BYOD with a Bullitt (As in Kentucky that is)

Bullitt Kentucky Schools- another school system jumps on the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) train.  Recognizing the need for students to have cutting edge technology while trying to work within increasingly tight budgets for schools, Superintendent Keith Davis is encouraging parents to send their kids to school with their own computing devices.  You can check out the story in the Courier Journal below:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120111/ZONE10/301110011/bullitt-schools-device-computer?odyssey=mod|newswell|text||s

BYOD in Texas - Yee-Ha!

BYOD (Bring your own device) or BYOT (Bring your own technology) is catching on across the country.  Maybe it should be BYOMAD (Bring your own more advanced device).  Chances are, the devices kids are being allowed to use in school are superior to the technologies that currently exist in their classrooms.  Is this BYOT movement a result of the current economic conditions impacting school budgets or the result of forward thinking district administrators?  Who cares?  It makes sense and I'm hoping more school systems in the coming school year see the benefits.  Here is a link about a school system in Texas that is saving $150,000 by allowing kids to bring their own technology into their schools. 

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/01/08/3643863/weatherford-school-districts-bring.html

IPads and Differentiation

Welcome to post 100 of I Teach Therefore IPod.  When I started this blog in April during a Tammy Worcester PD Session at the MSET Conference (a big shout out to the best Tech Staff Developer out there!), I never thought nine months and 10,000 page views from 76 countries later I would still be at it.  I've been inspired by the reach of the blog across the globe.  It's been a great example for my students about how one person's thinking can plant a seed that grows around the globe.  The app rubric that brought many of you to this site is being used in over 190 school systems, universities and agencies allover the world.  It's kind of freaky when you think about it.  Anyway, I'll continue blogging as long as you continue reading.  Thanks for following....

Now, today's post - A number of schools in the Olympia area of Washington State have adopted the use of IPads in some of their classrooms.  Are you frustrated with your district or school's progress in the adoption of the latest technology.  Be glad you are not in the North Thurston Public Schools (see article) - They are not using IPads "because they don't work with the district's technology system." Really?  At any rate the article highlights the work in several other districts.  My favorite part is where one teacher discusses how well the students take care of the IPads, something they originally worried about.  We have had the same experience with even our fourth and fifth graders. The treat them as if they were gold - they kind of are to them.  Her quote from the article - "They put them back where they're supposed to.  They never put French books back where they're supposed to."

Here is the link : http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/18/1918639/with-ipads-olympia-students-have.html

MIssIssIppI - A state with so many I's was bound to adopt IPods and IPads

Here is a story about several school systems in Mississippi who have adopted IPods and IPads.  While several have gone all in in terms of adopting the use of mobile technologies, it's interesting to hear one school system's leader who is still "looking into piloting the implementation of IPods in areas that we feel will benefit the students." While some kids are using the latest technologies everyday in one district, another district right next door talks about the use of technology to reach and engage students as being part of "the future educational experience."  No, you're wrong!  It's part of their current educational experience, just not for the 7 1/2 hours they are in YOUR schools.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20111127/NEWS01/111270337/Districts-equip-classrooms-latest-technology?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Maryland Educators of Gifted Students Conference

Our IPod Team will be presenting this coming Friday, October 21st at the annual Maryland Educators of Gifted Students Conference (MEGS) Conference - Cultivating Creative Minds.  The link for the conference is - http://www.megsonline.net/conference11.htm  This year's conference is being held at Catonsville High School in Baltimore.  If you are in attendance please stop by and check out our session entitled, "IPods and Inquiry-Real Questions in Real Time."  If you are interested in checking out our work, I will be posting our conference presentation on Friday afternoon or evening.