ISTE 10 Recap: From Add-on Technology to Essential Technology: Constructing a 1-to-1 Aware Curriculum

One of the sessions I attended at the ISTE 10 conference was Elliott Soloway and Cathie Norris’s entitled: “From Add-on Technology to Essential Technology: Constructing 1-to-1 Aware Curriculum”.  It is hard to go wrong with a session by Elliott Soloway, his humor is contagious.

I was interested in this session because I am currently working on a proposal for a 1-to-1 iPad pilot program and study for next year.  I came away with some new perspectives on mobile technologies that I will share at the end of the post.  To begin, here is the gist of the session:

  • “Within 5 years every child in every grade will be learning with mobile technology, it will be bigger than the Internet”- Elliott Soloway
  • There are 7 billion people on the planet and 4 billion mobile devices.
  • The greatest challenge we face as educators is to teach ALL kids.  We need to teach kids “brain jobs” not “back jobs”.  This is 21st Century skills and content.
  • “Right now looking at all the school data is just like moving deck chairs around on the Titanic.” – Elliott Soloway
  • Mobile technology is the game changer.
  • In Singapore, Nan Chi Primary school saw a significant increase in tests scores after introducing smart phones in the 3rd grade science classroom.
  • In a classroom using 1 to 1 mobile devices, not a single child failed to turn in a single homework assignment all year.  Why did that happen? Because they are engaged.
  • Time on task = success
  • The tools have to be used as essential tools, not supplementary.  Supplementing with technology doesn’t move the needle.  Essential means that technology is in hand 24/7 students have complete access to the tool.  Essential means that students are actively engaged in doing and creating.  That doesn’t mean that there aren’t other tools being used.
  • Most things can be done on a mobile phone device.
  • Mobile devices connect students to the real world.  Learning doesn’t end when school does.
  • When you look closely at the studies that show that technology has no impact, you will see that it is because technology was used as a supplement.
  • Technology should be like oxygen, invisible but essential.
  • Mobile devices like the cell phone are ideal because the cost of the device is $0 and what you pay for is the connectivity.  It is a cheap solution.
  • It is about the kids, not the technology.  Let them use their own tools.
  • Mobile devices are growing at a rate of 50% a year, this is the fastest growing technology.  We used to tell teachers to get on the technology bus, now we have to say get on the technology bullet train because it is moving!
  • Elliott mentioned that he doesn’t think that the iPad has a place as a learning device.  His reasoning is that it isn’t what kids are using.  He argues that kids are using cellphones and mobile devices, that the iPad isn’t natural for them.

Elliott was an excellent presenter.  He made some great points about using cellphone technology in the classroom.  I have to disagree with his assessment that the iPad isn’t a good device for kids.  While I like the idea of using cellphone technology and just paying for connectivity, it isn’t what every classroom needs.  The conclusion that I kept coming to is that no classroom situation is the same.  While an inner city school with low access to technology and resources might benefit best from a smart phone for learning, it might not make the same sense in a suburban school with more ubiquitous technology access.  In a poorer neighborhood you will find homes that lack wireless Internet access, putting an iPad in the hands of those kids might not be as successful as giving them a cellphone that they could use to access a cellular data network.  But in a wealthier, suburban neighborhood where wireless Internet is around every corner, an iPad is the perfect device.  What I realized is that there can be no one-size-fits-all approach to education.  One solution isn’t going to solve the education problems of the world.  We need to look at each population and each classroom and choose the solution that makes the most sense for that instance.  Education has to be tailored to the individuals, not the masses.

Soloway is right, we keep trying to make the data tell us a new story.  Policy makers implement new standards and tests as a way to save education.  But that is like moving deck chairs around on the Titanic.  Sure things look different, but it is still a sinking ship.  We need to cut our losses and build a new ship all together.  That new ship should be tailored to fit the needs of the students who are boarding it.  For some that means mobile phone technology, for others iPads, and for some netbooks.  I can argue all day long for the benefits of the iPad in learning but when we get right down to it, the reason I hold that view is because it is perfect for the student population I work with.  It makes sense in our situation.  That may or may not be true of you.

To learn more about the session visit here.

Ten Ways to Boost Learning with Technology

ISTE 10 Videos

ISTE 10 was an incredible conference and experience.  Learning didn’t only occur during the sessions, it happened in the conversations and collaboration between the sessions.  As I mentioned in my last post, it was so much fun to meet members of my PLN in person.  We seemed to fall into conversation and joking like old friends (which I suppose is what we are).   Edublogger Alliance member Buzz Garwood orchestrated some excellent conversations that can be viewed in the following videos:

I was honored that Buzz included me in these videos, but absolutely floored that I got to be in a video with David Warlick.  David’s blog, 2Cents Worth, is the first educational blog that I read.  Corey, Amy, and I got a mini keynote right there while we listened to Buzz interview David.  Once again, as I listened to my peers speak about teaching, learning, and technology I was overwhelmed by the greatness I am surrounded by daily in my PLN.   You guys are amazing!

There are two parts to our video: 21st Century Classroom.  In part one we share our insights on teaching and learning in a digital age.  In part two, we discuss the challenge of using IT to make the classroom relevant and engage students in a learning lifestyle.  (As a side note, I love the idea of ditching the phrase life-long learner for learning lifestyle.)

Personal Learning Networks is another video that Buzz took during the conference, in it he interviews some of the members of my PLN as well as members of the iLearn Technology blogging alliance.

Thank you Buzz for collecting all of this on video, it was a pleasure to meet you and work with you in person!

And Now for something completely different, take a look at this ISTE10 fashion video that my colleague Amy and I got roped into.  Good for a laugh anyway!


ISTE10

@ktenkely (left) @amandacdykes (right)

This week I am at the #ISTE10 conference in Denver!  The conference goes from June 27 to June 30.  ISTE stands for the International Society of Technology in Education, the goal of the conference is to share proven ways that technology can improve and enhance education and learning.  People from all over the world have come to Denver to learn together.  It is truly an amazing sight to have so many passionate educators in one place!

Today I got the chance to meet my PLN in person, what a wonderfully bizarre experience.  We interact on Twitter all day every day and it feels like we are already old friends.  But we had no idea what the other really looked like, what facial expressions they make, what their voice sounded like.  To start putting all of that together was pretty cool.  I got the chance to spend the day with @kylepace, @amandacdykes, @thenerdyteacher, @MrsBMG, @buzzgarwood, and briefly met many other of my awesome PLN.  All I can say is that I wish you all lived closer by so we could hang more often.  We had a blast!

This week things are going to be a little different on iLearn Technology.  My posts will be focused on what I am learning at #ISTE10 that I want to share with all of you.  For those of you new to iLearn Technology, my posts are generally dedicated to quick easy ways to integrate technology into the classroom.  Those posts will resume on Thursday.  Until then, join me on my ISTE journey here and on Twitter. You can follow me @ktenkely or follow the #ISTE10 hash tag.

Learning 2.0 A Colorado Conversation

What it is:

“Education is conversation. Conversation creates change.

The future of education does not exist in an isolated world of theory conveyed through abstract conference sessions. Instead, it exists in conversations that begin with a robust learning network that is ever-expanding and just-in-time. Learning 2.0 is not the beginning of this conversation, rather it is a stopping point; a time to talk about the visible difference that we all seek. We read. We reflect. We write. We share. We learn. Come join us for a day of conversation about learning and technology.”

logo

Learning 2.0 A Colorado Conversation is “ a conference/unconference/meetup for teachers, administrators, students, school board members, parents, community, and anyone else who is interested in education. There is NO COST for attendees to join the conversation.” Participants can attend in person or virtually.  This year Learning 2.0 takes place on Saturday, February 20 at Loveland High School.  Learning 2.0 is in it’s third year.  I attended for the first time in 2009 and throughly enjoyed the conversation, learning, and collaboration.  You can’t beat the price (free) and even luch is included (who says there is no such thing as a free lunch?!).  Sessions range from leadership, classroom practice, to professional development.  Round Table discussions end the day (I am hosting one of these).


Tips: Be sure to register for the event here and add your name to the attendee list here.  I look forward to the conversation and hope you will join us (in person or virtually).


Are you joining the conversation?

K12 Online Conference 2008

The K12 Online Conference 2008 officially kicks off today!  This is a great FREE online conference to attend.   Not only is it convenient for your schedule (you can attend sessions at your convenience online), but you will learn and be inspired by the speakers and presenters.  I highly recommend attending as much of this conference as you can!  You can get involved in the conference in several different ways, as a viewer of each strand, with the blog, wiki, interactive fireside chats, Twitter, Google maps, and an Elluminate event called When Night Falls.  Topics include the ReadWriteWeb Revolution, Free tools for Universal Design for Learning in Literacy, Assessment, Google, Delicious, Primary Access, History, Tech Integration, Reading Revolution, Video Conferencing,  Blogging, Photostory, Games in Education, Emerging Technologies, Wikis, Video Podcasters, and much more.  The conference runs from today, October 20, to Next Saturday, November 1.   Even if you can’t fit it all in during the next two weeks, you can come back later and visit the sessions that are of most interest to you.  There is professional development and credit options available for attending this conference so be sure to look into that as well.

What sessions are of most interest to you?  What have you learned as a result of the K12 Online Conference?

“See” you there! 🙂

Ideas from TIE

Well, now that I am rested up and my head has stopped spinning with all of the info. I took in yesterday at TIE, I am ready to share some goodies!  Jason Ohler was the keynote speaker…I have to say, definitely the highlight for me.  His presentation was on digital storytelling.  While I have dabbled in digital storytelling with my students, Jason has jumped in with both feet!  Jason is quite the storyteller himself and had us captivated as he reminded us of the importance of developing creativity in our students.  As Jason presented, I was madly jotting down notes and have some great quotes to share.

“Literacy today is consuming and producing the media forms of today.  Students need to be able to write whatever they read (or consume).”    I love this, our students are not content with simply taking in literacy, they want to be creators and inventors of their own literacy.  This has expanded beyond simply writing… think about your students obsession with You Tube.

This one is my favorite “Intelligence is measured by your desire to learn.”  I think this is my new life motto.  I need to plaster this all over my classroom.  No Child Left Behind does nothing for intelligence!

“You don’t have to be a technician magician…know free labor when you see it and let the kids do it.”  In other words, you don’t have to know everything or anything about technology.  Your students know how to use technology, let them be the experts and teach each other (and you!)

Jason has an amazing website dedicated to digital storytelling.  You may need to dedicate a chunk of time to this site, trust me you will end up spending time here (hooray summer break, you do have time after all!)  You can even check out some clips of Jason’s keynote speeches on You Tube, these are linked from his presentation page.   Also, be sure to spend some time on the Resources and Projects pages.  You will find lots of treats for the taking!

Are you already digital storytelling?  What advice do you have for those who are thinking about taking the plunge?

More tomorrow, I bought Jason’s book “Digital Storytelling in the Classroom” and it is calling my name!  Happy learning you intelligent readers you! 🙂

TIE Conference

Hi all!  Today I was at the TIE Conference in beautiful Copper Mountain, Colorado…a seriously perfect day 🙂  Great Keynote, and learned about Digital Storytelling and learned Flash for the first time, very exciting!  I’ve been going since early this morning so I will have to postpone a post with substance for later when I can form coherent thoughts.  TTFN