Impactful Coaching Moments

Action: We included monthly Apple iPad PD sessions to our Annual School Plan this year for teachers in grades K-2 since we now have 1:1 iPads for K-2 students and classroom teachers. I first conducted a survey to determine the levels of knowledge and experience and get input on sessions that teachers would find beneficial.

Why: To ensure that iPads are being utilized productively to engage students and make learning more dynamic. As an instructional coach, I plan the sessions to introduce various apps and bring in our district curriculum to the activities so that teachers can see the possibilities to utilize iPads as a tool within our curriculum.

Others: Administrators sit in on sessions to participate themselves. K-2 teachers collaborate during and after sessions and brainstorm ideas to extend each session into their own practice. Teachers share ideas they have tried in their classrooms to start sessions.

That's fantastic! Integrating iPad PD sessions into the Annual School Plan is a proactive step, ensuring effective iPad use in classrooms. The collaborative approach with administrators and teachers fosters a rich learning environment, empowering educators to creatively incorporate iPads into the curriculum for dynamic and engaging learning experiences.

Impactful coaching moment

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IDEA. . . Imagine if 9 faculty members took a chance on this new Apple Coach to facilitate a "mini" Apple Learning Academy that would begin in September of 2023 with a survey and culminate in January of 2024 with a completed portfolio. 

ACTION . . . For the last four months, these 9 teachers have met once a month during the block schedule to explore a new "Everyone Can Create" project which they would turnkey to their students.  Teachers explored and then facilitated lessons in their classes for Sketchnoting, Photo Collages, Podcasts, and creating a movie using Clips. Teachers are responsible for completing a portfolio with teacher and student artifacts.  Each session teachers were given their time of “Bragging Moments” to showcase their favorite student work on a BenQ Board. Teachers will be awarded at the end of the cycle, 12 professional learning hours once their portfolio is shared and evaluated.  A new cycle will begin the third week of January with 9 new educators!

REFLECTION. . .  I ❤️ seeing the “Aha” moments, when the teachers shared their student projects.  It filled my ❤️!  There was such pride and joy during their share-out moments. In preparation for the end of the cycle, certificates have been created, and a “Celebration of Learning” will take place at the end of the school year with both cycles coming together! 

What a success story! I love the dedication and growth these educators and their learners are experiencing. Is there somewhere we can find some of the teacher and student artifacts?

My Story - A Quick Write

#wearelcp

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When we went 1:1 iPad this Fall and I vividly remember a teacher expressing how indispensable this technology had become for her teaching style. She couldn't imagine returning to a district that didn't utilize these tools. This sentiment echoed throughout our community, marking a profound shift in our educational approach.

A particularly striking example of this impact was observing a classroom where the teacher used the iPad to showcase a student's work on the board while air playing to the Apple TV. The teacher was able to annotate on the student's work while providing positive feedback to the student in front of their peers. The pride and excitement in the students' eyes, eager to have their work displayed and discussed, was a clear indicator of heightened engagement and enthusiasm for learning.

This technological shift also led to changes in how teachers prepared their lessons, with apps like 'Explain Everything' becoming integral to their planning. Students, too, became more involved, collaborating on their own iPads, which fostered a more interactive and inclusive learning environment.

Reflecting on this journey, the advice I'd offer others is to be prepared for resistance, especially from those accustomed to traditional methods. The key is to persist and guide them through this change, aiming for more authentic and engaging teaching and learning experiences. This memorable moment in my coaching career underlines the transformative effect of technology in education, not just in teaching methods but in shaping a vibrant, engaged learning community.

I’d like to imagine how schools would be if all students were able to learn using iPads K-12. My district currently has students on ipads k-5, which is great. Then the students transition to Chromebooks. This is a difficult transition in middle school. The ipads have all of the necessary tools (for most students) built into the device, so there is no need for additional extensions or apps to complete daily learning tasks. The students can share their learning in so many different ways. I am hoping to support more students and staff (my specific target is special education) to become the most complete learners possible. I see these skills as lifelong learning to support each student's specific learning needs. We have some great staff, but we want to continue to expand their learning so we can be better teachers to our students. I would love for our district to become a model district in our state! Imagine the impact that would make! 

One of the most memorable moments from this year was the coding workshop that helped my fellow teachers with incorporating coding and much more in their classrooms. #ImpactforAll

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I never anticipated that the successful completion of the Apple Learning Coach Program would empower me to share my newfound Apple skills across diverse communities. Having wrapped up the program this summer, I found myself constantly discussing and sharing the Everyone Can Create Guides and specifically highlighting the transformative impact of mastering GarageBand on my coaching and teaching.

As a result of these enthusiastic conversations, I not only integrated Podcasts into my courses but also delivered guest lectures at other universities. These sessions aimed to assist their students in delving into the creative possibilities of GarageBand. I am so excited for the next adventure in coaching. 

Something I’ll never forget is watching students’ enthusiasm as they collaborate in teams to create something new to share their learning. Hearing one girl ask her teacher, “Can I make two videos: One in English for you and one in Spanish for my family?” taught me the power of connecting creativity with learning. You just don’t get that same level of connection to a worksheet.

Kelly from King

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Posts from Apple Learning Site, My Story

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About Me 230727 R.key

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One of my favorite moments as a coach this year is when one of our first year teachers stopped me in the hall the other day and said "You know that thing you showed me? It WORKED and my kids LOVE it!"

Not only were the tool (Freeform) and ideas I shared with her impactful for her and her students (as she has taken it and run with it in her history classroom!), but her just stopping to say that to me was so impactful for me as a coach. It was such a simple thing to say, but it made me smile so much that day and remember why I LOVE being a Digital Learning Specialist!

#wearelcp