padlet.com with all devices

In my plan I had stated that I wanted to use the iPads as engagement/consolidation tools. One site that I have been using a lot is padlet.com. Good news, this site (not an app) is free, and is accessible on all devices as well. I've set it up by getting an account for myself (free) and then pre-setting up some of the wall for use.

For example, when doing a Think-Pair-Share, students will have the iPads in front of them for the "share", use the qrcode scanner app (free) and then be navigated to the site. They then share their work and I encourage other students to expand upon each other's posts/notes (see ionic vs. covalent TPS wall). They can post images or graphics. I'll have the 'wall' loaded on my classroom computer and have the digital projector displaying the wall. Since I have an account and created the wall, I can edit, reposition or remove posts made on the wall.

I did a consolidation/check-in where students posted their "I feel..."s and "I need..."s after the second day of mass to mole to particle conversions. It was really just a glorified ticket out of class, but I think it was good because it was anonymous and students out loud stated that they were relieved that they saw others were struggling with grasping the content. As a teacher, it was great to be able to visually scan the notes and see where people were. Some students posted more than one comment which was good. I often struggled to get students to even post one post-it note on ticket out of class activities.

Examples:
I vs. C Share:
http://padlet.com/wall/ip22fbi0b0
I feel.../I need...
http://padlet.com/wall/nwmxrbhtv8

Explain Everything in Action!

Students had a lot fun with the camera/video tool in
Explain Everything.

I had a fantastic time working with Kathryn Murray's grade 6/7 class using Explain Everything (EE) on her mini iPads. After 5 minutes of initial playtime in EE, students were able to share their findings on what each tool did. Very quickly, they were becoming the experts on the tool. With exploring the tools even further, the students were able to provide examples of how and when this app would be useful.

The software, AirServer, was used for
students to share their screen on the SmartBoard.
 

Taking the tool to the next level, we explored how Siri can be used in EE and how to export final products into their Google Drive accounts and share their video with others.

To finish the lesson, students worked in pairs and used EE to share their summaries of articles in a special Remembrance Day newspaper. When they are done, they will export their videos into their Google Drive account and then share it with their teacher.

Thank you Kathryn for inviting me to spend the morning with your class and giving me the opportunity to help your students learn all about my favourite app!

Wow!  Intense learning for me...the students seem fine!
Watch out!  Sometimes home screen with iPad number disappears!  We learned we needed to put iPad number on back of mini!  We did this with masking tape.  Panic over!

Fun time just with native features.  Sometimes kids are so distracted by applications, it was amazing to see all we could do without one application downloaded.  They listened to SIRI, Google mapped - 3-D, made videos and blogged about a video.

First download was MyScriptCalculator.  Really helpful with Grade 7 BEDMAS questions.  They did questions by hand, inputted on Calculator and compared answers. Fast way to get exponents and operation signs in!  Lots of student thinking as they had to figure out why the answer was different!  High level of student engagement in solving math problems!  Hehehehe!

Finally on day 5 we looked at Explain Everything.  Almost too many options for students to grasp in one go! Lots of menu options.  We really looked at how to take pictures and videos and move them into Google Docs.

E-Portfolio

I spent today working in Julie McColl's classroom. We've been working on E portfolios. Students are able to create learning goals tied to the learning skills as well as highlight various tasks they have completed in the classroom. Students are then using this portfolio to present to parents about the learning that is taking place in their classroom at parent teacher interviews. The E portfolio we chose to use is available through Desire To Learn, the provincial learning management system. 

Charades/Heads Up

If you have ever played Head Banz, or Heads Up (as seen on Ellen) you will love this free app. ($0.99 if you want it without adds). Cherades.  You hold the tablet to your forehead facing out, your partner gives you clues to say the word. Tilt the tablet up over your head if you pass and down to your lap if you guess the word.  See how many you can do in a certain amount of time.  I haven't even got to the cool part.  The very last category folder is Custom...now your options are endless.

I have been trying to play this game with my grade 4s using cards with names of quadrilaterals...no more cards!  I will also use it to practice mental math; put in the answer and the clue needs to be addition questions, or subtraction, or multiplication..you get the idea.

Screen Shots

I'm in the process of creating a couple of worksheets for my students and have found the screen shot tool very useful - so I'm passing the info on to all of you who are using iPads or iPad minis.

Go to the screen that you want.  Press the power key (at the top of the iPad) at the same time as the home/menu key (bottom front of iPad).  The screen should flash.  Your screen shot is complete!  EASY!  The photo will be stored in the cameral roll.  You can then email it to your PC/laptop or upload it directly to a Google Drive document :)

Have fun :)
Sheri

Ipads mini

Looking forward to using in my classroom!