Bevan James ACET portfolio: D3 Leading change at our school

Throughout my teaching career I have been heavily involved in many changes to teaching practise. Below are some examples of change I have helped lead during the past three years in the area of E-Learning.

Introducing Ipads into the teaching and learning programme.

I lobbied for and got approval to buy Ipads to be used in the K-G4 teaching and learning programme. I developed a strategic overview of their use and helped Grade level teams plan and teach with the use of Ipads to help students create to make sense of their learning. We based the integration on the Samr model of technology integration.

Impact:
This integration was successful because the students were really engaged in their learning , excited to create there own online audio visual content to share their learning. After this successful rollout of Ipads more were subsequently purchased the following year. Learning engagements were being planned that engaged and challenged students through the use of technology.

https://twitter.com/Bevster01/status/573793330552664064

Developing a 1:1 programme for students in upper primary school

I developed the 1:1 MacBook programme in Grade 5 of a large international school in China. This consisted of identifying the appropriate device for the location, sourcing suppliers, leading teacher education in the use of 1:1 technology in the classroom and educating both students and parents into the reasoning and desired positive outcomes of a 1:1 programme. Click here to access information about the 1:1 programme that I helped develop and implement at Suzhou Singapore International School.

Impact:

Positive buy in for all key stakeholders, parents, teachers and most importantly the students. The devices were being used to redefine the teaching and learning programme. Subsequently the school purchased many more devices and rolled out a 1:2 programme in the year group below as a way of preparing the students for their inclusion in the 1:1 programme in Grade 5.

Students were taking ownership of their learning by making use of the tools on their device, they were able to connect and collaborate and their ability to create understanding was greatly increased.

Developing the 1:1 programme for Years 3-6 students

In my role of E-Learnig lead teacher at my current school I lead the change initiatives. One of these has been the implementation of a 1:1 Chromebook programme for our students in years 3-6. My key involvements in this programme has been to help teachers plan for the use of 1:1 devices in a way that utilises them so they are not just replacing old technology with new technology. The teachers are being helped to redesign their teaching so students are being exposed to learning opportunities that would not be available without the devices. I have also actively engaged with the community to prepare them for the 1:1 programme and help them make the most of the devices at home as well.

Impact:

The 1:1 programme is well embedded in our school. We are constantly refining and improving our use of the devices. I am often the leader in change but can proudly say that both students and other teachers also develop the use of tools and teaching strategies that are then rolled out across the school.

Students are using their devices anywhere, anytime to access learning. They are owning what they are doing in a positive manner and their ability to create and collaborate is increasing all the time. Parents have commented that they are so impressed with the way students can articulate their learning with the technology being a tool that students can use to share the learning.

Introduction to programming and Robotics at our school

I have introduced a programme through many online platforms into our school. By leading events such as the Hour of Code and sharing the teaching and learning experiences with the whole school I have been able to stimulate the use of programming across the school.

I have lead the introduction of Robotics into our school. By modelling the use of robotics and basing this on sound teaching pedagogy I have been able to demonstrate that they are a key teaching and learning resources for all levels.

Impact

Programming is happening at all levels of the school. Students are being exposed to Robotics across the school and there is a real enthusiasm amongst the students. Problem solving strategies are being actively used and refined, this impacts learning across the curriculum.