Letclips

During the 2015�16 school year, Barrington 220 administered surveys and focus groups to students regarding the One to World initiative. This year, we are administering surveys and focus groups to teachers and administrators. The survey was created by a District Technology Committee subcommittee. Survey responses are anonymous. The survey collects approximately 30 data points and takes about 12 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, teachers interested in participating in a focus group may follow a link to a separate survey. To take the survey, please check your barrington220.org email for the survey link. The survey email was sent on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at 4:00 PM. This survey will be open November 9�22, 2016. Barrington 220�s One to World initiative is a teaching and learning program that integrates 24/7 availability of technology devices, provides ubiquitous access to the Internet, and delivers a set of devices, apps, and services for learning. The One to World initi

Dr. Tom Clark (@byotnetwork) recently published and tweeted a post explaining the difference between digital learning and digitized learning . How students interact with technology helps determine the role they play in a lesson, but it's the teachers  who afford students the opportunity to use technology in meaningful ways. Image from @byotnetwork In the graphic above, Dr. Clark lists five different examples of lessons from both a digitized and a digital perspective. Digitized learning uses technology, but, to call upon the theories of Dr. Ruben Puentedura who created the SAMR Model, the use of technology does not transform the learning experience for students, nor does it give students control over how to interact with content or demonstrate learning. Digitized learning uses technology to complete Substitution- and Augmentation-level lessons in which each student simply regurgitates content through assignments chosen by the teacher. Students do not control the learning experien

On Friday, November 4, 2016, teachers from Lines and Hough met at Lines Elementary School and participated in a half-day professional development event following the �Playdate� style. According to the Playdate website , a Playdate "is a space for [teachers] to come together and collaboratively explore these tools we�ve always wanted to learn more about." Teachers may "join together...sit in a room for a few hours and just play." The Hough-Lines Playdate was organized by themed rooms during specified time periods. Teachers interested in a theme met together and discussed, practiced, or otherwise interacted with the topic. For example, during the first Playdate period, topics included: Connect & Manage Resources with Schoology Create Digital Portfolios with See Saw Share your learning with Explain Everything Digital Storytelling with iMovie Write, Draw, and Record with Notability Reimagine with Flipped & Blended Learning A Google Doc arranged in a matrix allo

In October 2016 I participated in an Illinois Curriculum Leaders Briefing hosted by Apple. The Briefing focused on defining the best practices and ideals in instructional technology. Several district administrators from districts across Illinois participated, and over the course of the three-day event, we learned much from Apple and from each other. Here are a few of the main ideas I wish to share: Apple began the briefing by referencing Simon Sinek's TED Talk about finding the "why" before you move forward with initiatives. The discussion made me proud of be a part of Barrington 220 as our "why" is clearly outlined in our Strategic Plan; and, as a member of the Department of Technology and Innovation, our "why" is defined through the One to World Vision and Mission statements. Understanding the "why" drives how we provide professional learning, what we choose focus upon in our professional learning offerings, which devices we implement in ou

Barrington School District 220 is pleased to announce that our One to World program has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program for 2015�2017. This recognition is due to the district�s innovative approach to integrate Apple technology for students and staff from preschool through grade 12. The Apple Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments. �Our goal as a district is to prepare students to be successful in their future endeavors, and that would not be possible without the One to World program and the opportunities it provides our students,� said Dr. Brian Harris, Superintendent of Schools. The selection of Barrington 220�s One to World program as an Apple Distinguished Program highlights our success as an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic acco