Mrs. Weber
So now you have them out to students...Now that they are out to students, plan a 1/2 day where students get to explore their iPads and try out a few apps. Give them opportunities to do this or else you will struggle to get them to put them down for the first week. Try out a scanvenger hunt with QR codes around the classroom or school with clues and letters to a word.
Also, set up rules or cues such as "Black Screens" to let students know when you wish for them to put their iPads down and pay attention. Rules to consider: 1. Use "Black Screens" cue to let students know when they need to put their iPads down. 2. No iPads in washrooms 3. If using iPads in PE classes, have a designated way for them to get there (not into change rooms, but into gym first then students go change). Also have a designated spot that is safe for the iPads to be in while in the gym (stage, corner, by door, in office, etc.) 4. Lock up cart at lunch time. This keeps the iPads food free and ensures that students arent' |
Applications and where to go next:1. Edmodo: setting up an edmodo classroom is essential to 1:1 use. It allows you and the students to communicate very easily and students can hand in assignments, do quizzes, post notes, give out good websites to other students, post news stories for current events, and do pretty much anything else you can think of.
2. Set up your students on blogs: this can be kidblog.org or blogster (googleapp) or weebly. I have had success with kidblog.org. Now that blogster is more iPad friendly, this may be a good option. Blogs are great for L.A but also for social studies, studying, science journals/experiment logs and math journals. 3. Let your imagination run wild!: Don't be afraid to let the kids teach you. Often, great assignments were developed by students because they tried out a new app that I did not know about. I let them teach me about the iPads 4. Get yourself set up on Twitter: this is essential to developing better teaching strategies and implementation of your iPads. It is a huge PD fest every time you go on twitter. You will find cool ideas and even better, you'll get to connect with other iPad educators. Search #ipaded #edtech #abed #edchat. These are all great places for professional development. |