Teaching with the iPad

Using technology in the classroom is an invaluable tool that should be incorporated as much as possible into the 21st century classroom.  There is no denying that our students are interested in technology, be it tablets or gaming devices.  Over the course of my last practicum block, I managed to successfully use several different technologies to create an interactive, fun and inviting classroom.  Of course, we have to be sensitive to the socio-economic differences found in today's classrooms, but if we are careful and smart, technology can be made available to all students.  The first thing I like to do is to hand out an info card to students asking them about their access to technology.  The info card is kept private and does not ask for student's names.  I ask things like, "Do you have internet access at home?", "Do you have a cell phone?", "Would you feel comfortable using tech devices in the classroom?"  Fortunately in the 21st century classroom, most students respond yes to these questions.  For those who do not, I make sure to accommodate for them to participate in things like live polling by passing around an iPad, asking them to share or making sure I am doing my lesson in a computer lab.  One of my favourite tools over the course of my last block was my iPad.  One of my favourite apps is the splashtop whiteboard which allows me to use my iPad as an interactive, wireless, whiteboard.  As soon as the students see me marking up the screen wirelessly, they are instantly intrigued.  Having just finished a unit on WWI, I am upset I only found this app afterwards but cannot wait to use it in my next teaching experience. The app I am talking about is actually a game called "Sky Gamblers" which is a WWI air battle simulation.  I love simulations in the classroom whether they are done using technology or not but I think students would gain a lot of insight into how difficult it was to become an air ace in WWI by playing this game.  

Practicum...Round Two

I am now three weeks into my second practice teaching experience, and so far its been awesome.  I am very lucky to be working with an amazing associate and I am getting tons of support and excellent feedback.  I am teaching two courses that I am absolutely in love with and my students have been producing some really great work.  Practicums are a time to try new things.  I have been so fortunate to be able to use so many amazing technologies in my classroom and I think the students have really enjoyed it as well.  Polleverywhere, what an amazing tool for the classroom.  You put up a question or a statement and students vote or comment (anonymously) allowing you to create an incredible diagnostic assessment in seconds.

These polls were from a Human Rights course discussing the Holocaust and the grade 10 History course from a lesson on propaganda.

Another awesome tool I have started using is Bitstrips, which I blogged about several months ago.  I showed this to my grade 12s and I have never seen a class ask to do an assignment.  They are creating comics based on the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Tomorrow I am going to try my first digital storytelling in the classroom and I hope it goes well.

I cannot believe that tomorrow I will start my final week and then its just two months till I graduate and become a full fledged teacher.  This experience has been truly incredible and I cannot wait to get back into the classroom.