Alison's+Journaling+Page

Journal for Ipad

Aug. 24 - very excited about using these in the classroom. I have a long way to go, I am sure my students will be so much better at this than I. I have looked through many apps that I can use, I need to focus on the apps already on my iPad. I am learning and it will take a while. I plan on using this as my main internet tool, to see if it will help me become more comfortable.

Aug 25- I am rather excited. A little overwhelmed with all the info from the kast three days. I have learned how to use drop box and eclicker today and I feel pretty comfortable with both of these programs.

Sept. 7- looking over apps and listed a few on the wish list. Trying to see the best way to use these in the classroom.

Sept. 14- made a lesson on hurricane igor to incorporate the NOAA website and graphing that we teach in unit 1. Unfortunately the ipads were not available to use, so may next hurricane we can tweak it a little and use them then.

Sept. 21- had our first meeting got the list of apps that will be used, I was happy to find some of mine made it. We also discussed going to pioneer on oct. 5

Sept. 22- went to the library for the survey for my block one students

Oct. 5th - today we visited pioneer schools, and looked at the apps to create lessons. First we looked at the surveys our students took, They are well prepared for this. Sandy and I came up with a few ideas to use the ipads in the classroom. There are only a few apps that we can use for Earth Science. I meet with Kim ferguson and scheduled a visit for nov. 1. Deb and katie discussed ways we can use this. They will come visit me to see how I use eclickers in the classroom.

Oct. 19- I have been anxiously awaiting the ipads. Wanted to use them tomorrow, but they still are not ready. I know it's hard when there isn't enough hours in the day, but enough already I want to use them with my students. This is the second lesson I can not use because when they are available I will be on a new topic.

Oct. 26- I used the ipads today! Sandy was out with a migraine but I still used them, her sub was fairly helpful. The kids were very exited to say the least. I let them explore for ten minutes, then we did what I had planned. We used the eclicker program as review for the test. I had developed a bunch of questions for them to answer. Over all it went well. My first block had some difficulties, the other two blocks did great.

The second half of the review we used penultimate, so they could draw their response to questions that I posted on the board. The kids loved it, I enjoyed it as well. I would like to try and use other apps within lessons and not just review.

Nov. 1- went to Iroquois High School today. We went to a Biology class first then to a global 10 class. Block 7 with K. Ferguson The food analysis lab- In this blended classroom there are 24students and 2 teachers. Each student signs in book what iPad they use. This was a very interesting app. Students were very ingaged, well most. It was nice to see how Kim used these in her classroom, it appears that the students enjoyed using the ipads. I would not use this lab because it is not part of my curriculum. Students that finished the first part of the lab seemed to be very tech savvy. The class went very fast. Block 8 with Mr. violanti. Blended global 10 there are ~20 students and 2 teachers. Studentsnsignednout iPad and then preceded to Mr.Violanti's webpage. They then used google earth and flew off to Venice, to dicuss how it was an important trading post in renaissance Italy. Then went to florence Italy and compared the geography, they becoming the second most important city in renaissance Italy. Students then worked in groups and divided up the work. Then came together and shared the info.

Nov. 8- Used the ipads today in class for review. The kids were very excited, I ran into a few problems. Certain questions when I clicked on them, I got knocked off ecliker host. The kids were a little frustrated, but we got through it.

Dec. 9 - Used the Ipads in class for review, had issues with getting kicked out of the Eclicker program. We also used the video camera, some of the kids thought it was weird. Overall, it was a fun experience. Hopefully we will get more ES programs on it to use.

December 15- at Depew today for iPad conference. Learning much on the grant specs. Reviewed how to take videos off the flip cameras, While I was listen to what people were doing with the Ipads I decided to develop a Tide Quest, for the next unit. I will incorporate English in with this lesson, students will create a Haiku at the end. The only problem I have found with the Ipad usage is there isn't enough time to develop lessons that I can use. Another thing is we do not have apps that I really can use during class. I have asked for a few and am waiting for the next update.

Jan. 5 - used ipads for review, I think the kids just like playing with them.

Jan. 20- did the survey with my first block class, seemed like they feel the ipads are best for playing and not learning. Just what I thought after last weeks review session.

Jan. 24- used ipads for review before regents exam, my students last time this year they will use them unless they are with another teacher on the grant. I'm looking forward to the update, so there will be some new apps I can use for Earth Science.

Feb. 15 - New bunch of student so I haven't had time to use the Ipads. Soon hopefully!!!

March 9- Will be using the ipads next week for my earthquake unit.

April 26- The month has flew by, never got to use the Ipads

May 10- Working on Ipad lesson plan; posted it to the web site. My students want to use the Ipads everyday.

May 24- Presented at the Digital Wave conference (how I used iPads in my classroom). It was very interesting, I learned a lot.

June 8 - The end has arrived. Wow, where has the time gone? I truely enjoyed the iPad training and using them with my students. While it is a lot of work to change lessons to incorporate the iPads, it was worth it. The students were engaged and had easier access. It was worth being out of the classroom, even though I was worried about not being in school; but, it all worked out. Thanks to those people who worked so hard to get this grant. I believe it was worth the effort and hard work!!!