iPods+-+St.+Francis+-+March+2012


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

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

See video.

2. Students have acquired new technology skills that they had not had previously - please see the 21st century list below

Honestly, I'm not really sure if my students received andy new technology skills as a result of this project. Most of my students have had access to iPods in the past. Although, having the iPods in my classroom gave access to students who wouldn't normally have access on a regular basis, and, therefore, put all of the kids on an equal playing field.

3. Students have learned about digital citizenship - please see the digital citizenship list of skills below

Digital citizenship has been worked into St. Francis' Health class curriculum this year. Having the technology in my room helped me to reinforce those ideas that they discussed earlier in the year. Opportunities arose throughout the project that required me to remind the students about behaving like responsible digital citizens. I felt that the use of Edmodo in the classroom really helped curtail any issues that my have arose since students know that I had full access to everything that they post.

4. How has our teaching changed? What practices will you continue?

Not a lot of change, although I will really push to have iPods or iPads in our school. I love the technology and the ease of implementation. So do my students. I will continue to use Google Docs for assessment in my classroom. I will also continue to use Edmodo as a classroom social media platform.

5. What are some best practices?

Using Google Docs (forms) to administer online assessments. Edmodo.

6. Listing what I have learned and what were some of the challenges.

There were not many challenges with the iPods. Generally, they worked very well, they held their charges for a long time and were very easy to handle with the travelling case. I liked the portability of the iPod suitcase compared to the little cart charging station.

There were no Apps on the iPods when they arrived, which I was expecting there would be, and when I went to install previously purchased apps (by previous 3D teachers) there were none available. This was unfortunate, because I thought that I would benefit from the devices being used so many times before me.

7. Personal growth as a learner on an online collaborative environment.

I think I have been fairly forward thinking in my classroom when it comes to online collaboration among my students; however, using the iPods really added an element of portability that I have never had before. I really enjoyed the experience and the students were able to take their learning with them, as opposed to being confined to a computer lab, or a laptop on their desk.

8. What are some tips for next time users?

Don't get hung up on searching for apps to do everything. If your school has implemented a BYOD policy, try to focus on the devices' native apps, as all of the students will have access to these on whatever they bring to school with them.

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 started a website calles [|STF Hub], for St. Francis teachers to use to collaborate on edtech initiatives. We had so many teachers in our building with iPods and iPads in their classrooms that I wanted to continue the sharing after the devices left. This site is my legacy for this project, but will continue to be an important tool for STF teachers for years to come (hopefully).

10. Sample lessons - share 2 lessons that you taught using the equipment

I described two lessons in my video. Essentially I made us of the camera tool on the iPods for my students to create a "public awareness video" in my grade 9 Religion class. The students were to describe how food was produced, where it comes from, and what people shoudl be aware of before purchasing the product. Some students chose to edit their videos right on their iPods, others used the iMacs in my classroom. The second way I used them was mostly as an assessment tool using Google Docs (forms) for students to respond to questions that I have asked them. I embedded the form on my classroom website where students would input their answers. Google Forms immediately organizes all of the data in a spreadsheet and if you run a script called Flubaroo, it will grade the work for you too. Amazing.

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

docs.google.com

12. Other unexpected findings from your project

Everything ran smoothly and efficiently. I did notice that when the students used the iPods for recording video, they had to hold them in a specific way for the video to be orientated correctly on a computer after importing.

13. Final thoughts about your project.

Thank you very much, it's been a pleasure. See you again next year! Maybe we could add Chromebooks to the project next year? I'd love to pilot those.  <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">14. Would you recommend to use this equipment?

Yes