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.

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.

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!

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.

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!!

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!!