Are there any 1:1 ipad schools? Are there any 1:1 ipad schools receiving grants to fund implementation? Are there any 1:1 ipad schools where implementation is significantly increasing student learning?
I am equally intrigued as I am skeptical. You see, I spent time as a teacher in a school in Nevada where a 1:1 MacBook initiative was rolled out to the Freshman class my last year there. I taught Computer Science and knew the initiative would immediately create new, unique, and exciting learning opportunities for this group of students. Do ipads do the same? Do they do it bettet?
I am more than happy to do some work and tech training with a teacher on a trial basis, but I have no idea where to start. Besides asking my principal to shell out $15k to supply a classroom with ipads, do I have other options at the state or federal level? Or even private grants? What about Perkins? As you can see, I have lots of questions and few answers on this topic. Anybody have advice?
Now, I acknowledge that I lack a few creative bones in my body and am barely original. However, I'd like to think my hashtag is fairly self explanatory and should be easy to follow. If you happen by chance to be the other person (besides myself of course) following this hashtag, you can expect to read some pretty excellent daily musings, most educational in nature.
Contrary to popular belief, I do perform a bit of research prior to jumping into things of this nature. I don't want to be that, guy that just created the 2,096,521st "Tweet of the Day" for education. Much to my surprise, I found nobody else providing something of the like. Well, guess I am a bit original today. Up, up, and away with Mr. Dooley's Tweet (s) of the Day!
I think so highly of the software that we provided it to all three campus supervisors on older Palm handheld devices. They use it to deliver student notices, check attendance/truancy records, learn student names/pictures, and the like. This software has given us all the ability to have the majority of our student data management system on the go. I have absolutely no complaints thus far, and am looking forward to expanding its' use elsewhere on campus (as well as connecting through an Infinite Campus back door - I currently have to download Ad Hoc reports if I want updated info, my only minor issue).
Lastly, it is important to make a note that the data is secure, even on my smartphone. It is password protected, and it is setup to wipe the data at the third incorrect password attempt. There are some additional security features but I never plan on letting my phone out of my view.
If you are an administrator looking at the software as an option for your campus, feel free to ask questions...
So I've been away from blogging, tweeting, and everything else associated with #Edchat in well over a year and a half...
I've come to realize that my Assistant Principal job is quite demanding, but have also realized that I need to have more balance in my professional life. I have not been taking the time to reflect upon my philosophy and practice, and promise to begin looking more closely at how I am positively influencing my students. I look forward to being back on the cutting edge of technology, bringing what's useful to the front doors of my school...
Just thought I would share a hilarious video about the "Top 10 Things You Don't Learn About Teaching in College."
Enjoy!
