Talking versus Doing

Do you recall the end of my last post?

The iPad is a tool.  It is not a panacea.

I completely understand how excitement can play a part in leading a project like this.  And that is great - after all, that helps with the change process.  However, the motivation must be about improving learning, not establishing a rich IT-based inventory.

We are about to begin the process of introducing iPads, but it starts with People.  And talking.  Lots of talking.

It turns out that not everyone wants to 'talk' first, 'do' later.  The order for the iPads is in;  the discussions and planning are not.

However, and despite this fait a complet, the right work still needs to be done.  So I passed on some nuggets to relevant staff.  These nuggets include surveys and research completed by the Tanglin Trust, an outstanding school and reported by the Guardian Newspaper (UK) in 2006 as being one of the best international schools in the world.  Anyway, I made their findings available to the school.  And, through Switch, a local Apple Premium Reseller, I have also arranged for a visit to a school that has a more developed and more mature programme.  I hope this visit will trigger a series of talking points within the school ... ahead of the delivery of these iPads.

I really don't want technology to land onsite for us to 'install a handful of apps' and 'see how it goes'.

But who knows.  Let's hope my next instalment will reveal a raft of planning, reviewing, disucsisons...

iPads and the Failure of Technology

Right then ... where was I?
Oh, that's right.  I was over 6 months behind schedule!

A Quick Catch-Up

I am now working at the Antwerp International School as the Director of IT.  Part of my portfolio is to develop a better integration of IT into and across the curriculum.  Already, I have unashamedly piggy-backed onto some great ideas by Kim Cofino.  Her blog has really inspired me to 'do a better job'.

iPads

So, back to iPads.
I am skipping over some aspects of the school and getting straight to our new project: iPads in the Classroom.

I am new to the school but not new to the concept of:

• "I have a good idea.  Let's do [fill in the gap here]!"
• [Person waits, tapping foot]
• "I'm waiting" they say

You get the idea.

So, I have inherited a budget that allows for, in the first place, the purchase of a healthy class-sized set of iPads for the Elementary School.

People

People will define the success of this project, not technology.  In this case, teachers will play a pivotal role is determining how learning can be enhanced through the thoughtful integration of iPads into identified elements of the curriculum.  The iPad is a tool.  It is not a panacea.

I completely understand how excitement can play a part in leading a project like this.  And that is great - after all, that helps with the change process.  However, the motivation must be about improving learning, not establishing a rich IT-based inventory.

We are about to begin the process of introducing iPads, but it starts with People.  And talking.  Lots of talking.

Another instalment soon...