Skip to main content

Ready for the 2014-15 School Year


Students are arriving in their new school uniforms carrying backpacks filled with school supplies. Teachers have artfully decorated their classrooms and are ready to welcome students for the first day. And our iAchieve teachers are ready to move forward with technology integration in their classrooms.




This summer we provided technology PD to our 26 1:1 iPad Flip Learning teachers, along other
groups using iPad Media Kits (a teacher iPad, Apple TV, and HDMI projector) and 1:1 iPod touches. The Flip Learning teachers spent four days together learning about flip learning, creating flip lesson videos, planning flip lessons, setting up student iPads, and practicing using a variety of apps. Our group was made up of 13 new flip learning teachers and 13 continuing flip learning teachers. The continuing teachers took the lead on much of the PD. iPad Media Kit teachers learn about using the iPad and Apple TV as an instructional tool in the classroom as an alternative to an interactive whiteboard. iPod touch teachers focused on some different ways to manage using iPods during literacy centers, shared different ways the iPod are effective for their students, and identified specific needs to help them better utilize the iPod touches.

One Day 1 of Flip Learning PD, teachers delved deeper into the meaning of flip learning. They explored definitions from different perspectives and researched the 4 Pillars of Flip Learning. Working in small groups, each group researched 1 Pillar, created a teaching poster, and presented that Pillar to the other groups. The 4 Pillars are: Flexible Environment, Learning Culture, Intentional Content, and Professional Educators. Visit Flip Learning Network to learn more.


   

    

      

On Day 1 we had the new teachers rate how they were feeling about flip learning, using iPads, creating videos, lesson planning, and holding parent meetings. They rate themselves each day as we progress through the professional learning. 
Day 1
Day 4







           
On "Technology Day" everyone get to set up the student iPads and really get to know their carts. this year we have some really cool cases with an embossed logo!

The continuing teachers led new flip learning teachers through the process of creating flip lesson videos. We conducted video creation stations where the teachers were introduced to a variety of ways to create their videos including screen casting, using apps such as Explain Everything, and using the iPad camera. The continuing teachers also had opportunities to check out ways they had not used before to refine their skills.
      

iPad Media Kit teachers are very excited about using these tools in their classrooms!
      

 

I am excited to see how our teachers impact student learning through the integration of mobile devices!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Digital Science Fair Projects

At the end of the year, many of our schools hold school wide science fairs. Students plan Science fair project tri-fold display board and implement projects and then present the process and resulting data on tri-fold display boards much like this. One class decided to go green and do away with using display boards. They conducted their experiments and recorded the data but rather than create paper reports they used their iPads. Project Data Graphs The students took pictures and video and created graphs and other visual representations and imported those into the Explain Everything app. During the science fair, students brought their iPads to the school's multipurpose room and presented their projects to attendees right from the iPads. In addition to using digital tools, these students are also developing their listening, speaking, and presentation skills - all vital to college and career readiness.
Post a Comment
Read more

Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers

Check out these online graphic organizers from Holt: Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers The site has over 30 graphic organizers for a variety of tasks. Each graphic organizer is interactive and can be downloaded onto a computer with Adobe Reader and be filled out right on the computer. There are also Teaching Notes available with tips and lesson ideas for each organizer What we really appreciate is that they also work on the iPads! Using the "Open In" feature in an IOS web browser such as Safari or Chrome, you can import the graphic organizer into the Adobe Reader app and easily fill in the fields. Students can then take a screenshot of the completed graphic organizer to share with their teacher or import into another iPad project.
2 comments
Read more

T. A. G. Strategy

We want our students to reflect on their own work but also to be able to give effective feedback to each other. This is true for writing, conversations, or digital work. It's tough for us as adults and even more difficult for our students - no matter the grade level. As we have started using Seesaw ( https://web.seesaw.me/ ) and its student Comment feature, I've seen lots of "I like ..." and "That's cool" comments. Not very meaningful. I recently came across this simple strategy called T.A.G: Tell, Ask, Give. An easy to remember acronym and a good way to get students started in making effective comments.  I've seen several variations but like these descriptors for the acronym: Tell - something you learned or was meaningful ("like" if they are specific about what they like) Ask - a question Give - a compliment or recommendation (depending upon the purpose for the comment) Download a pdf here . Here are some additional ...
Post a Comment
Read more