ipad proposal keenan

Technology Innovation Fund iPad Proposal

Prepared for: Technology Department Rocky View Schools

Prepared by: Derek Keenan, Teacher

September 30, 2010

ObjectiveTo further enhance classroom practice and schoolwide implementation of

21st Century Learning through technological innovation in my own

classroom, contributing to school wide technology innovation and

comprehensive technology implementation in my classroom. In addition,

this project will initiate an intensive study of student learning and

technology use with tablet technology.

Goals1. To enhance the implementation of mobile learning begun with the last technology innovation fund grant in

the school by updating the program with devices that offer alternative input and applications for learning.

2. To offer the previous iPod touch innovation devices to the broader school and create multiple disciplines

in which mobile technology can be tested and implemented.

ProposalThese goals provide an excellent opportunity to provide Bert Church High School with an increase in overall

innovative technology available to all teachers, and a cutting edge trial in mobile technology that will inform

future mobile device implementation in schools across Rocky View.

Pilot I: Classroom Based iPad Pilot

Funding from the technology innovation fund would be used to purchase 37 iPad devices and accessories

for classroom use and implementation as educational tools. These iPads will be used for ALL classroom

activities, producing a fully digital classroom environment. Students will connect with Moodle for content

creation and submission, and will have access to numerous apps designed to heighten the learning and

achievement in the classroom. Particular focus will be on differentiation of instruction and learning and

providing students with an active, digital environment in which to connect with their work. With my

experience in running the iPod pilot, and my use of an iPad for the past four months, I am well equipped and

Derek Keenan (403) 948-3800 [email protected]

knowledgeable in the area of mobile technology and digital learning to initiate and sustain this pilot to create

effective methods and suggestions for future implementation of iPads in a broader context.

Pilot 2: Ubiquitous Access Pilot

In addition to the class set of iPads, I further propose a pilot of 5 iPad devices to be given to students to use

exclusively for one month cycles. The intent of this program is to gather feedback from students on the

impact of the iPad device on their learning with constant access as opposed to simply in the classroom. By

gathering video and digital product feedback, we may begin to create a picture of the way students may

want to use these devices, and structure some of our technology strategies based on the feedback.

With a successful pilot application, the previous iPod Touch project will be moved into the larger school

community for use by other teachers and classes. This is a natural progression as interest in the iPods has

been growing steadily and I am currently unable to loan the iPods out to teachers as often as they would like

to use them. Science, math, physical education and arts classes have all expressed interest in using the

iPods, and it would be wonderful to see them put to good use as a resource available to the entire school.

Our recent school wide innovation project of transforming the library into a digital learning hub may also be

able to be supported by the addition of the iPod availability.

The iPad as a Media DeviceThe iPad is at the forefront of mobile technology, and is a device that many students are familiar with based

on the iPod and iPhone operating system. Using a touch screen for data input, the iPad plays movies, has

wireless Internet connectivity, an internal microphone and speaker, plays movies and audio, and can last for

up to 10 hours of heavy use on a single charge. With the iOS operating system the iPad stores powerpoint,

word and other documents, has the ability to interact with Moodle, Plone, Google Docs and other online

resources, and can be used to create content and record audio. These features will allow students to

interact directly with my web-based course content and use the iPads to store and manipulate data in new

ways. Using the Moodle interface, classroom quizzes, responses and research can all be conducted directly

on the device without the need for a computer lab. The iPad also offers a new framework for digital tools

with direct screen interaction, and the removal of visual barriers (as in a computer screen) from the

classroom. As with the iPod touch, this device is one that students want to use and learn about. Students

are clamouring to access the iPad, and have already noted that they would love to see it used educationally.

The iPod Touch as Technological InnovationIn addition to the use of the iPad as a media and content creation device, the App Store included with it

creates a nearly unlimited potential for future uses. New educational applications are being added daily to

the app store, including many free ones. Some apps that I would use in my classroom include an essay

structure and process app designed to support students in some of the most difficult writing they encounter

in high school, Shakespeare; which houses all of Shakespeare’s works and will be used instead of a

textbook for Shakespeare in class, Poem Flow a poetry study and reading app, iBooks and Kindle ereader


apps, for which we can purchase inexpensive class sets of reading material, Pages and Keynote as full

featured document and presentation tools (incidentally, Pages is the app used to create this proposal),

Dragon dictation app, Audionote lecture recording and note-taking app, and much much more. Use of many

of these applications which are low-cost or free allows for less reliance on traditional textbooks and their

replacement costs. As a classroom teacher, I had never had a complete set of dictionaries and thesaurus in

my classroom for student use until the iPod pilot, even this small application made a huge difference for

students.

Implications and Expected Outcomes of this ProposalI believe that students in the 21st century must be working with and using the technologies that they are

interested in and use most effectively. The interface of the iPad meets this need as many students use and

own devices that operate in the same way as the iPad. Students are comfortable entering text on iPods,

and the added screen size will allow for full length content creation on the iPad. This project will see students

working in their way with their technology, and from what I have seen in my own classroom with the iPod

pilot, this will lead to further engagement and achievement by students. My own experience with the iPad

has guided me to this proposal as I have integrated this device into my teaching practice and have seen first-

hand the difference it has made to my professional work. I relish the opportunity to provide the same

difference for my students.

In creating a research base to this project, my aim is to attain feedback that can be compiled and shared

among educators to support mobile technology decision making. This research would serve to benefit not

only Rocky View Schools, but also the education field as a whole. The implications of using mobile devices

in education is an area of essential research that must be reported on as mobile devices become more

powerful and attractive for purchase by schools than desktop equivalents. Based on connections I have

made in working on my iPod Touch initiative, and requests I get for information about it, I believe Rockyview

is positioning itself as a leader in innovation, and I would be excited to present my initial findings for this pilot

during my presentations at the Mobile Learning Experience in Phoenix, Arizona in April of 2011.


Costs of the ProposalThis proposal will require a combination of hardware and software solutions to set up and maintain. In

addition to the 42 iPads, we will require a Macbook with a specifically designed cart for charging and

transferring data to the devices. We will also require a case for each of the iPads for protection and elevation

for typing. In addition to the hardware for these devices, a MobileMe account allows for tracking of the

iPads, information dissemination and application purchase and installation for the devices.

An estimated cost breakdown:

MacBook computer for sync and maintenance of devices: $1,250

42 iPad devices (16gb WiFi model): $23,100

42 Apple iPad cases: $1,890

Software purchase budget for Apps and MobileMe: $1,000

powered USB hubs to connect to iMac & charge: $175

(Memory express item# MX6872)

Bretford mobile charging and sync cart (approximate): $2,000

Total cost of proposal: $29,415 (approximate)

In ClosingThank You for the opportunity to submit this project for consideration. I am excited by the possibility of

enhancing my innovative approach to learning for my students and furthering our school's use of mobile

devices to support our 21st century learning environment. I would appreciate any feedback that you may

have, and if you have any questions or require clarification, please call or email me directly.

Derek Keenan

21st Century Learning Lead, Bert Church High School


ipad proposal keenan

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