The Portable Lesson #1

As I prepare for my classroom’s journey as a 1:1 iPad classroom I find myself thinking very differently more frequently then usual.  Aside from trying to predict what it will be like to be a 1:1 iPad classroom (that is a whollllleeee other post for another day) I have began to think how I can integrate my own iPad use into my classroom more frequently.

How can I model technology use more?

How can I use my technology to enhance my instruction more?

How can I utilize my technology during my instruction to better support my students learning needs?

Suddenly it hit me today in the middle of one of my math lessons….

retaining instruction (even with notes) is difficult for my students

their mastery of a concept significantly increases when I pair homework with reinforcements/informational videos

my current method of making videos is too time consuming

I am already using educreations as the whiteboard on my iPad with Reflections to display notes during instruction

I also write math notes, model problems and give examples

Soooooo…. If I become more conscientious of my use of educreations app.  If I create a new slide instead of erasing the slide each time I start a new problem, all I would need to do is add my own narrations and I would have a video my students could watch at home. 

So today during my math lesson…I added a slide each time I gave my students new information, an example or a new problem, after class I added my own slides, I taped my narration to go with the information, I added a few questions at the end and I had a educreations video done in less the 10 minutes.  I also had video of that days of instruction for my students to watch with questions that I could assign for homework that night.  A video with questions at the end that will reinforce my instruction, keep them engaged and monitor comprehension of the concept right at their level.

 

and you had one incredibly excited teacher!!!!
 
*in case you are having trouble viewing the video CLICK’ here for the link 

Getting Ready….Pre-Week #1

Today it began.

I did it.

I shared the letter with my students introducing the 1:1 iPad classroom we were becoming.  Excitement filled the classroom. Question after question came from their mouths and it all became real to me.

Parent Letter

This was really happening.

So as eager students go home to share with their parents the news of this fantastic opportunity I plan and prepare the technology.

My Fancy TO DO List

With a week left to prepare for the big hand out I am…

  • Assigning students to iPads
  • Labeling iPads with students names
  • Making sure all the iPads have the apps I want on them…I am starting with Dropbox, Goodreader, Edmodo, a whiteboard app, Google app and Paperport Notes
  • Making sure each student has the necessary accounts
  • Preparing a file with most used PDFs ready to be shared with each student’s Dropbox

In between preparing the iPads and having excited students eagerly return their technology agreements I am also running though my daily schedule trying to predict and anticipate any glitches I need to prepare for.

                                                                                   

Talking to Strangers: Linking Up Again

TalkingToStrangersIt has been too long since I have talked to strangers.  As a matter of fact I realized the other day that I have now been blogging for over two and a half years now…wow…two…and…a half…years.   I suppose that means I missed my anniversary six months ago…huh?!

I can’t believe it.

During these last two and a half years amazing things have happened for me…

I was a contributor for Just Be Enough.  My best friend and I shared a blog.

I’ve been to two bloggy luncheons (Girls Lunch Out).

I have shared my voice at the Kir Corner, Wednesday’s Woman and Great Expectations

I have co-written several mad crazy fun posts with Abby.

I taught my self graphic design and fell in love with the creative outlet it gave me.

I rediscovered a long lost talent and started to draw again.

I discovered within myself a woman who loves words, loves the pictures they paint and smiles at the experiences it shares.

I have been dragged in from my corner outside of the blogosphere huddled in lock down tight security fearful of sharing too much and discovered a world of in the blogosphere that is phenomenally, fantastic, beautiful, supportive and just plain amazing woman who encourage and make me feel like I am safe to try new things and put myself out there.  A group of woman I now proudly call friends.

My creations are seen, my words are read (by someone other then me…),  they were shared,  heard and I thought….

I thought all of this was enough.  I have thought that it was enough for a long time now. Continue reading “Talking to Strangers: Linking Up Again”