We are in Year 2 of our 1:1 laptop program at Faith Lutheran. Each freshman and sophomore at Faith has been given a Macbook and brings it to each class each day. Through Apple’s professional development, our teachers of freshmen and sophomores are being trained how to use the software on the Macs, how to increase student learning, use collaborative projects, and incorporate higher order thinking skills. I have joined a group of 15 teachers in the current round of Apple training. We are in Day 6 of 8 full days of training. The days are challenging, frame breaking, and full of accountability as we work in groups and share with the entire group how we have incorporated what we have learned into actual lessons for students. We continue learning about blogs, wikis, iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand, Photo Booth, iDVD, iTunes, Keynote, and Pages and how best to use these apps and ideas to engage students and, most importantly, enhance student learning. I marvel at the creative juices in our faculty as they share their ideas. With my graying hair, I’m hoping they can teach this old dog new tricks. In either case, I know they will use this amazing technology as a lever and tool to increase student learning.

Posted: September 22nd, 2010 under Uncategorized.
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