ipods-gelaine-march+2012


 * How do I **** know I have been successful? **

1. Students are reporting on their experience - (2 - 3 students sharing - recorded on video)

video will be attached shortly

2. Students have acquired new technology skills that they had not had previously - please see the 21st century list below Digital Citizenship in grade one, using the ipod touches to learn and reinforce learning was very important, as many have just been simply given this type of technology without instruction. Self direction is key to the use of this technology, within guidelines. This technology was used mainly in Language and Math classes for motivational reinforcement. No matter the subject area of use, students were fully engaged in digital age literacy. Students have definitely been technologically influenced in my grade one class!

3. Students have learned about digital citizenship - please see the digital citizenship list of skills below The students in my grade one class have developed an extremely positive attitude toward using technology that supports learning and productivity. They have also shown interest in taking responsibility using these tools to assist in their own personal lifelong learning.

4. How has my teaching changed? What practices will you continue? The use of ipods in Math and Language instruction has been immensely beneficial as an engaging, differentiation tool for teaching and reinforcing. Those children who, for example, were not understanding addition and subtraction, and/or were not wanting to practice to improve, seemed to substantially change their minds when they found out they could use the ipods to practice! Also, when trying to teach my children “building words” in language class, they were having a challenging time..until they realized they could use Chictionary on the ipods to do this. Then, they seemed to greatly improve this skill! Therefore, I will continue to incorporate technology in my practices, as it triggers student learning. They seem to have the mentality that if we need it to play this game, or pass to the next level, then they went to learn it (authenticity)!

5. What are some best practices? I begin by explaining the rules and consequences for not following the rules. For example, they need to have clean hands, no liquids near by and when I say “hands off”, they must do so, in order to listen to the expectations; otherwise, they will loose the ipods. Also, make sure they use the ipod at all times,that you assign them, so that there is accountability. Essentially, because a lot of their time on the ipods is self lead-discovery learning, it is also integral to cover digital citizenship for use (see lessons in the division shared-digital citizenship-grade 1).

6. Listing what I have learned and what were some of the challenges
 * ** What I have learned ** ||  ** Challenges **  ||
 * Technology is highly authentic in today’s world || Without clear instructions and expectations, technology can also be a useless tool ||
 * Student engagement is high while using technology-of any kind || Technology can also be distracting, if a clear set of rules for listening is not established ||
 * Students teach me about technology uses and I, them || Using the apps for educational purposes, as some are “gimics” ||

7. Personal growth as a learner on an online collaborative environment. Not applicable.

 8. What are some tips for next time users? Make sure that apps are downloaded on all ipods and they are fully charged before using them. Make sure to have clear rules and expectations for safe, responsible use as a digital citizen. Don't be afraid to take away the ipods if students are not following your expectations. Make sure to give them time to explore and discover. Close all the apps that are running before shutting them down.

9. What is your legacy piece? How have you left a digital footprint to let other know about your important work with kids? (Video, digital storytelling, celebrations with parents, inviting senior administration, manual, collaborative place for yourself and your students) I shared on our wiki and with my parents and staff.

 10. Sample lessons - share 2 lessons that you taught using the equipment As mentioned above…I have use the ipods to teach “building words” segments in my language arts curriculum, as it is an essential part of expanding reading skills and solidifying knowledge of words, their components and phonetical awareness. Specifically, the Chictionary app was the most useful for this. I have also use the math apps for our addition and subtraction unit, in order to allow them the engaging time to practice and build upon their number sense skills.

 11. Websites, tools, or apps that you used with your students -Chictionary

-MathTrain

-Math Games

-Arithmetic

-MeeGenius

-Virtuoso piano

12. Other unexpected findings from your project -Reading skills are important for using this technology

 13. Final thoughts about your project.

 14. Would you recommend to use this equipment? Yes, they are a very engaging, authentic teaching and reinforcing tools; particularly in areas that students are not keen to learn.