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ITUNES U FOR OUR

SCHOOL
Emerging Technologies Project/ITEC 7445
By: Lisa Flicker
ITUNES U: A MEANS FOR BRINGING
CONTINUITY TO OUR SCHOOL
COMMUNITY
The purpose for this presentation is to explain the benefits of utilizing iTunes U
as our schools platform for delivering on-line classroom services to all of our
students.
As a school community, we felt it would be beneficial for our students to
have more continuity among their classrooms, therefore, choosing one single
platform to use for our virtual classrooms. There would be less confusion for
students and parents with multiple platforms, and ease in the transition for
students when moving from one class to another during the day.
Furthermore, we already have iPads rolled out to students, this makes sense,
since we would be using an Apple product with an Apple product, instead
of some teachers using a Microsoft product with an Apple product in their
classrooms. Not as efficient.
DIFFUSION OF ITUNES U
INITIATING
We already have iPads distributed to all of our students and teachers within
our school. Therefore, uploading and using iTunes U will be quite simple.
Mr. Hicks, our Technology Specialist, has added the app to the catalog for
the students to upload already, and the teachers have access through the
App Store.
All teachers need to do is create a special Fulton County Apple ID iTunes U
account. As for students, they would just need to be given their log
in/password for creating their own Fulton County Apple Id Account.
Once created, both students and teachers may download iTunes U on to
their iPads. Teachers can create their courses, and students are able to
easily enroll in the courses through a simple 9 lettered code given out by
their teacher.
DIFFUSION OF ITUNES U
SUSTAINING
Sustaining of this emerging technology within our school will be simple as it is an app
within our iPads.
As with any new application that is being used, there is a learning curve through
which new tricks of the trade need to be learned and figured out. Glitches with
systems have to be maneuvered through, and how it may work with individual
classes needs to be implemented.
However, once those baby steps have been taken, the sustaining part can be taken
care of by having a contact person in the building who would be our iTunes U Guru,
the person who teachers, admin and staff could go to for questions or concerns
regarding their account or classroom course. Also, once a month, during grade
level meetings, a question/answer session should be held regarding iTunes U and its
implementation. Including what is working well, and suggestions for what can be
used to make it better or plans to make it even better.
ITUNES U AND FUNDING
iTunes U is a free App that is offered in the iTunes U catalog. Therefore, there
would be no cost for our school to implement this new technology.
For teachers, it would be a free on-line classroom alternative for them to
store resources for their students, for teachers to create assignments and for
their students to upload their assignments, it would also be a place for
students and teachers to review grades submitted, as it has its own
gradebook feature.
One stop shopping, and all for free!
ITUNES U: MEETS CONTENT AND
TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS
iTunes U is perfect for every content, including connections. Administration
can utilize this tool for professional development throughout the year.
Furthermore, this tool enables its users to access it at their own time and
helps to promote more personalized learning opportunities by gearing lesson
formats in to more choice and voice options.
In regard to technology standards, this covers the gamut. Several of which
will be discussed in more detail in the following slide.
ITUNES U AND TECHNOLOGY
STANDARDS
Visionary Leadership: iTunes U offers implementation of a shared vision within the
school as well as enhances the development of incorporating enriching technology
in to the everyday curriculum.
Teaching, Learning, and Assessment: This emerging technology can be used for
professional development opportunities that teachers can access at any time,
encourages teachers to utilize various assessment techniques and allows students to
access their results in a timely manner through the gradebook feature
Digital-Age Learning Environment: itunes U allows for a standard operating system
within the classroom setting as well as throughout the school. Making transitions for
students from one class to another much easier, and making it simpler for students to
understand how the process of turning in assignments in a digital classroom will work.
Also gives them more flexibility as well as teaches students how to use modern-day
technology with what they are completing in class today.
ITUNES U AND TECHNOLOGY
STANDARDS, PART II
Professional Development: iTunes U enables teachers a 24/7 access to professional
development opportunities that are created within the school setting and geared
specifically to their needs. They can turn in any documentation that they need to
their course and it is very simple for them to enroll in the course as well.
Digital Citizenship: This technology allows for equal access to technology and
resources for all students and 24/7. It also allows teachers to incorporate lessons on
digital citizenship within their courses that students have access to at any time.
Furthermore, students have access to other courses within iTunes U that they may
access that are of interest to them or that could enable them to achieve at a higher
level in the courses they are already taking.
Content Knowledge and Professional Growth: Through this technology, teachers are
allowed to expand upon what they know and constantly try out new techniques
within their course. They can add new content to their course at any time. The
options are endless. It allows teachers to learn a new technique that has the
possibility to enable students to have 24 hour access to the materials in their class.
RESEARCH BASED LEARNER-CENTERED
STRATEGIES AND ITUNES U
iTunes U is an excellent tool for your flipped classroom setting. It can be used
by students at home to research materials that they can look up ahead or
time, or readings that they can access ahead of time so that they will be
prepared for the group or class work the next morning that they will need to
complete. (School is Easy, 2017)
It enables students 24/7 access to materials in your course that they would
not otherwise have the ability to access, and the same goes for students
who may be too ill to attend school or who have other reasons for not being
able to attend.
AUTHENTIC LEARNING
AND ITUNES U
iTunes U is an excellent tool to initiate as well as represent authentic learning
in the classroom setting, as well as in the school as a whole.
iTunes U is a virtual classroom. It allows students to access resources provided
by the teacher in a safe setting. It allows for collaboration and meaningful
research of real-life problems that are cross-curricular and with endless
options. Just depends upon the creativity of the teacher and student.
Itunes U allows for both teachers and students to collaborate and
communicate in the same spaces through two-way communication and
editing features. This is all in real time, and can be accessed at any time.
HIGHER ORDER THINKING SKILLS
AND I TUNES U
iTunes U is an excellent platform to allow for students to access activities and
thought processes within the higher order thinking skills areas.
Because this platform allows for greater flexibility with voice and choice in
assignment structure, it allows students to go into more depth using the
resources available, to work collaboratively, and to create their own
products with the materials and resources that they have available to them
at all times.
They are able to get feedback on their products from their instructors at any
time, so this enables them to rethink or re-plan or re-do a project to make it
better, and according to feedback.
HOW CAN ITUNES U ENABLE
DIFFERENTIATION
The options for differentiation and iTunes-U are infinite here. The teacher can
choose to give a choice board with various options based along points or
levels for his/her students.
Or the teacher can give a link to a blend space or web quest that they had
created for a particular unit. The students can then upload the products
created from these in to the iTunes U course for grading and feedback.
Students can be asked to create products using various different
technologies that can then be directly uploaded in to this technology.
Making it simpler for both the student and teacher.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN: HOW DOES
ITUNES U RELATES TO OUR STUDENTS
AGE GROUP
iTunes-U is quite simple to use and maneuver through. It is a technology that
can easily be uploaded onto iPads.
Students in grades 6-8 are very used to uploading documents and clicking
on links to accessing files or go to various websites, therefore, maneuvering
through iTunes U is going to be quite simple for them.
The discussion feature is basic and will be something that they can use to
help one another in clarifying questions or working collaboratively.
It is a technology they are comfortable with, works on their level as easily
implemented on the iPad, and that is something that they always have with
them.
ITUNES U AND COLLABORATIVE
LEARNING
In regard to iTunes U, this can be an excellent resource to use for Jigsaws.
Teachers can put in links to resources and any other valuable resources for
students to utilize for this in a safe place that can easily be accessed. Also
saves time for students who may struggle with finding resources on their own.
If students are working collaboratively on a Blend space or Choice Board,
the boards can be linked on here with all the necessary resources, and
worksheets as well.
All products can be uploaded and graded.
Students can just upload by taking a picture or just insert right from the other
application directly in to iTunes U. Making for using this technology and
sharing products easy and quick.
ITUNES U: SOFTWARE AND
EQUIPMENT
All you need with this new technology is the iPad for each student who will
be utilizing this technology. They will use the iPad to upload iTunes U, and the
courses they wish to add.
Furthermore, you may wish to buy dongles for each classroom so that
students and teachers can share products created on the iPad and stored
on iTunes U on to an ActivBoard or any other type Projector/Screen.
Headphones are also useful for students who wish to watch videos that have
been uploaded to iTunes U courses or to watch iMovies they are creating.
WHERE CAN WE GO FOR
TECHNICAL SUPPORT?
In regard to technical support, I suggest having a go-to teacher in the
school who can help problem solve any classroom issues. A teacher who has
previously pre-tested this technology and is familiar with how it works.
The technology specialist in the school is also available for technical support.
Furthermore, Apple provides quick assistance as well. There are several ways
to contact them, email is one of the best and they respond back typically
within 24 hours. Most issues can be found in their frequently asked questions,
though.
ITUNES U LIMITATIONS
There is one major limitation to iTunes U. It does not allow students to mutually
edit a document at the same time as they can in Microsoft.
Students can share documents or products through email and have one
another edit and then resend, or take pictures and resend, but they can not
both be on a document or product in an iTunes U course and both be
working on it at the same time.
That is something I am hoping that Apple may consider working on.
ITUNES U COST IN REGARD TO
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT/TECHNICAL SUPPORT
There are no costs to use iTunes U in regard to professional development or
technical support. That is the most wonderful part.
Teachers, tech support, administration in a school can all create their own
professional development courses and have their students enroll for free.
No set-up charge, ever!
The same goes for technical support. Apple provides so much free tech
support, that this is all you will really need. Any other support would be in
regard to the iPad and that would be offered through your technology
specialist or through the county.
ITUNES U RESEARCH
Research has shown that an iTunes U platform allows for more of an open
classroom setting for students. It allows them to access more information and
in a shorter amount of time. Furthermore, students are able to access their
course through multiple devices, such as their iPad, iPhone, and their laptop,
which makes it much more user friendly and compatible. (Yerrick, 2013)
iTunes U allows students access to millions of on-line courses, many for free,
as well as additional podcasts, and other resources that they have access to
for free or at a limited cost. Furthermore, this resource base is constantly
growing and updating.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND
ITUNES U
iTunes U allows for students, parents, and teachers to immediately
communicate with one another and in real time.
The moment students upload an assignment, teachers are notified on their
iPad. Also, the moment that teachers grade an assignment, that student
receives a notification on their specific iPad and can go directly to that
assignment and see their grade as well as any additional comments. They
can also comment back, if needed or wanting to.
iTunes U is a wonderful resource to use for parent/teacher conferences
because the whole body of work of the student can easily be accessed and
is stored in one place. A whole portfolio of all that the student has
accomplished and the grades and feedback that the student has received.
POSSIBLE SAFE, HEALTH, LEGAL,
AND ETHICAL ISSUES AND ITUNES U
There are no possible safety or health concerns that are evident from utilizing
this technology.
Students can safely upload assignments and communicate directly with their
teacher. There are no other people who are accessing their information
other than themselves and their teacher. The student does not have access
to any other students work unless that student directly sends them their work.
They do not have access to any other grades other than their own.
The only other students they may communicate with are the students in their
class and that is in the discussion forum. Teachers much regulate that on a
regular basis but are given notifications when a comment is made within
that forum.
FOSTERING DIVERSITY
This medium is an excellent technology resource to use for meeting the
needs of all of the students in your class.
Differentiation is so simple by providing links to various level assignments for
your students. You can level by letters or colors or sending specific
assignments to individual students or groups.
Choice boards can be groups or even a blend space project. There are so
many different options that can be utilized either individually or as group
assignments.
Furthermore, the resources that are uploaded can be grouped by levels, by
various modalities, or by whatever means you wish to reach all of the
different learners in your classroom.
PROFESSIONAL AND CONTINUING
EDUCATION
The professional learning that would need to be implemented for this
technology would include a couple of sessions, the first at the beginning of
the year, and then on-going throughout the year and during grade level
meetings. The first could be during pre-planning in which teachers were
explained why this was being implemented, and how to get started. A walk
through of setting up their course as well as the trick of the trade on what to
do and what perhaps not to do when setting up their course and running
their course for their students.
Then, periodically, or perhaps once a month, teachers could have an in-
service professional development on specific aspects of utilizing iTunes U
based on their own specific needs. It could be a you pick two, in which 4
options of 15 minute mini-sessions are offered by more skilled iTunes user
teachers in the school, and teachers can choose which sessions to attend
during their grade level meeting that month or week.
REFLECTION ON ITUNES U
iTunes U has the ability to bring about continuity and cohesiveness to our
school. It also gives teachers a platform to store their resources for their
students, to deliver content in a safe environment, and for students to access
that material at any time and to turn in their products at any time, day or
night. They will also be able to gain feedback and access that feedback,
which is invaluable.
I very much think that this platform allows teachers to be able to run their
classroom however they wish, to utilize various different teaching methods,
but also to provide a storehouse for that information in just one format for the
students. This is so they do not have to relearn for each class and can just go
to one bookshelf to access all of their courses and gradebook features
and all in one place. How convenient and beneficial for all!
REFERENCES
School is Easy: https://www.schooliseasy.com/2016/06/benefits-of-teaching-
students-using-itunes-u/
Yerrick, Randy
http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=13
79&context=ij-sotl

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