CH-CH Teachers Attend iPad Summit

In November, members of the CH-CH faculty journeyed into the city of Boston for the annual EdTechTeacher iPad Summit. The conference brought together thousands of teachers and tech integrationists from across the United States and Canada. Attendees had the opportunity to explore various workshops and hear from speakers centered on how iPads are transforming education.

Our resident Academic Technology & Innovation Integrationist, Jon Andruchow, has attended this conference the last two years and sees great value in collaborating around technology. "It's always good for us to see what other schools are doing, both to bring back new and innovative practices and to validate the amazing work our teachers are already doing."

Science teacher Jennie Williams attended a workshop that focused on preparing students to be successful in a world where machines are replacing human jobs. Williams learned how to encourage innovative problem solving based on empathy. She plans to bring this concept into her classroom by introducing her students to the design thinking approach to problem solving, rather than the traditional scientific method. “One sample prompt [of design thinking] that I’m excited to try out is design one aspect of a partner's study routine,” said Williams. "They will start with empathy and determine what prevents their partner from having productive study skills, then work through the process and actually test their ideas and get feedback from their partner.”

For History Department Chair Maxon Kasumba, the conference was an incredible experience. "Every session I went to made it a point to highlight how teachers could foster learning in a variety of ways, even without the iPad,” said Kasumba. “This is especially important for our school as we stress differentiated instruction.” The highlight of the conference for Kasumba was, without a doubt, the chance to hear from one of the original members of Apple Inc., Guy Kawasaki. "It was fascinating to hear from someone that had such an impact on this historical picture of technology."

Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall’s Khalsa Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning will be hosting its own academic technology workshop in February. This event will allow local teachers and tech integrationists to present the great ways they are already utilizing technology, and to collaborate with one another in developing new ideas for their classrooms.