major upside. It gives students a voice. They’re not just performing for teachers anymore. Now they get feedback from peers. It’s very engaging.”

With iPad and other tablets becoming more affordable and powerful, she envisions the technology being incorporated into more courses.

She applauds her colleagues for becoming students.