How are we Improving Skills with iPads

FFSS phys-ed department is collecting info to see if our use of iPads in classes is helping students improve.  

Sounds simple, but we’ve been through about 4 different versions of a checklist to collect data.  

Version one  is  what we’ve used historically to allow kids to assess each other.  Then we added the questions to get students to understand exactly how to improve.   But it doesn’t tell us how iPads helped.

Version #3 attempts to get info about how students benefit from iPad use.  It worked well in dance.

 

We still needed to change it for specific sport skills.

Students should be able to, not only watch themselves & see if that alone helps them improve, but also have a chance to analyze their skills (through apps such as Coach’s Eye) & then apply the feedback they get through practice.  Then they can watch a final version of themselves & even compare their first attempts to the final performances. So this is where we are with our data collection!

Pre-ipad/feedback on Success Criteria Post-iPad/feedback on Success Criteria

Before watching any videos Do I think I am doing the following…	Skill:__________________ Success Criteria	After simply watching video Did I actually do what I thought I was doing…	After analyzing video with partner, peer tutor, teacher & using feedback Did I improve …
Yes           No		Yes         No	Yes            No
Yes           No		Yes          No	Yes            No
Yes           No		Yes          No	Yes            No
Yes           No		Yes          No	Yes            No
Yes           No		Yes          No	Yes            No
Yes           No		Yes          No	Yes            No

Did I improve after using the iPad?

Yes                       No

Explain how: ___________________________________________________________________________

Struggling with Digital Submissions...actually getting them I mean

This year has been a wonderful year of learning.  I have gone from a teacher afraid of Google Drive to a teacher who uses it a lot for sharing and storing information.  I have gone from being an Apple newbie to feeling naked without my iPad.  I have gone from a teacher who didn't even know Explain Everything (EE) existed to a teacher who appreciates the powerful impact it has on the learning experience for the students.  Throughout it all, however, there is a constant, underlying struggle or barrier to feeling completely successful in this technology inquiry.

Students are using the minis to generate EE projects but, the process more often then not, seems to stop short there.  During the creation, I witness first hand the learning.  When we share our efforts using the Reflector program  I am always impressed.  But, I am seeking greater success in being able to receive digital submissions for evaluation and feedback.  

The students all have their own "Hand In" folders.  The intent is for students to place their files into this folder when they were handing something in.  It makes sense, but it doesn't happen.  Students are indicating it has been "Handed In" so what could be happening?

Possibility #1 (Which I previously blogged about)

When saved into google drive, students haven't ensured they are logged on to their own account.  The file is saved but into a place they cannot regularly access.  Are they still forgetting to do this?

Possibility #2

If there isn't a file already in the "Hand In" folder, when using a mini it is not possible to save into that folder.  Students thought they were saving into the appropriate folder but ultimately they were not saving at all.  I could have solved this problem by booking into the computer lab and having students save something, anything, into the folder but I just created a google doc and saved it where necessary. This really isn't a problem anymore.

Possibility #3

The EE project is there, I just don't recognize it because of the way it was named.  Solution: be very specific about the name students need to use when saving their files and having them also include the names of all students who shared in it's creation.  Looking at the"Last Modified" date can also be helpful.

So why, when students are instructed to hand in their files, when I check, they are not there?  What am I missing? What do I need to do differently?

I think part of the issue is that when a student hands in a project I am not able to check right away for submission.  There is a delay before it "shows up" in the folder.  With hard copy submission, it is physically in my hand or it isn't; I can easily know, as we all do, before the student leaves, whether or not I have their work.

The struggle continues.  I do and will continue to battle on because on the occasions that I am able to evaluate and offer feedback it is awesome!  I dictate my feedback directly onto the EE project and share it back with the students. Cool!!! (If only I could do this in my comfy chair at home instead of requiring the high speed internet available at school.)

Suggestions welcome!!!!

Keeping kids active….using Ipads (by: Donna Hannivan-Taylor)

Proper exercise technique

My peer tutor & I videotaped students doing various exercises, plus she took some of me doing the exercises.--incorrectly.  The next day their ‘minds on’ & warm up included watching these videos & analyzing each exercise for performance points.

The challenge was to keep the momentum going so they would spend only 2-3 minutes sitting and watching, then move on to the next station of warm up exercises (8 – 10 min. total).  I just logged into my Google drive account and let them watch videos on there.  I’m trying to figure out if I can place videos from Google drive back onto Ipads without losing them from Google drive.

I-Pads in the Weight Room

The I-pads have been an excellent tool for providing descriptive feedback to our Physical Education classes at FFSS.  Most recently, students took short videos of PPL2OM students performing exercises in the weight room.  Using posted success criteria, the students then analyzed their technique and were given one or two suggested areas for improvement.  Students could also read the steps to performing the exercise properly, using the Full Fitness HD App.  The App also displays pictures of the exercise and lists the primary muscle used and additional muscles used.  If anyone has experience with the Ubersense App, please let me know.  We would like to be able to compare a student's technique to a properly executed technique.