By Tim Bishop

WHEELING—Teachers and principals from Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston are moving into the future thanks to funding from the diocese as part of the professional development monies from the Catholic Sharing Appeal (CSA).

Two teachers, chosen by their principals, from each school will begin using the iPad as a teaching tool in the classroom. Money from the CSA was used to purchase the iPads and accompanying hardware and software.

Teachers took part in a special, two-day training session June 6-8 at Wheeling Jesuit University’s Center for Educational Technologies. The training was provided by the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools and the EdVenture Group. The training gave teachers the opportunity to learn more about using iPads to enhance teaching and learning and explore future possibilities for their school. Director of Instructional Technology for the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools Jennifer Hornyak said, “The emergence of mobile technologies in education has challenged us to explore how we can improve teaching and learning for our students. Our Teaching and Learning with iPads trainings have been a great opportunity for our teachers to learn more about how the iPad and how it can be an integral part of teaching and learning. These trainings have equipped the teachers with an understanding of the possibilities that mobile technologies have in opening doors in education—especially for our students.”

Tim Bishop Photo

Teachers from diocesan Catholic schools throughout the state recieve new iPads as part of an iniative to increase technology in the classroom.

During the training, teachers received their own iPad to be used in their classroom during the 2012-13 school year. Teachers learned how to use the iPads for classroom instruction including small group, whole class and in a 1-to-1 environment. Teachers also explored applications and other resources for their specific grade level. As part of the program, those teachers are responsible for returning to their respective schools to train others.

Hornyak said many schools across the diocese are already using the iPad as an effective teaching tool. “The Department of Catholic School’s goal,” she said, “is that each school determine a customized plan for integration of mobile technologies as part of their technology plan. This means something different for each school. We have some schools looking at a 1-to-1 initiatives while others plan to implement class packs of iPads.”

Hornyak has also developed a two-day training for principals in diocesan Catholic schools to be held June 18-19. The session will help administrators explore how the iPad can be used as an administrative tool. A second teacher training has been scheduled June 20-22 in Morgantown.

Hornyak has also developed a website for teachers and principals at http://teachingandlearningwithipads.weebly.com/. There, visitors can receive more information about the program as well as view resources, training schedules and agendas.