In January of 2015, CCSD embarked on its first Digital Learning Cohort in an effort to guide teachers along their journey of the 1:1 classroom. The cohort included 167 teachers from 46 schools broken into 12 cohorts. On May 21, 2015, after only 5 months of exploring the 1:1 classroom, digital learning cohort teachers came together en masse to foster learning and growth among themselves. Celebrating successes and gleaning tips and tricks from one another, the group enjoyed a well-earned day of fellowship and fun focused on improving and mastering the use of 1:1 devices in the classroom. The day included a morning of “unconferencing” followed by lunch and teacher showcases where 10 teachers presented, sharing their experiences and escapades from the previous 5 months.
The Un-conference
The word “un-conference” was new to most of us, but it is a word few of us will forget. Rooms were labeled by topic and session, and teachers chose the rooms that interested them most. Rooms were organized to facilitate small group, round-table discussions. At first teachers were hesitant, not having any direction besides “Feel free to discuss the topic,” but once they started, the communication and collaboration filled the room with a chaotic but constructive clamor.
Topics included exploring and sharing apps; SAMR and its role in lesson planning; 21st century skills and the 4Cs: creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking; classroom management and SOPs; digital workflow solutions; student ownership of learning; and rubrics to guide learning and assessment. Teachers shared, asked and answered questions, brainstormed, problem-solved, scribbled notes, shared links, and swapped names for future contact. Enlivened by the camaraderie and opportunity to give to and receive from colleagues, teachers left excited for the coming school year.
Apps that received multiple shout outs include Google Classroom, Edmodo, Moby Max, Book Creator, A Web Whiteboard App, Kahoot!, Socrative, Nearpod, Storyboard That, Chatterpix, and Google Docs. Conspicuously absent were the drill-and-kill apps that many teachers initially seek out in a condition that has come to be known in some circles as “App Happy.” While skill apps definitely have their place at the foundational level, creation apps won over most teachers as they stretched students to the upper levels of critical thinking: application, evaluation, creation.
Teacher Showcase
After lunch the Campfire wrapped up with teacher presentations spanning elementary, middle and high school levels, iPads and chromebooks. Shout outs to the 8 presenters: Julie Bullard, Ft. Johnson; Megan Orchard, Ft. Johnson Middle; Tammi Wilson, Military Magnet Academy; Shalea Griggs, James Island Middle; EC Setser, Laurel Hill Primary; Tammy Curtis, Ladson Elementary; Virginia Broadway, West Ashley High School; Ashley Barnes, Oakland Elementary; Jason Brisini, Wando High School; Christina Allegretto, Wando High School.
Sharing their flaws and foibles first, teachers laughed over their missteps and misconceptions such as thinking there would be an app for the parts of the content the teacher and students didn’t find “particularly sexy.” The wisdom that emerged is that “no app can teach better than the teacher”, and creation apps such as Pages, Keynote, Google Docs, Google Slides, Storyboard That and Nearpod are the apps to focus on because they enable the students to use their knowledge to create.
The teachers quickly moved on to the triumphs and accomplishments of their students. 4Cs -- creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking -- were front and center in most presentations. Student work samples amazed the audience, and the energy and optimism were infectious. A low-achieving second grader found a way to share her learning and move closer to working on grade level. Hesitant writers were writing with enthusiasm. High schoolers were awake, attentive, and communicative - no small feat in the classroom! This sharing of accomplishments sowed seeds of hope in the hearts of all the teachers struggling to bring students up to and beyond grade level.
Next Steps
Surveying customers is invaluable for planning, growth, and success. After surveying the DLC participants, the following factors emerged as most helpful:
- 98% - monthly cohort meetings to debrief and plan for next steps
- 96% - cohort meeting topics to focus on in the classroom
- 95% - connecting with other teachers through the monthly meetings
- 100% - digital resources shared during meetings and through technology coaches
- 99% - dedicated Technology Instructional Coach for job-embedded professional development
Connecting with other teachers and having support are invaluable for educators. As we move on to Phase 2 of the DLC, we look forward to supporting our DLC teachers as they become Digital Leader Teachers.
Thank you to all who participated and continue to give us their trust along this journey to success for all students. Have a safe and restful summer. We’ll see you in August!
