Technology Integration Initiative (Hayhurst)

Abigail Hayhurst
Fairmont State University
EDUC 6812
Spring 2013

Technology Integration Initiative

Powering Up Our Students:  iPad Integration

Needs Assessment

When I began thinking about my technology integration initiative for Nutter Fort Intermediate, the school where I student taught and subbed a long term assignment, I decided to talk to the third grade teachers about their technology needs.  The technology that is currently in most third grade classrooms consists of: two to three desk top computers, one printer, a SMART board, a projector, and one iPad.  When I asked the teachers what technology they would like to have, that they believe would benefit their students the most, the overwhelming response was for a classroom set of iPads.

Nutter Fort Intermediate has two computer labs and four mobile labs with laptops.  Due to the large number of students enrolled, around 534 students for grades 3-5, students’ access to this technology is limited.  The way the schedule is set up each class gets half a day with the laptops, half a day in the computer lab, and one planning period in the computer lab per week.  That is roughly only five hours per week utilizing technology.

It is difficult for teachers to integrate technology into their lessons because of their lack of resources.  Since most classrooms have around twenty three students and only two or three desk top computers, it is hard to integrate technology when only a few can use it at a time.  The only time the students get to use the technology themselves is when they are in the computer lab or have the mobile lab for those few hours a week.

With a classroom set of iPads the teachers would have the opportunity to integrate technology into every lesson they teach.  The iPads can be used to read online articles and texts, conduct research, create multimedia projects, communicate with students around the world, and so much more.  It will not only enable teachers to meet common core standards, but also NETS standards.  If every student has this technology in their hands, the possibilities are endless.

Cost Benefit Analysis

The integration of iPads into the classroom will require a combination of hardware, software, and PLC training.  The hardware required includes the iPads, a charging station, a MacBook computer to sync and run maintenance on them, covers, and an adapter.  The software is needed to load the iPads with the educational apps.

Teacher PLCs will be needed to talk about strategies to integrate the iPads, learn to use the applications on the iPad, and discuss plans for improvement for the next school year.  The breakdown of the costs can be found below (the breakdown is per classroom):

 

MacBook computer for sync and maintenance of iPads	$899
Apple iPad Learning Lab with 10 iPad 2 (16 GB Wi-Fi devices) and 1 Bretford mobile charging and sync cart	$7,299
10 Apple iPad 2 Smart Covers	$390
Software purchase budget for apps	$865
Apple VGA adapter	$29
Teacher salary for PLC X 8 teachers X 3 days of PLC	$3,600
Total Cost of Proposal (with tax)	$13,600

The good news is the cost of the hardware will only be needed the first year for each classroom.  Once the classroom is equipped with the iPads and accessories they can be used for years to come.  The only cost that will be needed year to year is the cost of the PLC training days and any new software that the teachers want.

Timeline

January-May	o   Gather resources and write grant proposal o   Submit grant proposal o   Acquire funding
June-July	o   Delivery of iPads and accessories
August	o   Bring in teachers for a PLC to explore iPads and discuss strategies and learning objectives for the integration of the iPads.
September	o   Introduce iPads to the students. o   Review policies and procedures for using the iPads. o   Conduct initial student and teacher tech surveys and interviews
October	o   Begin using multimedia and web content in the questioning and information gathering stages of student inquiry.
November-December	o   Begin using multimedia products to communicate student learning. o   Publish student created multimedia projects on classroom web sites and iPads.
January-February	o   Reflect and refine our model at follow-up PLC.
March-April	o   Share the iPad integration model at school wide professional development session. o   Invite tech leaders to support the grant team in modifying the iPad integration model for upper grades, testing in the classroom as appropriate. o   Present student created multimedia work at our school wide professional development session.
May	o   End of year student and teacher reflections and tech surveys. o   End of year data analysis.
June	o   Reflection and planning for year two.

Professional Development Strategy

My professional development strategy for integrating iPads into the classroom is to use a PLC.  I believe this strategy will be the most beneficial to accomplish our goal.  Since the teachers are going to be the ones to use this technology in their classrooms, they need to be at the center of the initiative.

To begin, the year before we want to begin the implementation, the PLC will meet to do research on the benefits and costs of iPads in the classroom.  From that research, the PLC will write and submit a grant for funding.

When the funding is secured and the technology has been delivered the PLC will meet again (before the new school year begins).  During this meeting the teachers will set up and explore the iPads.  They will discuss strategies on how to integrate them into their classrooms, as well as policies and procedures for student use of them.  They will talk about the different apps that they would like to purchase for the iPads, and also how they will use these apps to meet the common core standards and the NETS standards.

Midway through the school year, after the iPads have been integrated, the PLC will meet again.  They will reflect on how they have used the new technology and how it has benefited their students.  They will show examples of student work that has been created on the iPad, and choose work to be shared at the next school wide professional development session.  Teachers will problem solve any issues they are having with the iPads, and begin refining the model for the initiative.

Finally, at the end of the school year, the PLC will meet to review teacher and student surveys, student data, and plan for year two of the initiative.

This strategy works best because the teachers are collaborating with each other about what works and doesn’t work in their classrooms.  They are the ones who have the say on how the technology is best utilized, because they are the ones who see it used in action.

Professional Development Materials

During the PLC at the beginning of the school year I will present my PowerPoint, “Powering Up Our Students”.  This presentation will address the goals, challenges, strategies, and benefits of the iPad integration initiative.  After the PLC, each teacher will receive an email with a link to the presentation, a list of apps discussed, and a survey about their thoughts on the initiative.

Sources

A Framework for using iPads to Build Early Literacy Skills. (2013). The Reading Teacher, 66(7), 531+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.fairmontstate.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA323805239&v=2.1&u=fairmt&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

This article discusses apps that can be used to target early literacy skills.  It provides examples of modeling, guided and independent practice, and differentiation of instruction.

Brantley, B. (2013). iPad Apps for Teaching Success. Techniques, 88(2), 8+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.fairmontstate.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA320734815&v=2.1&u=fairmt&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

This article discusses how to use apps for teacher organization, student engagement, and student assessment.

Brunsell, E., & Horejsi, M. (2013). Data Through the Air. The Science Teacher, 80(1), 10.  Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.fairmontstate.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA315921235&v=2.1&u=fairmt&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

This article discusses how to use iPads for student data collection in a science class.

Byrne, R. (2012, December). Assessment on the go with Mobile Tools: mobile apps and mobile-friendly websites make student assessment easy and interactive. School Library Journal, 58(12), 17.  Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.fairmontstate.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA311292124&v=2.1&u=fairmt&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

This article discusses different ways to assess student learning using the iPad.  Includes examples of informal and formal assessment.

Gray, Julie.  (Dec 2012).  iPad and iPod Classroom Integration and Grant Writing.  Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/groups/technology-tools/251426

 

This website offers tips for writing a grant proposal for iPads.  Includes where to look for funding and an example of a grant proposal.

Guernsey, Lisa.  (April 2013).  The Smart Way to Use iPads in the Classroom.  Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2013/04/ipads_in_the_classroom_the_right_way_to_use_them_demonstrated_by_a_swiss.html

This article highlights how a school in Switzerland uses their iPads to encourage the creative side of their students.  They use picture, video, and portfolios to display their learning.

Harrison County Schools.  (2013). Retrieved from http://www.harcoboe.com/

This website offers information for schools in Harrison County.

ISTE:  International Society for Technology in Education.  (2013). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards

This website lists the NETS standards for technology.

Keys to a Successful iPad Initiative: Archbishop Riordan High School tackles the challenges of implementing iPads in the classroom. (2012, November). District Administration, 48(10), 20+.  Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.fairmontstate.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA307788550&v=2.1&u=fairmt&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

This article discusses strategies and tips to implementing iPads into the classroom.  It also talks about challenges and how to overcome them.

Laine, Amy.  (2013). iPad Grants to Improve Learning.  Retrieved from http://www.squidoo.com/ipad-grants

This website has a lot of grant resources; where to find funding, how to write different iPad grants, the cost of integrating iPads, and sample grants.

McCrea, Bridget.  (May 2011).  Elementary iPads.  Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/05/04/elementary-ipads.aspx

This article discusses implementing iPads in an elementary classroom.  It also talks about professional development when integrating iPads.