In early September I began the process of writing a grant for a classroom set of 4th generation iPod Touches. In the grant I used information and knowledge gained over the first summer of this program with my pre-exsisting knowledge of the possibilities of mobile learning. This project was undertaken outside the context of the graduate program. You can read a copy of what I submitted here. The grant was accepted in a two stage implementation process. I recieved 12 iPods this past school year (begining in February 2011) and will recieve 8 additional iPods in the 2011 - 2012 school year. In order to supplement for the missing iPods this year, I convinced my administration to support a BYOD policy (Bring Your Own Device). Overall the entire experience went amazingly well. I am excited to continue to change my practices and model the paradigm shift for my colleagues. Below is a video I created for the organization that funded the grant that shows some examples of what my students were able to accomplish. Please note that the intended audience for the video are those who are outside of Academia, and even outside the K12 classroom. The video was created for members of the community to see what was done with the grant money and therefore it needed to be relatively short and devoid of academic jargon.

The slide deck  I used to launch the project can be found here. Please note that this was not designed as a standalone slide deck, and that I provided narration when launching this project in my classroom. However, I think that you can a general grasp of my expectations based on the slides. You can also find the finished websites the students constructed on my classroom wiki. Please have a look, and leave a comment on one if you feel compelled. 

Standards addressed in this section:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity (use of iPods in all aspects of the video and related links to student work) 

In this section I used my knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness

b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.

c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.

d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments (use of iPods in all aspects of the video and related links to student work) 

I designed, developed, and evaluated authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. 

a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.

d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility (I required all pictures and music to be licenced by Creative Commons for the TtmSP Project)

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices

a. advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.