Conduct an audit of rich digital learning opportunities in your school
I think this type of mapping is important to measure the quality of your program. Understanding where the best practice is means you can work out where best to invest your money in technology and devices. If budgets are particularly tight you want to get the most out of your resources.
Most educators are familiar with the "digital divide" as the gap in access to new technologies found between more and less affluent students, families, or school communities.
Having taught in both private and public school I fully understand the "digital divide" that is being spoken about here. One of the key actions I found which helped bridge the gap was being more flexible with students using their personal devices where necessary. To do this effectively requires a level trust being built. However, allowing students to bring out their personal devices for specific tasks or quizzes I found was sometimes quicker because of their familiarity with the device being used. I then ensured I had spare devices that could still be used to accomplish the task if the student didn't have a device that would work. This built capacity for technology integration in the classroom exponentially.
What is the difference between schools that are using technology effectively and those that are not?
I agree completely that a lot of success is related to a schools professional development before implementation. However, I think it's also good to seek training and opportunities for staff to learn from technology companies themselves many which now offer bespoke educational training. Google, Microsoft, and Apple all offer different levels of educator training. Having "technology champions" in school who can model best practice is another way to deepen understanding and integration.
FIGURE 1. Triple E Framework Guiding Questions
These are great questions for analyzing the purpose and usefulness of the tasks you may be planning. We are at a tipping point with technology where we all know it is here to stay, however, there is growing research and concern about students overusing technology and social media. Tasks with technology have to be purposeful otherwise the task should arguably continue to be delivered with more traditional methods. It is all about maintaining balance.
Yet they do not have a strong conceptual framework for how technology should be integrated.
Without a framework for integration and accountability for use of the technology these mass purchases of devices are arguably useless. Ensuring teachers are adequately trained, passionate, and committed to integration first is vital to long term success. Often it requires a pedagogical shift for a teacher to move from simply adding technology to a task to planning with technology in mind from the start. Technology can often make teaching tasks easier but it requires a lot of planning at the front end.
"I usually just tell teachers that I want to see them using iPads, but honestly, I am uncertain as to what I should be looking for when it comes to effective use of iPads for student learning."
Often technology is measured by the mere presence of the device. Models such as SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) help to actually measure the depth of technology integration. Is the device just substituting a traditional method e.g pen and paper. Or is the technology helping redefine the task? SAMR has been a great tool at our school for challenging teachers to deepen their understanding of tech integration.
If you believe that a student is experiencing symptoms of anxiety that are excessive, intense, and disruptive we advise that you begin by consulting with your school counselor or principal.
It's really important that staff feel confident to bring these types of topics to administration. It appears early intervention is critical. How does your school manage these types of referrals? At our school, our student services team (Nurse, Counselor, Student Services Director, Special Needs Teacher) meet on a weekly basis to discuss individual cases. They then bring situations to the attention of administration when they feel necessary.
Parents play an essential role in helping their child or teen manage anxiety.
What happens if the parent is the cause of the anxiety? I know in my context often the pressure from parents on students to succeed and secure good university places is extremely influential. In a recent student survey across our school district we found by far the most accurate indicator of students' social and emotional health was the quality of their relationship with parents.
there are eleven different “types” of anxiety disorders,
I didn't realize there were eleven different types of anxiety. It appears from the list of occurring symptoms that some may be easier to spot than others. Physical and emotional responses are quite visual, whereas thoughts and behaviors may be harder to spot?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns for children and adults, affecting upwards of 20% of children and adolescents over the lifespan.
Astonishing to think this problem is so widespread. Does this correlate with your own personal experiences in education? My initial impression was that this is probably about correct. Providing opportunities for students to work through anxiety is vital to their longer term success.