Participating in the iPad pilot program has been very rewarding, but it has also made me realize how little I really know about integrating technology into the classroom. It is a time-consuming process and requires so much time on the front-end of the activities to make sure that it all works properly. I also spend a lot of time making sure the iPads are updated and have the apps organized right. I have to make sure that my students haven't installed apps that they don't need and that the keyboards stay charged.
I really think that a teacher needs several months in advance of using tablets in the classroom to prepare. There is so much that needs to be done and trying to fit it all in AND continue lesson planning and teaching at the same time is hard. It will be nice to spend some time this summer planning for next year without having to worry about being in the classroom every day.
One thing I like about using tablets is that you can do easy things on a daily basis with them. Not every lesson has to be super complex and time-consuming.
I have enjoyed having the iPads and hope that in the future, I will have more of them in my classroom!
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Blog 14: Learning Networks
As an educator, I have often been a subscriber to different learning networks or list-servs. When I was a librarian, I was active on the list-serv from the Texas Library Association. I learned new things and got to share ideas with other librarians. As an administrator, I began to follow blogs. While I have been back in the classroom this year, I have discovered the Microsoft Educator Network and Edutopia. These resources provide me with tons of ideas for lessons and for creating a more engaging classroom. They also are very diverse in their offerings, which is important for me because I like being exposed to a variety of information. You can find both at the following links:
Microsoft Educator Network: http://www.pil-network.com/
Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/
Microsoft Educator Network: http://www.pil-network.com/
Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/
Blog 13: How Many?
Over the past few weeks, iPad usage in my class has been minimal, since we have been reviewing for the EOC. The students have been using Quizlet to review vocabulary and some of the studetns who do not have phones used them for our review games we played.
This Friday we are starting a project which will require the students to use the iPads to create a finished product. This will include blogs, a timeline, and a video. I will also have to use the iPads one day for research, as I will be in a computer lab that doesn't have enough computers for my class. Getting started with new apps can be difficult, especially when individual usernames are required. That can also be time-consuming but I hope to address those things on Friday and get the students set up so they can start creating their projects after the research is complete. One negative in doing a project this way is that I only have 10 iPads, which makes it difficult to ensure that everyone has something to do when their group starts putting the project together.
This Friday we are starting a project which will require the students to use the iPads to create a finished product. This will include blogs, a timeline, and a video. I will also have to use the iPads one day for research, as I will be in a computer lab that doesn't have enough computers for my class. Getting started with new apps can be difficult, especially when individual usernames are required. That can also be time-consuming but I hope to address those things on Friday and get the students set up so they can start creating their projects after the research is complete. One negative in doing a project this way is that I only have 10 iPads, which makes it difficult to ensure that everyone has something to do when their group starts putting the project together.
Blog #12: Voice and Choice
One of the best ways to give students a voice and a choice in their education is to use project-based learning. This style of teaching lets students choose a topic that interests them and then research it and apply the knowledge they discover to the "real" world. The teacher becomes more of a facilitator rather than the leader of the classroom. For some, this is a hard concept to swallow. Giving students the freedom to choose what they learn is a bit contradictory to pattern of teaching "to the test" and it's hard to reconcile the two. However, the critical thinking skills that can be used when doing project-based learning are invaluable. In addition, PBL requires a ton of work in advance to make sure that the projects the students choose to complete are useful and cover the TEKs that need to be taught. When properly structured, PBL can allow a student to take the basic knowledge they learned and apply it to something that is relevant to their lives.
Blog 11: Life-long Learning
In December, I *should* be graduating from UHCL with a doctorate in Educational Leadership. This will be exactly 20 years after I graduated from college and 10 years after I graduated with my master's degree. Being a life-long learner is very important to me, especially in my role as a teacher. There will always be something new to learn in order to provide the best education to the students I work with.
Technology is one of those areas that is ever-changing and that requires continuous education. The biggest obstacles to learning about new technology and how to implement it? TIME! Over the past month, my time at school has been consumed with getting my students ready for the EOC they took yesterday. At home, I've been trying to finish up this semester of doctoral classes. I've learned that time management is so important to staying up-to-date on the latest and greatest information for the classroom. I basically have to set aside on my schedule time to catch up with the newest information. If not, it never gets done.
I feel that one of the characteristics I model the best for my students is that of life-long learner. It's important for them to realize that they must always keep learning and know how to do that so that they can be self-sufficient, independent learners throughout the rest of their lives. Using the iPads in class and modeling everything that can be done with them provides my students with experience that will help them in the future, especially when they start working in the "real" world. While I know that most of them are comfortable with technology, I hope that I have exposed them to something new that they can use for the rest of their lives.
Technology is one of those areas that is ever-changing and that requires continuous education. The biggest obstacles to learning about new technology and how to implement it? TIME! Over the past month, my time at school has been consumed with getting my students ready for the EOC they took yesterday. At home, I've been trying to finish up this semester of doctoral classes. I've learned that time management is so important to staying up-to-date on the latest and greatest information for the classroom. I basically have to set aside on my schedule time to catch up with the newest information. If not, it never gets done.
I feel that one of the characteristics I model the best for my students is that of life-long learner. It's important for them to realize that they must always keep learning and know how to do that so that they can be self-sufficient, independent learners throughout the rest of their lives. Using the iPads in class and modeling everything that can be done with them provides my students with experience that will help them in the future, especially when they start working in the "real" world. While I know that most of them are comfortable with technology, I hope that I have exposed them to something new that they can use for the rest of their lives.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Blog 10: Tech Update
We are currently using the iPads for vocabulary review, using the Quizlet app. Periodically during the lessons, the kids may use the iPads for extension activities that relate to the topic.
I have not had to change any of my procedures or policies yet. I guess that's an advantage to working with juniors.
I will report later on how well the iPads worked during our EOC blitz.
I have not had to change any of my procedures or policies yet. I guess that's an advantage to working with juniors.
I will report later on how well the iPads worked during our EOC blitz.
Blog 9: Assessment
The iPads are great for quick assessments of a student's knowledge. Socrative is a great app for doing this! You can put in a quiz and then when the kids are done it will send you an email with the results.
I think you could also use the iPads like some classrooms use dry erase boards...to write down an answer and show it to the class.
It seems that there are way more apps for elementary teachers to use for this than for secondary. Maybe I just need to be more creative with my assessment??
I will be using the iPads as part of my EOC review and I think it will make the review process more fun for my students.
I think you could also use the iPads like some classrooms use dry erase boards...to write down an answer and show it to the class.
It seems that there are way more apps for elementary teachers to use for this than for secondary. Maybe I just need to be more creative with my assessment??
I will be using the iPads as part of my EOC review and I think it will make the review process more fun for my students.
Blog 8: Lessons Learned
I am really enjoying have the iPads in my classroom and I know my kids are enjoying it! I'm sure there are still a million other things I could be doing with them BUT I just need some time to sit and figure all that out.
I would really love to have a class set of the iPads so that every student has the opportunity to create individually and not always be tied to the group. Some of my groups are starting to get grumpy with one another because they are constantly together around a single iPad. I plan to spend a lot of time this summer planning new activities and getting started at the beginning of the year with fun technology activities that will engage my kids!
I would really love to have a class set of the iPads so that every student has the opportunity to create individually and not always be tied to the group. Some of my groups are starting to get grumpy with one another because they are constantly together around a single iPad. I plan to spend a lot of time this summer planning new activities and getting started at the beginning of the year with fun technology activities that will engage my kids!
Blog 2: Ideas for Activities
I am working on coming up with a way to use my iPads for a final culminating project at the end of the year. One thing I would like the kids to do is possibly create a book or a "newspaper" that covers a particular era in US History. There are a number of apps that I think would work for publishing something.
I am also developing activities that can be completed on the iPads for my "Amazing Race" EOC Review. I'd like to have each group have something on the iPad that can track their progress through each trek. Still trying to figure out the best way to do that.
I am also developing activities that can be completed on the iPads for my "Amazing Race" EOC Review. I'd like to have each group have something on the iPad that can track their progress through each trek. Still trying to figure out the best way to do that.
Blog 6: How to Keep it All Together
Since I don't have a locking charging cabinet for my devices, I am keeping them locked in a cabinet in my room. On days when we use them, I take them out before 1st period and set them on my back counter. Each iPad has its own number and my kids are grouped together and assigned one of those specific numbers. So when we use them, they have a particular iPad they use regularly. This allows me to keep track of who is doing what on which iPad. When I had my students sign the acceptable use policy for the devices, one of the items that I included was that they let me know immediately if something is wrong or if an app was added that shouldn't be there. So far, the only major issue I have had is the kids taking selfies and setting them as the background picture!
At the end of each period, the kids plug the iPads into a charger. At the end of the day, I leave them plugged in while I finish up my work and then put them away before I leave.
For lesson content, I have used Edmodo to post an assignment and then I had the kids save it into the dropbox folder I created for the class.
Most of my kids are very capable with the iPads and have the basic skills they need.
I feel lucky that my kids have been very respectful of the iPads and taken good care of them!!
At the end of each period, the kids plug the iPads into a charger. At the end of the day, I leave them plugged in while I finish up my work and then put them away before I leave.
For lesson content, I have used Edmodo to post an assignment and then I had the kids save it into the dropbox folder I created for the class.
Most of my kids are very capable with the iPads and have the basic skills they need.
I feel lucky that my kids have been very respectful of the iPads and taken good care of them!!
Blog 4: The "flipped" classroom
I would be really interested in creating a flipped classroom. I think it would be a great way to personalize the learning and allow for classroom activities that get the kids more engaged and allow them to do things that are more creative.
What worries me about the flipped classroom is that many students don't have internet access at home. Creating this type of environment is already very time consuming, and having to create the internet lesson and then put it on paper so that you can hand it out to the kids without internet access would add to the time commitment. In addition, many students have jobs, family responsibilities, and extracurricular activities that take up a lot of time in the evening. I think that many of my students would most likely NOT do whatever was assigned for homework because of these factors and would come to class unprepared the next day.
When trying something new, it really is best to do it with kids who are really excited about the opportunity and committed to it. I think the process would need to be shared with parents as well to make sure they will be supportive of the flipped classroom.
Are you flipping your classroom? If so, share what's worked and what hasn't!
Blog 3: Apps and Activities
I have done a number of activities so far with the iPads. We are currently using quizlet to review terms, amendments, Supreme Court Cases, and people who are important for the EOC. The kids have created presentations on the iPads about important people in the various Civil Rights movements. They used the iPads to do research and then created the presentations on the iPads so they could connect to the TV via air server and present to the class. I have also had the kids take quizzes in Socrative.
I am sure that there are a million other things I could do...share your thoughts and ideas with me!!
Friday, March 7, 2014
Blog 7: We have lift-off!
YIPPEE! I have had my iPads for two weeks and we have been using them frequently! The kids love being able to do activities on them and have been great keeping them safe and sound.
I spent one day doing an intro to the iPads. We took a tour of the apps and I had them post a message in Edmodo and take a quiz in Socrative. Last week, we created vocabulary flash cards for some terms relating to the Vietnam War in Quizlet and then took a quiz over those words in Socrative. I love the ease of the online quizzes!
This week, we have been studying the 1960s by looking at the music of the era. Each day, the students had to complete a song analysis worksheet over a song that we listened to. I had all the song lyrics in Dropbox and uploaded the assignment to Edmodo. We used Pages to complete the worksheets. Our culminating project was to use the app Word Collage to create a "word cloud" using terms that describe the 1960s.
There have been a few glitches, such as how to get the documents turned in to Edmodo once they are completed, but my students have been extremely flexible with all my trial and error!
I have also had a hard time keeping the iPads charged, since I don't leave them plugged in over night (worried about leaving them out in the open when I'm not here). I'm sure that issue will be solved if we ever get out locking cabinets!
I spent one day doing an intro to the iPads. We took a tour of the apps and I had them post a message in Edmodo and take a quiz in Socrative. Last week, we created vocabulary flash cards for some terms relating to the Vietnam War in Quizlet and then took a quiz over those words in Socrative. I love the ease of the online quizzes!
This week, we have been studying the 1960s by looking at the music of the era. Each day, the students had to complete a song analysis worksheet over a song that we listened to. I had all the song lyrics in Dropbox and uploaded the assignment to Edmodo. We used Pages to complete the worksheets. Our culminating project was to use the app Word Collage to create a "word cloud" using terms that describe the 1960s.
There have been a few glitches, such as how to get the documents turned in to Edmodo once they are completed, but my students have been extremely flexible with all my trial and error!
I have also had a hard time keeping the iPads charged, since I don't leave them plugged in over night (worried about leaving them out in the open when I'm not here). I'm sure that issue will be solved if we ever get out locking cabinets!
Monday, January 13, 2014
Blog 1: Welcome blog
Welcome to my blog!
My name is Nancy and I teach U.S. History at Angleton High School. This semester, I have the awesome task of piloting the use of iPads in my classroom. I am excited about this technology adventure and hope that I can share my experience with you.
My personal goals for the pilot program are to create lessons that are more engaging for my students and allow them to work at higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. I want my students to be able to apply what they have learned in creative ways. I would love to be able to create activities that allow them to use technology at home, but I worry that many of my students do not have access to the internet at home. While everyone has a smart phone these days, I would bet that most of my students only have internet access at school when they can use the WiFi.
I hope to share my experiences with those of you that choose to read this blog and look forward to getting feedback! Thanks for joining me on this journey!!
My name is Nancy and I teach U.S. History at Angleton High School. This semester, I have the awesome task of piloting the use of iPads in my classroom. I am excited about this technology adventure and hope that I can share my experience with you.
My personal goals for the pilot program are to create lessons that are more engaging for my students and allow them to work at higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. I want my students to be able to apply what they have learned in creative ways. I would love to be able to create activities that allow them to use technology at home, but I worry that many of my students do not have access to the internet at home. While everyone has a smart phone these days, I would bet that most of my students only have internet access at school when they can use the WiFi.
I hope to share my experiences with those of you that choose to read this blog and look forward to getting feedback! Thanks for joining me on this journey!!
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