When I first signed up for the Learning Leader project I knew that it would be a good way for me to continue to learn about technology and to increase my ability to use it productively in the classroom.  I have always understood the importance of integrating technology in the classroom, especially in today’s digital world. However, as a grade two teacher, I had been finding it difficult to use technology beyond the SMARTBoard, net books, and laptops etc. My main concern was my students’ ability to independently use technology, and to be quite honest, I wasn’t sure how I would be able to miraculously grow 20 hands to help them all at once. In saying this though, Learning Leader has introduced me to apps that are engaging, and allow my students the opportunity to use technology beyond the laptops in their everyday work. I am happy to say I have seen a shift in the amount and use of technology in my classroom from September until now.

One of my favourite apps is Haiku Deck.  Haiku Deck is a simple, and effective method for my students to present information and share their knowledge. I particularly like Haiku Deck because it is very easy to follow for my grade twos, which means they are able to independently work on the iPad when they are using Haiku Deck.  In the classroom students have used Haiku Deck for anything from sharing what they want for Christmas from their parents, to making a presentation on information that will be researched on an insect of their choice.

Another app that I have found useful in using in my classroom is the “Show Me” app. This app allows students to demonstrate their understanding of a topic on an iPad.  ”Show Me” has been very helpful for students’ to demonstrate their understanding of math concepts.  I regularly have students use the “Show Me” app to solve a problem in math. Students are able to write down the problem and show how they solve it, as well as talk and record their thoughts at the same time.

Both the “Haiku Deck” and the “Show Me” app have been very useful for my students and easy to integrate in my classroom.  An app that I have not used in the classroom, but have found useful for my personal use as well as professional growth has been “Zite”.  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the articles on Zite. This app has allowed me to keep up to date on the latest educational articles for professional growth as a teacher. I have also been using Google Drive. Google Drive has been extremely beneficial and useful for me as I am able to share ideas with others, as well as access my files from any computer.  I no longer have to worry about emailing myself a file at the end of the day, or putting a file onto a USB drive so I can access it from home.

Coming into Learning Leader I knew that Twitter would be a big part of the process. Over the past year I have begun to use Twitter more and am slowly becoming more comfortable with using it for connecting with others through social media.  I am slowly trying to come out of the “lurker” phase and am beginning to share articles and thoughts on Twitter more regularly, however, this is still an area of growth for me.  I often find myself looking on Twitter for ideas and articles related to education, however, I am still learning and becoming more comfortable with sharing ideas and commenting on others’ ideas.

I have given two sessions with my colleague to our staff. The first session was on Google Drive. Andrew and I gave this session after school. Overall, Google Drive was very well received by the staff.  Everyone likes the idea of being able to share documents with colleagues and were able to give many different examples in how they could do this. However, they were also intrigued at the idea of being able to have students share documents and vice versa. The main glitch we were running into however, was when we had staff try to log into their Google account provided by PSD they could not access it.  At the end of the session everyone said they were interested in pursuing Google Drive and Google Docs as a staff and possibly using it on a regular basis in school.  The second session we gave was on Snap Chat.  Snap Chat is an app that is widely used by teens to send photos on an iPhone or Android device. Snap Chat allows users to take a photo, draw or write on it, and share it with another user, however, the catch is that the photo is dissolved in a matter of seconds once it has been received by the recipient. In saying this though, the photos sent on Snap Chat can be captured by the recipient via a screen shot…so they are really never deleted. The staff was quite surprised to hear about this app and all the myths associated with it.  We had a lengthy discussion about our role as educators and how we can help to keep our students safe with the modern technology and ever changing apps. Overall, both sessions that were presented to staff were well received by the staff.

Learning Leader has been a great learning process for me.  I have become more comfortable with integrating technology into my classroom in a variety of ways as well as using technology for my own professional growth.

The Learning Leader Project was definitely a great way for me to kick my own butt into using technology in a more productive and engaging way (and more often).  There is something to be said about linking some form of accountability with professional development; it certainly allows for more successful practice!

Some of my favourite apps that I’ve used in my Grade 5 classroom are; Haiku Deck, Google Drive, Dragon Dictation and my absolute favourite has been iMovie!  I mostly use Haiku Deck for students who struggle and are significantly behind their peers; we’ve used it to summarize a story, write about our feelings and to write reports.  With iMovie, we are finishing creating a “movie” for each student (by the end of the year) which is also posted to our classroom blog; these make great keepsakes for students/parents.

Using Twitter has been one of the most beneficial ways I’ve been able to connect with other teachers/educators.  It allows learning and sharing to flow any time of day, and the responses and information shared are quick and effortless.  If I had to recommend any form of social media to new and/or seasoned teachers, it would definitely be Twitter!

The sessions delivered to staff went well and included; an introduction to Google Docs/Drive (discussing and demonstrating its usefulness), user friendly iPad apps, and support to those just embarking on the rapidly changing and progressing world of technology!  Muir Lake School has been a leading school in technology for a while, so for many teachers much of this information was not new to them.  We are however, already seeing the huge benefits of using Google Drive/Docs and enjoying the convenience and continuity among the staff.

I am extremely thankful for being given the opportunity to have hands-on experience during the Learning Leader Project.  I will most certainly continue using technology in my classroom, and am far less apprehensive towards learning new technologies as the rewards are many!

My favorite and most useful apps that I have used during this project are Dragon Dictation and Haiku Deck. Both of these apps were use frequently by a student who would have otherwise needed someone to sit with him to scribe. Dragon Dictation enabled him to independently respond to questions in Math, Social Studies and Science. In LA he was able to create pieces of writing within a reasonable time frame as well. Haiku deck was used to help students learn high frequency words in LA. In Social and Science it was used to demonstrate understanding of concepts using pictures and short statements.

I can’t say I have had any “A-ha” moments when using social media, but I can say it has changed the way I teach. Social media has given teachers a way to share what they are doing in the classroom without feeling like they are “bragging”. When I am needing ideas all I have to do is ask and surely someone has something valuable to share. If I think I have done something of value, I just have to blog about it and share the link…it is there for others should they find it useful. It has completely changed how I share what I am doing in my classroom, as well as how I get ideas for my classroom. I still use google, but it certainly isn’t the only place I go.

I believe that the process of transitioning from the traditional way of doing things to the more technological way of doing things is more complex for some than others. Because of this, I feel like it was important to introduce all that we have learned at the sessions we completed, and to let staff know that we are here to help as they need it. I feel like my “session” is ongoing. I like to talk to people one on one about where they are in their own journey and then provide suggestions for next steps. I feel like technology can be extremely intimidating to those who are “reluctant” and unsure. I think it is important that we support and encourage them from where they are, rather than making them feel like they should be at a point that they are not yet at.
The positive impact that technology can have in the classroom from both the student and teacher perspective is undeniable, and therefore I believe it is essential that I demonstrate how “simple” it can make what we do, when it is used effectively. It is very challenging however for people to understand and accept that it is not “just one thing”, but that it does require a change in practice. My journey as a “Learning Leader” will most definitely continue, and I am hopeful that I can make a difference in both my students way of learning and my colleagues way of teaching.

Learner Leader Project was engaging as it was a hands on experience and that is how I learn best, just do it.
Zite, Show Me and Haiku Deck were definitely my favourite apps to use within my classroom.
As for A-ha moments, playing with the apps, and I am not a big fan on blogging and twitter, thinking no one really wants to hear what is happening in my world and also the privacy issue, however saying that I thoroughly enjoyed reading updated twitter comments from colleagues friends and family. Information sharing was immediate, someone posted a math website, math frog activities, which I use, and also local sharing of information was fun!
First sharing session for me was sharing Zite with Social teachers in my school. I loved the world news, current and also allowed students to gather information and have insight on what is happening in the world. With our current events part of our social studies curriculum, it was a fantastic app for students to use to find a real current event and also to try and understand the impact these events would have on us in Canada. Also broaden their world and make statements about happenings in the world, positive and devastating news events.
Second sharing session was Haiku Deck with Language Arts teachers. This worked well in the class, students love to have a picture to import as their background and then their visual thoughts became words on the page.
Show Me was a favourite for the students as they could share their strategies on how to solve Math problems, discuss and come up with a resolution.
The impact that these apps have had on our school is the teachers and students are now using them and engaged in learning. Independent learners have shown others how to prepare and accomplish tasks by using these apps. Peer teaching and sharing has been huge for their confidence and their sense of community. Students identify their style of learning and share with staff and fellow students. They have learned to use their devices to support their learning, not just a social media between friends. They are excited to give details of information that they have discovered to enrich the school day for all the class.
I have thoroughly loved learning to work with the ipad and to understand all of the value that the apps have to deepen learning in our classrooms with a few quick clicks.