Hi, everyone! (I guess someone has to be first at these things!)

I'm currently not in a school environment at the moment although I do work with schools and PYP teachers so my responses to the questions may be a mixture of my experience as PYP teacher/coordinator/ICT teacher and now as a curriculum developer. It may seem confusing at first but I promise that when you meet me, all will become clear :-)

Here are my responses to the question above:

1. Specific areas of inquiry - I am interested to hear about ICT practices on how ICT is used, viewed, and discussed in PYP schools. I would also like to find out what kind of guidance schools need to clarify the role of ICT in a PYP school.

2. Tensions related to ICT - I've only worked in PYP schools that fully adapted the PYP without the complication of blending in a national curriculum so I'd like to understand how schools with specific ICT requirements as mandated by the state work with what IB says about the role of ICT in the PYP.

3. I started hosting internal seminars and workshops to support staff who are interested to learn more about new digital media. This includes reading groups as well!

Hi there,

1. I am specifically interested in the way ICT practice is being structured and integrated within PYP schools and classrooms. I particularly look forward to exploring the different kinids of approaches and practices underway or being trialled in schools.

2. As a school, we are developing a more technologically rich environment and are changing the model we have previously used for teaching ICT. With the introduction of greater access to netbooks/laptops and a switch to a ICT facilitator model, we have both many challenges and exciting times ahead. There are tensions associated with these changes, although some are not unique to the fact that we are a PYP school.

3. I did some work last year as a critical friend on the development of a social networking site devoted to exploring the teaching of thinking. It was interesting to explore how to make the site relevant and engaging for a world wide audience.

1. I am interested how teachers integrate an inquiry cycle into student online research, all things 1 to 1 and class communities online.

2. A tension would be the focused technology skill based approach as opposed to an integrated approach. What ICT documents do other schools have to guide the teachers and do schools map what applications are used by teachers across the grades.

3. Last year I used individual blogs for my student digital portfolios tackling the issue of process vs product and trying to coordinate it in a way that follows PYP principals and the IB learner profile. I'm continuing this process in a more coordinated way on this website http://hkaeportfolios.weebly.com/ throughout the year.

1. I am coming into the workshop with an open mind. At present, we are in the position to make some decisions about where to go with ICT in the PYP. I don't see much integration taking place, partly due to lack of resaources and limited access to professional training. How ICT is being used in other schools will be of great benefit.

2. There are some issues as to which direction we should be heading, and what would be a good plan for the future. This year we have an ICT curriculum coordinator for the first time (Hey, Hannah, also coming on the course) and we really need to review where we are as a school.

3. Difficult to answer this, as i am certainly not an innovative ICT user. We are looking at using digital portfolios in the junior school, but have not started as yet.

1. Areas of Inquiry - I would like to explore how ICT is being used to further and deepen inquiry (especially in relation to the key concepts of the PYP)

2. Tensions - sharing of media. We would like to help educate students how to effectively share media but at the same time we want to keep them protected. This balance is a difficult one to find and I look forward to exploring it further.

3. Innovation - Out of Class: Exploring what skills children will need in the future and how this fits with the IB. In Class: Geographic based activities

Hi
1. Inquiry- I am interested in learning about diffrent ways to use ICT when planning from inquiry...I mean how to intergrate ICT into the inquiry for the students. Also how to use ICT to explore the key concepts.
2. Tensions- finding child relevant/ friendly web sites for students to use and the issues of reliable sources. Also within our school the difference in knowledge of teachers and specialists and how they / if they impliment and use ICT.
3. I have a few web 2.0 site I have been using with my class... hopefully they will be 'new' to the participants of the workshop!

1. specific areas - how to make ICT as an engaging learning tools (which is fun, not that complicated and friendly user) and not as a subject

2. tension - how to have a good understanding of ICT (as tool of engaging learning) rather that to see it as a Computer and Internet only. They would say that they are illiterate of ICT because they dont have computer and internet connection. And students prefer to open google/google translate to find quick answer and copy-paste it

3. The same issue with Will's: innovation. How to bring the ICT out of from computer lab and how to fits with the IB (or the concept of ICT - if there's any)

•What specific areas of inquiry would you like to engage with during the ICT in the PYP workshop?
I am very excited to have the opportunity to meet with like minded, ICT savy teachers.
I am hoping to engage with how others are incorporating ICTs from a global perspective and the development of PYP essentials with an ICT lens.

• Are there any tensions you are experiencing related to ICT in the PYP either generally or specifically at your school?
I am also curious about how others deal with the tensions of their state or national (or whatever governing body) requirements in regards to ICTs and the needs of the PYP.

I would also like to engage with those who are responsible for whole school ICT development and training with ICTs (share resources, strategies ....).

Finally, the chalenge of upskilling teachers in ICTs - what has worked, what motivates and changes that struggling or disengaged educator to one who just can't teach without it (or how to change the' chalk and talk' teacher - to one who is innvative with ICTs...).

• What is one new or innovative idea about your use, thinking or implementation of ICT that you would like to share with other participants ? (just mention idea here - don't describe in detail)

Probably the JSSALC wiki that has been our ICT focus for 2010 as it has a variety of links to Web2.0 tools and UOIs embedded with ICTs.
Or the development of ICT Compentency documentation and expectations for the teachers and use of online tools such as edmodo to support this ICT journey.

1. I am interested in learning more about how others school are integrating ICT into the units of inquiry while also teaching the basic ICT skills that our PYP students need!

2. We are in the process of creating a fresh ICT foundation for our school, and I am looking for how to have our students view the computers beyond U-Tube and games. I am struggling to find reliable, friendly sites for our students, especially the younger ones.

3. I am excited to share some Web 2.0 sites, as well as just bounce creative ideas off my fellow peers at the conference.

Jambo,

Areas of inquiry:
I am interested in finding out how PYP schools support the needs of individual learners in their inquiries – do other schools have ICT skills-based lessons for their children; are set targets across similar schools comparable?

Tensions:
Initially – the future role ICT would play at the school – would we use it both as a stand-alone and as a tool or just as a tool with genuine inegrtioon in all areas of the school curriculum.

Innovation:
Would use of ‘School Activity’/Enrichment/Clubs count?
Have been exploring a number of ‘out-of-the-curriculum areas with interesting results: video-editing with Ulead Studio, basic sessions in Corel Draw and Corel Photoshop amongst other applications.

Aloha,

* What specific areas of inquiry would you like to engage with during the ICT in the PYP workshop?

I am really interested in sharing integration ideas with like minded others. How exactly are others integrating ICT use within the UOI.



* Are there any tensions you are experiencing related to ICT in the PYP either generally or specifically at your school?

We have just begun to use a flexible schedule for grades 3-5 but I have a fixed schedule for grades K-2. This poses problems when I want to join grade level planning meetings. How to balance my time between actual classroom time and planning time when half my time is fixed.



* What is one new or innovative idea about your use, thinking or implementation of ICT that you would like to share with other participants ? (just mention idea here - don't describe in detail)

Communication of what is happening and giving integration ideas to teachers, monthly newsletter http://esmoodle.aisgz.org/esmoodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=4011 and blog. http://sdoak.edublogs.org/

SAWASDEE KA!

*What specific areas of inquiry would you like to engage with during the ICT in the PYP workshop?

I want to improve on how I can integrate ICT in the UOI and I am interested how other teachers integrate ICT in UOI.

*Are there any tensions you are experiencing related to ICT in the PYP either generally or specifically at your school?

I feel that some teachers are expecting me to integrate ICT in all their UOIs. Thank God we are having a PD day today and our principal has proposed that homeroom teachers will have to speak with a specialist for the one Major UOI integration in a specialist subject and one minor UOI integration in a specialist subject, it doesn't have to be one specialist.

*What is one new or innovative idea about your use, thinking or implementation of ICT that you would like to share with other participants ? (just mention idea here - don't describe in detail)

I enjoyed our Grade 5's unit Who We Are with the sub topic Changes and Choices. I used the website www.goaminate.com for students to create a situation about peer pressure happening in our school or in the community. This is not a new idea but students enjoyed it so much.

For younger kids, I used www.zimmertwins.com

Hi to all. In BISS, ICT is a subject led by a specialist teacher and not by the lead teacher. There has been a confusion on the part of the teachers as to who will lead this subject and how will this be done since in MTPYPH, it is recommended that lead teachers should teach ICT as well. If that is the case, then how can we teach skills that the students need in ICT such as using some computer programs? An ICT specialist teacher would be better in doing the specified task. These are some questions I have in mind. I am hoping that these will be answered in the workshop. Thanks.

1. I come from the same school as Elena. I am the the specialist teacher teaching ICT from Gr. 1-5. My first inquiry is the same as hers. My second one is the ICT Scope & Sequence (SS) in PYP curriculum. If we have, I would like to know how to use it as a guidance to integrate ICT in UOI. If we don't have, may be we could discuss what we want to put in the SS. In BISS, ICT always integrates in UOI. The 3rd one is what ICT we teach (computer only? or radio, TV etc)
2. We have been integrating ICT in every UOI eversince we have seperate sessions for ICT in BISS. Our computer rooms are also available for students & teachers to come during their UOI period. Recently, there is an issue on class teachers who need to come to computer session as recommended by IBO visiting team.
3. For the last 2 years I have been teaching them computer skills (hard skills) as well as designing skills (soft skills: investigate, design, plan & evaluate). I teach them designing skills because I want them to be a creator not only user. This is as a response to the rapid change & the multi platforms of ICT lately.

1. I want to know more how ICT is integrated into students inquiry in and out side the classroom, especially when resources and time (duration) are limited. Since there is no specific guidance from IB, eagerly want to see how it works in other school.
2. We welcome students from different back ground to learn in our school which lead to the different opportunity to have tools at home and practice their ICT skills. As the result, some of them only have time to use tools and practice their skills only at school. Then teachers hardly figure out to make balance between teaching skills and to integrate the ICT tools and skills in their inquiry. IB visiting team recommended us to provide PCs in every class room and to have additional computer room, yet the scheduling is still the issue because we have to share the rooms with other class.
3. Classroom blogging and Moviemaker are the favorite tools for students to present their work. We are looking forward to see and know other 'friendly used' program for students and teachers to support their inquiry.

1. I would like to learn about how others integrate ICT into their programmes and to find ways to improve my own. I am interested in finding and how to use online resources for primary students.

2. The main issue for our staff is time for PD and then the planning and implementation. We have focussed on other areas of the curriculum in PD recently and it would be great to have an ICT focus.

3. As a JP teacher my focus is teaching my students computer skills and how to use the internet safely. We also integrate literacy, inquiry and ICT by creating multimedia stories.

1. I would like to know more about how other schools have structured ICt within their schools and how they integrate ICts into their UNits of Inquiry. We are reviewing our school ICT & I am looking for ideas about how to integrate ICT in all of the 5 essential elements.

2. There are issues around ICT as we are undergoing an ICT reviiew, so we are looking at all areas and looking to invigorate and refresh our approach to ICT. We have been looking at the best way to go about this.

3. Difficult to answer. Innovation is where we are wanting to head. Not sure we are there yet

1. I'm curious to see the PYP's philosophy on ICT in education. Also keen to develop a range of ideas from the leaders and participants about fun, creative and meaningful ways to integrate ICT.

2. Lack of access, slow computing, lack of leadership pushing IT integration.

3. Probably one of my greatest successes was convincing leadership and IT guys to introduce google apps for education to the school. It has allowed for better collaboration and for students & teachers to access learning at home. Still a long way to go before we could be called innovative though.

1. Definitely interested in finding out more about how schools are going about integrating ICT into the classrooms and programme wide, partciularly in the early years - 5-8 year olds. We have identified the areas of concern in our current practice but still devleoping the path forward. We are a very large school - 10 classes per year level and lookng at what works best - even down to PC's versus MACs - laptops versus desktop for younger students....

2. As Richard has already outlined - (AISS) we are embarking on new structures which have implications school and programme wide. I'm interested in finding out more about the 'Digital Literacy' roles a couple of you have talked about.

3. Tension exists at present for us as we are grappling with what will work best with our Year 2 students and how to create access for 200 students in this year level.

4. We have many examples of innovative practice going on - one example is the use of blogs to share with the parent community. Once class started and now we have a Year one weebly - password protected but accessible by students, teachers and parents in Year One - very successful so far this year.

1. Scope and sequence for ICT skills for staff and students. Best methodds for staff trining and to instil enthusiasm
2. Lack of leadership to date from admin re supporting IT. The school generally is "behind the times" re IT in most aspects. Need to encourage staff PD for IT training.
3. Use of blogs, wikis and now Moodle for communication with students, parents and for class administration.

•What specific areas of inquiry would you like to engage with during the ICT in the PYP workshop?

Finding out how ICT has been / is being integrated into UoIs whilst maintaining certain skill levels. How ICT is planned for by others
We currently do not have specific assessment of students ICT progress across the school so I would be very keen to learn what others are doing and how this fits with PYP.

• Are there any tensions you are experiencing related to ICT in the PYP either generally or specifically at your school?
At the moment a tension is ensuring that teachers are planning for a broad range of ICT use rather than relying on certain, more familiar strategies / resources etc and that ICT is not a specific subject like Maths, Language etc so making sure aspects are not 'overlooked'.

• What is one new or innovative idea about your use, thinking or implementation of ICT that you would like to share with other participants ? (just mention idea here - don't describe in detail)
We used the ISTE standards and adapted them slightly to form the basis of our ICT scope and sequence.

Hi,
I am coming to this PD very open minded, I am hoping that I will see hear learn things that will help to move ICT forward at our school
1. Inquiry: How ICT is planned so that it is integrated into program and specific skills are taught with in the integrated model. Scope and sequence documents that other schools have developed or are using. What skill expectations other schools have for students at the various levels. What/How do other schools do to manage unreliable internet commections?
2. Tensions: Lack of access to relaible service, support, resources, time and PD would sum it up. We have had some improvement since the start of this year however frustration levels are high. Individual teachers integrate technology in their programs we do not have an ICT teacher.
3. Innovation: Many individual teachers trying things in their classes - not really anything ' out of the box '. This year one thing I have started is a fortnightly news letter 'Tech Thoughts' that provides information, links and tries to get people to think outside of their 'norm'. We are hoping to start moving towards more innovative practices.
Basically I am very keen to see what others are doing and how this fits with the IBPYP.

I would like to learn how to formally implement ICT integration in the PYP classrooms in a school where there is no formal instructional class of ICT.

The tensions seem to surface when soemtimes teachers feel they are expected to integrate technology in their everyday activities and they may feel that they do not have the sufficient knowledge to comfortable transfer it to their students.

It is not very innovative, but we think it can help... The PYP Coordinator and I are starting a blog to 'shoot' ideas to the tecahers on integrating technology in their current UOIs as well as ideas for simplifying documenting or doing every day simple tasks .