iPad Professional Development
References
Fletcher, J. (2011, November 08).
Professional development: Teacher training should start before iPad deployment.
Retrieved April 12, 2016, from https://thejournal.com/articles/2011/11/08/teacher-training-should-start-before-ipad-deployment.aspx
Mahaley, D. (2013, August 11). IPad
educator professional development - the three R's [Web log post]. Retrieved
April 12, 2015, from emergingeducationtechnologies.com publisher
Summary:
I began looking for articles on providing teachers with
iPad professional development. I found 2 short articles that I would like to
present. Both articles present reasons why teachers need professional development
before there is iPad deployment, as well as continued frequent pd.
The first article was from THE Journal, in which Jan Fletcher
talks about the need for professional development weeks before devices are put
into classrooms. They should have training that focuses on everything you need
to know about how to use an iPad and then continue on to what to do with the device. There should be training that focuses on specific curriculum, as
well as specific student populations.
Additionally, most districts fail to look at what is the
purpose of this device. Is it geared towards intervention, assistive technology,
enrichment, or support? This will help focus what apps are researched and
purchased. Too often apps are picked for their fun or entertainment value and
lessons are then focused around the app, rather than the app being part of a
curriculum framework.
Finally, the article points out that there should be
monthly check-ins and quarterly in-service for teachers, during prep time, or
outside of class time, where teachers have the opportunity to share and
collaborate. Teachers can learn best practices, give and receive feedback, and share
successes and failures.
The second article was from an online blog entitled
Emerging Education Technologies and written by David Mahaley. It focused on
many of the ideas presented by Fletcher, but presented them as the three R’s,
real, relevant, and right on time. The twist from Mahaley is that he is
presenting the information as what you should be looking for when acquiring professional
development. He and his company are trying to sell their services, but does
provide a lot of good information about what to look for.
In order to be real, the professional development provider
must have classroom experience and not be far removed from teaching. The
presenter must actually have regular experience with the device and the
applications in a classroom setting. They must be looking at the actual success
in the classroom, not the wow factor. The presenter must have tested data,
about student success, impact on teaching, and success, rather than just a
brief review of what an app can do.
The second R is making the information relevant. Teachers
need to hear how this device or application will be relevant to their teaching,
the specific needs of their students, and their curriculum. The PD provider
needs to have a background that models that of the target audience. There
should also be PD on different levels. Training for some applications needs to
be done at a school or district level. Other training needs to be grade,
subject, or population specific.
Finally, training needs to be right on time. This means
that PD needs to be done before deployment, to ensure success. Additional
training and tools need to be presented before those skills are needed.
Reflections:
I agree whole heartedly with both of these articles.
Handing teachers, a room full of iPads with little direction or training, is a
recipe for failure. Teachers need to understand what the purpose of the device
is and what the expected outcomes will be. They need to learn from actual
teachers, who are using the devices and the apps, how to be successful. They
should get more than an app sales pitch. Too often I have sat through seminars
that just list app after app and tell the user how great it is. They show a few
really cool features, but don’t really tell attendees how to use it in a real
classroom.
I also agree with Fletcher’s observations that professional
development needs to be ongoing. Too often there is an initial push for
training, and then there is no follow through. Additionally, there is little or
no training for new teachers. We wouldn’t present our students with one lesson,
expect them to know everything, and never cover the topic again. Why would we
expect that from teachers?
I found the blog article from Mahaley helpful in that it
really gave some definite resume items to look for when hiring someone to
provide professional development. This will be helpful when providing training
to teachers in my building.
https://thejournal.com/articles/2011/11/08/teacher-training-should-start-before-ipad-deployment.aspx
http://www.emergingedtech.com/2013/08/ipad-educator-professional-development-the-three-rs/
