"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."
~Pericles
All About Me
My name is Darren Mitzel and I am currently the Principal of MacCorkindale Elementary in Vancouver. This is my final project of a 2-1/2 year journey through the Masters of Educational Technology at the University of British Columbia.
My decision to take on another Masters program was purely out of interest and to better understand what is available for my staff and students in the area of technology in the classroom. I felt that it is important to not only stay current in this field as a school leader, but to ensure I am doing my duty as an educator and ensure the students I work for are prepared for the future.
My philosophy of educational technology has changed quite a bit since I started this program and the evolution actually mirrors my path to school based administration. I was always a proponent of using technology in the classroom and in my classroom back in 2002, I converted my cloakroom into a mini lab of 5 computers. My initial reason behind the arrangement was to create a space where students could work independently during a daily guided reading group. The students worked on a number of activities that I found either online or the classic Reader Rabbit Software that was installed. It was a success and the students were motivated to want to be on the computers whenever they got that chance.
My decision to take on another Masters program was purely out of interest and to better understand what is available for my staff and students in the area of technology in the classroom. I felt that it is important to not only stay current in this field as a school leader, but to ensure I am doing my duty as an educator and ensure the students I work for are prepared for the future.
My philosophy of educational technology has changed quite a bit since I started this program and the evolution actually mirrors my path to school based administration. I was always a proponent of using technology in the classroom and in my classroom back in 2002, I converted my cloakroom into a mini lab of 5 computers. My initial reason behind the arrangement was to create a space where students could work independently during a daily guided reading group. The students worked on a number of activities that I found either online or the classic Reader Rabbit Software that was installed. It was a success and the students were motivated to want to be on the computers whenever they got that chance.
Eyes Grow Wider
Open Area Learning Commons
In 2004, my position in the school changed to become the school librarian and computer prep for all of the classes. This was a turning point in what I saw as potential in the use of technology with students. I also saw the need to bring the library into a more prominent role as tech leader in a school. For two years, I transformed the library and adjacent computer lab into one large soon-to-be named "Learning Commons". I installed a SmartBoard in the lab and played with wireless technology. The wifi was a pilot and one of the first in an elementary school, but there many hiccups and lots of learning.
The combination of the library and computer lab in an open area concept was a match made in heaven. It gave me opportunities to combine the classic use of a library and technology all on one space.
I also used my role as a computer teacher to engage students, from Kindergarten to Grade 4, in technology projects that were purposeful and away from just gaming or "free time".
In my time at this school, I was promoted to Vice-Principal and had 2-1/2 years to practice working with staff on all kinds of school wide initiatives. Not only was I now immersed in a whole school community, I was also transitioning my thoughts on a new Learning Commons to my replacement. It was the beginning of an exciting time.
The combination of the library and computer lab in an open area concept was a match made in heaven. It gave me opportunities to combine the classic use of a library and technology all on one space.
I also used my role as a computer teacher to engage students, from Kindergarten to Grade 4, in technology projects that were purposeful and away from just gaming or "free time".
In my time at this school, I was promoted to Vice-Principal and had 2-1/2 years to practice working with staff on all kinds of school wide initiatives. Not only was I now immersed in a whole school community, I was also transitioning my thoughts on a new Learning Commons to my replacement. It was the beginning of an exciting time.
Putting it all to the test
After leaving the annex and heading out to 'do my time' as they say, as Vice-Principal at another school working alongside a Principal, I came to appreciate the collegiality during my short time there. After only one year I was off to a bigger, busier school with an energetic and intelligent colleague to provide even more tutelage in my ultimate quest to become a Principal. It was a great fit for both of us for the next 2-1/2 years and it was last stop before getting my own school.
Not only was I beginning my MET program at this time, but my thinking about educational technology really had the chance to grow at this new school. They had nothing in terms of technology tools anywhere in the school. It was a blank canvas, both physically and mentally (staff had very little knowledge). I found my niche and was ready to test the waters with some of the staff who were keen to see what technology could offer to their program and to their students. It was going to be an exciting ride.
In just over a year, with the help of the school PAC, we began the purchasing of iPads. This was the newest technology that was coming out at the time and it was important we stay with and ahead of the curve. Everyone was onboard with bringing this technology into the classroom and our technology grew as the demand increased. It took hours of time going into each of the classrooms and working side by side with the teacher (and the students) showing the possibilities. It was an easy sell for the students and soon the staff saw how easy it was to implement. A greater sell was that teachers could see they didn't have to be the expert. Their students could figure out most of the logistics, teachers just needed to provide them with the direction and criteria for completing particular assignments.
Not only was I beginning my MET program at this time, but my thinking about educational technology really had the chance to grow at this new school. They had nothing in terms of technology tools anywhere in the school. It was a blank canvas, both physically and mentally (staff had very little knowledge). I found my niche and was ready to test the waters with some of the staff who were keen to see what technology could offer to their program and to their students. It was going to be an exciting ride.
In just over a year, with the help of the school PAC, we began the purchasing of iPads. This was the newest technology that was coming out at the time and it was important we stay with and ahead of the curve. Everyone was onboard with bringing this technology into the classroom and our technology grew as the demand increased. It took hours of time going into each of the classrooms and working side by side with the teacher (and the students) showing the possibilities. It was an easy sell for the students and soon the staff saw how easy it was to implement. A greater sell was that teachers could see they didn't have to be the expert. Their students could figure out most of the logistics, teachers just needed to provide them with the direction and criteria for completing particular assignments.
My own slate
In January 2012, I was appointed to my first school as a Principal. I was assigned to the first Open Area concept school in Vancouver. It is also a school that has the first demonstration 21st Learning Commons - an Open Area concept that meets today's 21st Century learning model of mobility, open space, and small meeting spaces. It was an ideal fit for my first school and I was excited to explore all that I had learned while participating in the MET program and practiced with my staff and students and previous schools. It was a real test site.
My first order of business was to acquire some mobile technology, as I was entering a building that had nothing but some PC's scattered throughout the Areas. In fact , I didn't even have wifi capability in over 80% of the school. Only the library had a hub and even it was extremely slow in accessing the Internet.
After writing for some grants and accessing PAC funds, I was able to start with 20 iPads in their own cart. After going into classrooms and working with the teachers and students to demonstrate the possibilites with 21st Century technology, it didn't take long for staff to really see how students were engaged in their learning. It was amazing!
I've since acquired 30 Chromebooks and 10 more iPad Minis, and all of the devices are being used on a regular basis. Every one of my teachers are using some aspect of technology as part of their daily curriculum. It ranges from producing iMovies in French class, to using blogs in guided reading groups, to research and writing, to exploring a Techbook on Science. The students are engaged in their learning like never before and I'm excited to have the students at my school begin to prepare for their experience in High School and beyond.
My first order of business was to acquire some mobile technology, as I was entering a building that had nothing but some PC's scattered throughout the Areas. In fact , I didn't even have wifi capability in over 80% of the school. Only the library had a hub and even it was extremely slow in accessing the Internet.
After writing for some grants and accessing PAC funds, I was able to start with 20 iPads in their own cart. After going into classrooms and working with the teachers and students to demonstrate the possibilites with 21st Century technology, it didn't take long for staff to really see how students were engaged in their learning. It was amazing!
I've since acquired 30 Chromebooks and 10 more iPad Minis, and all of the devices are being used on a regular basis. Every one of my teachers are using some aspect of technology as part of their daily curriculum. It ranges from producing iMovies in French class, to using blogs in guided reading groups, to research and writing, to exploring a Techbook on Science. The students are engaged in their learning like never before and I'm excited to have the students at my school begin to prepare for their experience in High School and beyond.