Bring on the iPads! (Ms. Pastore)

     Today has been a very exciting day in Room 1! After all our careful work to create a positive environment for digital learning, we were finally ready to give it our first go. In our classroom we have spent weeks discussing protocols, answering questions, and building suspense. As a teacher on the brink of introducing iPads, I have been reading articles, watching videos, lesson planning, and meeting regularly with the iPad pilot team. It is relieving and exciting to have reached this point!
     Our first task as a class was to identify a solid set of agreed upon rules for iPad use. After brainstorming a very large list of rules we were able to divide them into two categories and then choose three important rules for each category. As we brainstormed and organized our information we used the app Popplet together on one iPad. I really found it beneficial to use an iPad during this process. It gave me the opportunity to slowly introduce various features the iPad has to offer and exhibited the enhancement of our classroom activities that the iPad can provide.

    We split up into six groups of two or three students and each group was assigned a rule. The groups' tasks were to clearly state their rules with a visual and verbally, then also create a short skit to exemplify their rule. After a day of practice we were ready for the iPads! Mr. Sonnenbery and Mrs. Fromen were kind enough to wheel the iPad cart into our room this morning and begin our first classroom experience with the iPad carts. The students did an EXCELLENT job listening and following along with Mr. Sonnenberg's directions and instructions. They were very careful about removing the iPads from the cart and handling them correctly at their seats.

      After giving them the tools they needed to be successful they were sent off independently to create their own video projects. The level of problem solving and critical thinking that was exhibited was very impressive! It was so nice to see the students filming their skits, then critiquing their work together and discovering new ways to make it better and more successful. They were practicing valuable 21st century skills all disguised as a fun iPad activity. It was so great to observe this deeper level of thinking and share in their successes.

     After they had their final products we went down the LMC to use their wifi and apple TV to teach the students how to upload their videos to a private YouTube channel we had created. Here their videos will be edited and put together into our final video! Below is a sneak peak :)

All in all today was a great learning experience for my students and I! It was about a two hour long process so I am hoping that in the future we will be able to move through the transitions much quicker now that the foundation has been set. I am really looking forward to using the iPads for my everyday instruction to enhance and redefine their learning in ways that have not been possible until now! :)