Some students will be experts with a vast amount of background knowledge about ipads, others not so much. I do not teach technology, I teach content, I discovered that my students struggled figuring out how to use the technology AND learn the content I was teaching at the same time. It was just too overwhelming! Last year I lost a month of instruction because I had to teach so slowly. I did not take the time to properly introduce my students to the device! It is the second day of school and my students are getting comfortable with the ipads without new content. Here is how I've decided to introduce my classes to the modern world (where an ipad can be a tool and not just a toy):
FIRST:
I have my students create accounts for the following three apps that we will use every day:
**All of these apps require students to sign in and out so their work is protected.
1. Edmodo:
This app is like Facebook for school, I post their assignments and they can turn in their assignments electronically, this app allows me to go paperless. This solves the problem of ipads not being hooked up to a printer (mine are not).
2. Evernote:
My students use Evernote to complete their assignments. They copy and paste their assignment from Edmodo into Evernote. It is like a notebook that saves all of their work, they can access it anywhere there is Internet access. Students can even turn their work in from Evernote to Edmodo.
3. Dropbox:
This is a cloud storage app. It allows the students to store pictures, documents, and videos. It saves their work and keeps their information safe from other students (I have a classroom set of 30 ipads that are shared by five different classes so sharing is an issue).
As students create accounts for the above apps I walk around and provide assistance. They are slowly gaining confidence with their new device.
SECOND:
I let the students to explore the ipad without instruction or direction from me, I allow them to do this for the duration of one song (I play music and use it as a classroom management tool it is a PEAK strategy from Peak Learning Systems).
Some students need longer to create their accounts (the three above) and this "free" time allows them to finish creating those accounts without feeling rushed.
THIRD:
I have students complete each of the tasks below using information about themselves. This allows my students to learn to use the technology without having to learn new content at the same time.
*Each underlined word is an app
Task 1: Trading Cards
Students create a trading card about themselves, save it to their pictures, and upload it into Evernote.
Task 2: Pic Collage
Students create a collage that tells me about their personality. They can use the camera to take "selfies" (pictures of themselves), use pictures from the Internet, insert words, or even quotes.
Task 3: Sock Puppets
Students use Sock Puppets to make a skit that describes what they hope to get out of the class.
Task 4: Tellagami
Students create an avatar (or "Gami") of themselves in 15 years, they can make their Gami look like they think they will look, dress like they will, and they must talk about their family, where they are with their career, and what they are doing. This helps the students establish goals by visualizing their future.
I put each of these tasks on a Power Point slide and go over it with the students one at a time. I also post the Power Point in Edmodo so my more advanced students can go at their own pace, this ensures that no student finishes early and is left with nothing to do. I intentionally gave them more than it is possible to accomplish.
We spend two 50 minute class periods on all of the above. Then we focus on learning the course content. They will still need to learn more about each app we use and I will teach it when the time comes, but now it will not take as long because the students have had time to explore. While the ipad can be a crucial tool, it could also be a confusing distraction, which is why all of this set up and preparation is so very crucial.
If you teach with ipads what do you do to prepare your students?
If you don't teach with a tablet what do you suggest doing to ease students into using them?
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Where to Begin...
I've learned a thing or two last year as I worked my way through the challenges that teaching with ipads can present. I figured out the best tools to use on a day to day basis: Edmodo, Evernote, and Dropbox. All three of these are password protected meaning each student creates his/her own account and it is safe from other students. These apps are also pretty user friendly meaning most of my students can use them with ease.
As soon as my kids return their ipad contracts (see previous blog for contract) to me and we begin working on ipads I will let them"play" on the ipad, to touch buttons, figure out how things work, give at least 20 minutes, maybe more if you have a younger group. Students will play with the camera which I allow at first as long as the pictures are deleted.
After students are more comfortable with the ipad we then create accounts for these three apps. I go through each app one at a time so I don't overwhelm my kids. Some may finish early and it is okay for them to go at different paces. As with anything some will do this quickly and others may take longer and that is okay. Invite the students who finish early to make slides about themselves using Pic Collage (an app that is a favorite among my students) or to write a story using Story Buddy (another good app) or Book Magic (app) about their life/summer/anything...This keeps students from being bored and making bad choices while rewarding them by allowing them to work on the ipad in a constructive way...win/win!
I use each of the following "starter apps" for...
Edmodo: I will post their Entry Tasks and Assignments here. Every day students come in, get their ipad, and log into Edmodo to do their Entry Task. They copy and paste their Entry Task into Evernote and store the assignment there to turn in to me on Friday. I can also post updates, give quizzes, manage assignments and more. Edmodo is invaluable to me as a teacher. It has allowed me to go paperless!
Evernote: Students can do their assignments and take notes here
-They can even turn things into Edmodo using Evernote
Dropbox: Students will save their documents, pictures, and videos here.
All of these apps are Internet based meaning they can access them anywhere they have Internet access. They don't need an ipad, just a computer.
Passwords: I know that technology experts will tell you not to use the same password for multiple accounts and never to write them down. I teach High School students and sometimes it is a miracle for them to be able to remember one! I do encourage students to use the same username and password for all apps. It is awful to have them forget and create a new account. If they need to write it down then you as a teacher can keep a copy of it in your desk if it must be written down.
As soon as my kids return their ipad contracts (see previous blog for contract) to me and we begin working on ipads I will let them"play" on the ipad, to touch buttons, figure out how things work, give at least 20 minutes, maybe more if you have a younger group. Students will play with the camera which I allow at first as long as the pictures are deleted.
After students are more comfortable with the ipad we then create accounts for these three apps. I go through each app one at a time so I don't overwhelm my kids. Some may finish early and it is okay for them to go at different paces. As with anything some will do this quickly and others may take longer and that is okay. Invite the students who finish early to make slides about themselves using Pic Collage (an app that is a favorite among my students) or to write a story using Story Buddy (another good app) or Book Magic (app) about their life/summer/anything...This keeps students from being bored and making bad choices while rewarding them by allowing them to work on the ipad in a constructive way...win/win!
I use each of the following "starter apps" for...
Edmodo: I will post their Entry Tasks and Assignments here. Every day students come in, get their ipad, and log into Edmodo to do their Entry Task. They copy and paste their Entry Task into Evernote and store the assignment there to turn in to me on Friday. I can also post updates, give quizzes, manage assignments and more. Edmodo is invaluable to me as a teacher. It has allowed me to go paperless!
Evernote: Students can do their assignments and take notes here
-They can even turn things into Edmodo using Evernote
Dropbox: Students will save their documents, pictures, and videos here.
All of these apps are Internet based meaning they can access them anywhere they have Internet access. They don't need an ipad, just a computer.
Passwords: I know that technology experts will tell you not to use the same password for multiple accounts and never to write them down. I teach High School students and sometimes it is a miracle for them to be able to remember one! I do encourage students to use the same username and password for all apps. It is awful to have them forget and create a new account. If they need to write it down then you as a teacher can keep a copy of it in your desk if it must be written down.
ipad Contracts for Students
The first days you have students on ipads are as crucial as the first days of school. You need to set your clear expectations for students. I created the contract below for my students. Please feel free to take it and alter it to fit your needs
iPad Contract
Chiawana High School
Mrs. DeBuigne
2013-14
You have the
opportunity to use ipads to help you learn.
Keep in mind,
“With great power, comes great
responsibility” –Spiderman.
Please read the
expectations below, by signing this document you are agreeing to follow all of
these rules. You will not be assigned an
ipad until this sheet is returned to Mrs. DeBuigne. Failure to follow these rules may result in
loss of ipad privileges for the day, week, semester, or even the year. Using ipads is a privilege, not a right.
1.
I will only use the
ipad to work on assigned class work and I understand it is a valuable tool, not
a toy.
2.
I will follow all
Chiawana High School policies regarding Internet usage and computer usage as
stated in the Student Handbook.
3.
I understand that the
ipad is never to leave the classroom without Mrs. DeBuigne’s approval (this
will happen on RARE occasions and during your class period only).
4.
I understand that damage
or theft of ipads could result in fines, administrator action, and/or police
involvement.
5.
I will not alter the configurations or
settings on the ipad without approval from my teacher.
6.
I will not remove any serial numbers or
identification placed on the ipads.
7.
I will not use the ipad when Mrs. DeBuigne or
another student is speaking.
8.
I will be assigned use
of one ipad I will be responsible for all material on my assigned ipad.
9.
I will put my ipad
back on the cart in the proper place at the end of every class period.
10. I will only use the camera for school purposes. I understand that pictures take up memory
that needs to be used for assignments. Memory space must be reserved for
student work. (This includes videos that are created or downloaded).
11. I will not visit any social media sites.
12. I will not use the ipad to access information that violates
school policy and is not school appropriate.
This means I will avoid anything with: swearing, gestures, gang
activity, all photos will follow school dress code, etc.
13. I will respect the assignments, pictures, videos and anything
else that another student has created on the ipads; I know that up to five
other students share this ipad with me and I will honor their work by leaving
it alone.
14. If anything of mine is deleted or altered I will notify Mrs.
DeBuigne and the matter will be investigated.
I understand that if I delete or alter someone else’s work I could lose the
privilege of using the ipad.
15. I understand that it is my responsibility to back up my work
using Drop Box, Google Drive.
By signing this contract, I acknowledge that I have read and
understand all classroom rules, expectations and consequences and will abide by
them.
Student Name (Please Print): ______________________________________________________
Student Signature:______________________________________ Date: ________________
Responsible Adult: _______________________________ Date:
_____________________
Relationship to student: ________________________________ Phone
#: _________________
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