Using ipads to collaboratively analyze primary and secondary sources

Parts of this are grayed out for no reason - I can't seem to fix it - there is no reason for parts of this being a lighter text:)


Lesson Description:Students log in to their Edmodo, click a link posted by the teacher, collaboratively analyze primary and secondary sources to complete questions.

Reflection:When the teacher first contacted me, my first thought was to figure out a note-taking app that would promote collaboration.  The teacher and I didn't have a chance to discuss all the details ahead of time.  He had asked if he could check out the ipads and I explained they had to stay in the LMC and work through me.  He was completely ok with that and I knew he had a certain activity he wanted to do. I know I tend to go way over the top at times so this time I decided to  use this opportunity to just go with the flow, observe and see what happens.  I also don't want to intimidate teachers or be too pushy.  I really want to listen to their needs and not feel the need to use every aspect and capability of the ipads.  No reason to stress out myself or anyone else!

encourages collaboration - ease of passing back and forth, highlighting information; students were able to easily share interpretations of documents and images. What one person sees or understands, or finds meaning in, another person may have a different interpretation.

Students able to work more efficiently - rather than mousing and clicking, able to touch for access.  Also, while analyzing documents, ability to enlarge the screen was very useful.


Difficulties:Edmodo app doesn’t work - students have to go to Edmodo website through internet connection. I learned Edmodo needed to be updated and will hopefully work better next time. If they clicked a link through the app, it didn't work, they had to go through the website.
What did I learn?
If students had any downtime they started taking pictures of themselves…

Benefits:
Students will continue to face new technologies, applications, and programs their entire life. Using new technology is always fun but it also provides another experience. Students learn how to problem-solve. The more I work with students on projects involving programs or technology, the more I believe we should let them figure things out. If we constantly create detailed how-to documents, they never gain the confidence of resolving issues. I still have many students who want me to sit with them and tell them exactly what to do and how to work through difficult times. I have learned to ask more questions than give them answers. When they leave our walls, I want them to have confidence in their abilities.

iPad cart is here!

Blue Valley West LMC was among schools in the district selected as a Digital Learning Center.  Each of the librarians were given an iPad at the beginning of the summer and attended a training session.  Our library will house a cart of 30 iPads to integrate into lessons, engage learners, and enhance student learning.

I came in today and discovered the cart is here!  To be perfectly honest, I am excited and terrified all at the same time.  I am excited we are using the same technology as most of our students and as a result, believe this will make us more relevant and credible.

I am also a little nervous.
Top 10 fears:

1. I know a lot of money has been spent and expectations are high
2. I won't use the iPads correctly or to maximum efficiency
3. I will get flustered in front of students and mess up
4. Someone from DO will walk in about the time I am getting flustered and messing up:)
5. Students will accidentally delete someone else's work
6. A student will forget to log out of email or some other app and their information will be accessed
7. Teachers will be hesitant to try something new - they are so pressed to cover a certain amount, they may just want tried and true
8. New technologies and ideas are always a little nerve-wracking
9. A lesson won't work or go the way the teacher and I envisioned and I'll lose credibility with teachers and students
10. I will let someone down

To be clear, I have always liked to worry about things that likely will never happen.  I also believe it is ok to be fearful because it shows a couple of things - one, I don't know it all and two, I will be aware of pitfalls and do what I can to avoid them.

Despite my crazy thoughts I am very excited! We are receiving amazing support and all pressures I am feeling are self-inflicted.  I just need to learn to relax, ask for help and be patient with myself.  I don't have to know everything all the time or have all the pieces in place far in advance.  I also know the powers that be want us to have a positive experience, engage learners and participate in dialogue to ensure success for other schools as these are implemented across the district.

When I first started, not as many students had cell phones and most of those didn't access the internet.  We constantly monitored (wasted time) ensuring students were not on Facebook and YouTube.  Those sites are still blocked for students but now they just go on 3G to access.  In my beginning years, students were not allowed to use personal computers at school, we were afraid of student hackers.  Now, students are encouraged to bring any device and we help them log on.  As we know better, we do better.

I am beginning my 8th year in the district.  I am truly amazed at the changes.  One of the things I love about my job is I am always learning.  Most of the time, students are teaching me and that is ok.  I have had to move away from the mentality of the teacher knowing and directing everything to an ever evolving and constantly changing digital world that necessitates teamwork from administrators, colleagues, and students.  We are all in this together and that is a good thing.