Overall, I was very happy with the results of my first formal attempt to address a technology issue with my diverse staff. The training went pretty much as planned, though the initial direct instruction portion went a little long as there were several questions that slowed things down.
The group collaboration went better than expected and 5 of 6 groups went above and beyond and presented the material in an interesting way, with several extra pieces of evidence including some great videos. All the groups were able to implement the added features of Nearpod (polls, Q&A, quizzes, Videos, Slideshows) and everyone seemed excited about the real time reporting of the assessments. The polls, in particular, were more useful than many of the other polling options because Nearpod requires the student to login to participate with the presentation, so the instructor not only has real time evidence of learning, but can see who, if any, is lagging behind or messing around.
The exit poll, (again, modelling a technology solution) let me know that most of the teachers were happy with what they learned and felt the hour's activities were valuable. I hear a lot that the teachers are tired of going to training to hear more of the what and want to learn more of the how. 80% indicated they would be trying Nearpod in their classrooms following the training. I will be following up with all the teachers to see how they do and providing the support they need.
I am glad that I sent out the email to remind teachers to bring their iPads to the training, but also to have them download the Nearpod app and install it before the training. It appeared that most followed that instruction and were ready to go when the training began. One piece I did not remember was to have them all bring earbuds or headsets so that the video I pushed to them as an example would not have been so distracting.
I will be approaching similar projects all year long. My job is to introduce technology into the lives of my teachers, helping them integrate it with their pedagogy and learning to become comfortable with it so they can engage students in authentic learning. I will have the same faculty of 30 who range from first year teachers to those with nearly four decades of experience. My veteran teachers, for the most part, are the ones most resistant to technology. My approach for the next PD is to try the flipped format. I will give the teachers two weeks before the training to go through the video presentation on their own, at their own pace. I will then facilitate a face to face session that will have more collaboration and problem solving. I think that embracing the active learner model will be most effective with my staff.
I will continue to use Nearpod and will push it as a standard app for my staff starting in the Fall. I believe this is the most effective presentation app I have come across so far this year and the real time assessments really make it a dynamite solution. I have browsed through the Nearpod library and have found 2-3 presentations for each of the subject areas. This way, as I meet with these teachers individually, I can share some pre-designed presentations to give them a starting point.
The last point I would like to make about the Wicked Problem is that I enjoyed doing the Pod casts and as a result will be starting a Podcast broadcast on my website covering Ed Tech tips and solutions. You can find them on my website at www.EdTechQuickTips.org.
The Wicked Problem project was a valuable experience because it provides a framework for approaching the wicked problems in our lives and classrooms. To take a problem that seems unsolvable, define it, create a plan, implement the plan and then reflect on the plan really takes the wicked out of the problem and makes it solvable. There will always be roadblocks and speed bumps, but if you keep driving forward, you can find a solution to any problem that comes along! I think the part that I enjoyed most, and probably have done the least in my past, is to take the time to reflect on the plan and implementation and make course corrections based upon my reflections. I guess at some level I do this instinctively, but have not taken the time to formally write down my reflections and act upon them.
I think that the other important piece is to seek collaboration for your problem. Get some other eyes on your defined problem, have them review your implementation plan and then have them comment on your successes and your reflection. Having a voice beside your own will strengthen and encourage you to keep tackling these problems that are sometimes easier to ignore. Good luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment