Friday, January 16, 2015

Starting out with the iPads

A couple of us got together on Thursday after school and had a good conversation about what to do with the iPads in your classroom and how to manage student work! Things you'll want to try out:

- log into your Google Drive app on your own iPad to give you a place to keep your files organized, and also a way to share files back and forth between your iPad and your laptop computer
- create a Dropbox account as one way for students to share work with you
- download and create an Evernote account to keep student work organized (more coming on this)
- when you can and cannot use AirDrop
- create accounts for Educreations, Showme and Screen Chomp and figure out what each one is good for -- they are similar but not identical! Here's a comparison: http://www.kleinspiration.com/2012/03/interactive-white-board-apps-for-ipad.html

I also had the opportunity to try an activity with Jennifer's second grade class with their iPads. In one hour, they accomplished a lot! Here's what we did:

- showed them what the two buttons did and how to take a screen shot
- showed them how to take a photo and how to navigate the Camera and Photo apps to take still images
- modeled how to use Educreations to combine text, drawing/writing and images to make a single slide
- practiced AirDropping the screen shots to one another and to the teacher

I'm sure you've already thought about this, but in addition to safety & handling of the iPads, you will definitely want to review specific strategies for sharing, words to use, what to do/say when you want the iPad, how to decide who gets it next (we use Rock-Paper-Scissors in the media center), etc. 

Over the next couple weeks, please let me know if there is any task or app you would like them to learn on the iPad. I can model it in ILT and we can practice it here, then they can teach you what they learned.  We'll get them using them, and then figure out what to do next!

Monday, December 15, 2014

iPad apps to install

Spend some time getting to know how to use ALL the apps on your iPad. You will need to take TIME to play with each one before you'll know what's hard for your kids! I'll review each one here, one at a time, but the best learning will come when you give yourself fifteen minutes or a half hour on each one. 

For each app, ask yourself, if applicable: 
  • How does this work?
  • How do I log in?
  • How do I teach my students how to use it?
  • How will they log in?
  • How will they save their creations?
  • What issues do I foresee they will run into?

If you run into any problems, issues, concerns or confusion, please note it in the Googledoc.

Here are links to the ones YOU'LL need to install on your teacher iPad, but will be on the student iPads.

ConnectEd (shortcut) - more info soon
World Book (shortcut)
Popplet ($4.99 - try Popplet Lite)
Google Drive - there may be other apps that are better, stay tuned, but at least know how to access your drive from your iPad
Google Mail - may be other mail apps that are better, stay tuned

Lexmark (print app)


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Reflector and AirPlay

Find Reflector by clicking the magnifying glass (Spotlight tool) in the upper right corner and typing Reflector.




Directions for using Reflector: http://www.airsquirrels.com/reflector/get-started/

Math support

Reflex Math - available to 36 students in grades 2-5 through a grant Maggi got - if you want to be involved, please submit the names to Carol or Maggi.

Xtra Math - This is super easy to do. I've created accounts for the whole school, but you can make your own class if you prefer. I'll link your email to the account, print parent letters and a list of PINs for you -- just email me at idzikows at aaps.

Moby Max - Again, I've created accounts for the whole school. Your students log in here: http://www.mobymax.com/mi3046 If you want to use MobyMax, create a free teacher account at Pittsfield and I'll link you to your class list, print letters and give you a roster.

RAZ Kids isn't math, but if you want your students to be signed up for that, let me know.

Google Apps resources

Maggi's Google Apps presentation

the district's Google Apps presentation from August's PD

YouTube videos about Google: teacher tips from Google | collaboration with Gdocs

Google Classroom: presentation | YouTube

AAPS Instructional Tech blog and Going Google site

Lesson plans: compiled by Google