The aim of this session is to provide an in-depth overview about how we redesigned our curriulum to be an iPad-based learning experience. By doing so, we became the first College of Nursing to be designated an Apple Distinguished Program three times.
Within the past 20 years, technologies have greatly impacted education. Instructors have witnessed widespread classroom adoption of computers, the Internet, wireless and mobile technology. Now, the iPad and complementary apps and platforms, such as AppleTV, iTunes, the App Store, Multi-Touch books created with iBooks Author, and iTunes U, have provided an opportunity to go beyond impacting education and transform the way we learn, interact, and collaborate. For UC CoN, this transformation has not occurred in a vacuum. It has been fostered by an organizational culture that embraces technology in the classroom, along with committed leadership and a partnership between information technology (IT), instructional design and subject matter experts. To drive a culture change, the CoN initially implemented a technology-driven strategic plan and, with that as a foundation, we have:
- Developed a customer-oriented support philosophy
- Created a robust training program for faculty, staff, and students
- Created innovative learning spaces
- Improved student and faculty access through the use of technology
The degree to which faculty and students adopt, integrate, and leverage technology is closely linked to the quality of support, development, and design services readily available to them. The support infrastructure must be consistently customer-focused, high energy, rapid-responding, and forward-thinking so that faculty and students are willing to try new technologies. At the CoN, the TPACK Model, the Whole Product Model, and the Technology Adoption Life Cycle, coupled with an organizational vision to creatively leverage technology, created the comprehensive framework to advance the pioneering of iPad tablets in the classroom, lab, and clinical settings. The TPACK Model describes the positive interactions that flow from a synergistic relationship between faculty, instructional design professionals, and information technology professional. The Whole Product Model defines a comprehensive list of services (support, development, training, communication, marketing, etc.) needed to make a technology initiative successful. This framework allowed the CoN to transcend adoption and redefine pedagogical strategies as described by the SAMR Model.