Apple Learning Institute’s Immediate Positive Impact
Learn how the Apple Learning Institute enhances leadership to shape a better technological future at your school.
Becoming an accredited Apple Learning Leader is just one of the many immediate positives that comes from attending the Apple Learning Institute. This innovative and hands-on course supports educators to build a Digital Learning Plan and equips them with the leadership skills they’ll need to facilitate technological change. Regardless of the educational setting or the technological change you wish to aspire to, the Apple Learning Institute can help you build a comprehensive roadmap to success.
Kate Burns - Digital Lead at St Joseph’s Secondary School
“From the outset of the course, my perception of leadership was challenged. The material we discussed gave me an opportunity to decide what type of leader I am as well as how the right leadership could help others and influence my digital teaching methods. I was able to see the various needs for leadership and how, with the right support, my school could achieve our Digital Learning Plan goals.
Student and Teacher use of iPad and the Digital Learning Plan in our school had been long established when I attended the ALI. Immediately following the course, I could see the small changes that could be made to the plan to increase the potential of the technology. We decided that we needed to have a smaller core collection of apps that could be used across all subject areas. This would allow teachers to share their experiences with these apps and fully realise their potential for classroom embedment. As an Apple Learning Leader, I was happy to speak with other teachers about the multiuse of apps such as Pages and Keynote that can allow students to complete projects with more than just written and visual tools but also audio and collaborative features. My role within the Digital Learning Plan is clearer now that I understand the part I can play, whether that is a coach, a mentor, or a facilitator.”
Laura Campion - Digital Lead at Ratoath Senior National Primary School
“During the Apple Learning Institute, our overall leadership mentality shifted. We started to think carefully about how we could communicate and collaborate with members of the school community more effectively. The second course module, ‘Collaborative Leader’ brought this into sharp focus for us; we identified what kind of leader we would like to work with and what type of leader the school needs to make the most of our new Apple devices.
The immediate impact of the ALI on our Digital Learning Plan saw us change our approach to the rollout of the new set of iPads. Originally, we had planned to roll out the devices to classes on a timetabled basis, without targeted support to teachers. Following the ALI, we facilitated a workshop to introduce the technology to the staff, enabling them the time to use an iPad and familiarise themselves, before the pupils gain access to the class sets. This, we feel, will ensure that the teachers are confident in their classroom delivery of the use of the iPads and realise our aims for the Digital Learning Plan. It has also afforded us time to revise the Digital Policy in the school and circulate a survey for the staff and students on what they hope to use the iPads for and troubleshoot any problems/concerns that arise.”
The Apple Learning Institute is a collaborative experience. Teachers from a range of backgrounds share good practice and improve their digital strategies during the course. The deep exploration of changeability throughout ensures that immediate changes will have a long-term sustainable effect through the creation of solid Digital Learning Plans. We are proud to have accredited the very first Apple Learning Leaders in Ireland. More importantly however, we are excited to see how this new community of leaders impacts the landscape of technological pedagogy in the future.
