Eating a little crow

My friend Ron over at GFW rightfully took me to task about some comments in my post about iPads earlier this week. I was operating only information that was contained in the short newspaper article about GFW's project and I came across more critical than I had really intended. I sent an apology to Ron and in the spirit of a more public apology I am sharing (with his permission), more information about the GFW iPad project.

Doug,

Thank you for the apology.  I must say that I read your blog for many years and I can't remember you cutting down another school district as you did to GFW.

   Ready. Fire. Aim.

    In one sense, the reaction to the iPad is very clear indicator of one's educational philosophy. It's ironic, but my prediction is that the more traditional one's approach to education, the more one will like  "iEducation."

    Pee-wee Gets An iPad! from Pee-wee Herman

A few words about our project.  We began with a technology consultant working with our staff.  We focused on technology for our staff.  Our school board held stakeholder sessions with our community, staff and students.  Teachers were consulted for their input.  From this, the District saw the need to enhance the technology program at GFW.

From there, we looked at some of the existing technologies:  new computer labs, computer carts, laptop computers, netbooks, iPods, iPads.  We decided we wanted to see the technology in the hands of students. Since we could not afford a laptop for each student, the decision came down to netbooks, iPods or the new iPad.

We don't have the support staff of a large district such as Mankato.  We currently are a Mac district.  We looked at the netbook and decided it would be difficult to support and integrate with the Mac.  The screen was very small and the devices seemed cheaply made.  It would essentially be use for word processing and Internet.

This left us with the iPod.  I was concerned that the iPod would have limited use, the screen size was small and it was difficult to enter text.  The rumors of the iPad were out for a long time.  The iPad was announced many weeks before its release, so we know many of the features and even several of the applications that would be available.  We also worked closely with Apple.   We developed a staff development program with Apple.  Teachers in this project will receive 5 days of staff development from Apple.

The iPads can be used wikis, blogs, keynote presentations.  We can do much with on-line research.  (Libraries in small schools have virtually disappeared.)  We have found many cool applications to enhance the curriculum in our classes.  (Try the programs Star Walk or The Elements.  Cool music programs that allow students to record music, electronic books, drawing applications, Numbers offers much flexibility for spreadsheets.)

We know many developers are developing educational applications and we know that the major textbook publishers are working on electronic textbooks.  This, combined with the Internet content and many applications can only help the students.  Add iCal where students can subscribe to their teachers calendars for their assignments.

Rolling this program out in a small school is probably simpler than rolling out in a large district such as yours. We have less than 20 teachers in our High School.  They (along with the Principal) have a commitment to making this work.

The days ahead for small schools will be difficult.  A lot of small districts will disappear.  We were lucky to receive a one time shot of funding for our consolidation with McLeod West.  We put the money into a wireless infrastructure for out 3 sites and for the iPads.  We haven't had the resources to enhance out technology program for many years.  I don't believe there is a "perfect" solution for technology in any district.  For some it may be SMART Boards, for others laptops, others netbooks.  For GFW, it will be iPads.  It's not the device.  It's how the teachers will use their device to improve instruction.  I hope it can work in our district.

All ready, this has brought much support from community members.  I visited with one student who made a comment, "I can't wait for school to start next year."  With teacher support, administrative support, school board support, and student support I think this project can work.  Bugs to work out---yes!!  There will be many.  With everyone working together, we can solve the problems and hopefully, this project will be a success.

Ron

I might add that among several very positive visions of how the iPad can be used in education, this guest post on Chris Dawson's blog seemed well thought out.

Comments

[Tracy]

It is never any fun to eat a little crow but it says a lot about your character when you are willing to do so.

[Commerical materials deleted.]

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Blog Girl,

In keeping with the non commercial nature of my blog, I am editing your post to delete the reference to your website.

Just letting you know.

All the best,

[John Pederson]

I initially reacted much the same way Doug did in reading the newspaper's accounts of this iPad + education story.

Back in 1997 after having just brought the Internet to Moose Lake, MN, the local news station asked to do a story about students having access to the Internet. They did about 20 minutes of interviewing me.

A few weeks later came the story. It was 5 seconds of me saying, "Students can go anywhere on the Internet!" mashed together with others talking about sex offenders stalking children.

Bottom line, I don't think the newspaper did GFW any help by writing the typical technology + education story. It's an ok story. I like Ron's above much better. :o) But that's the power of blogging over traditional media.

[Ron]

Yes each paper and TV station puts on their own spin. One TV report made it sound like we were mainly trying to save money on textbooks.