Since January started I have 7 days where there were no classes, 8 days of delays where I do not see my iPad class and a total of 6 NORMAL DAYS. Looking at that it is no wonder I haven't gotten anything done.
I spent three amazing days at OETC 14 (Ohio educational technology conference) and it was wonderful. Granted not all of the sessions were wonderful, but a majority of them had very useful content. I was able to take 9 pages worth of electronic notes and then a page of ideas that I have moving around in my head. I really needed a secretary to take notes as I was driving home yesterday. My biggest take away from all of the sessions was to allow students to create and explain in order to show their personal understanding AND then I hit reality this morning.
I am in an amazing situation. In our building we have 2 computer labs (not always working), 3 mobile laptop carts, 5 thin client computers in my room and the kids are 1 to 1 with iPads. Every teacher has an iPad and also a laptop. Our laptops are primarily hooked up to the Promethean boards so I know I use my iPad. The fact is even though we have all of this technology at out fingertips, it is not being used. We have some issues with being able to do certain things such as a class twitter account for exit tickets or general information, being able to read educational blogs due to content blocked but these are minor when compared to the bigger issue of... as a school we are not using what we have been given. My 6th grade iPad class met for the 2nd time today. I wanted them to make a presentation of some sort about them. I told them they can even use power point on the iPad (I was desperate) and they don't even know how to open it. By now the kids have had their iPads since August about 20 weeks and they don't know what to do. We are doing a HUGE disservice to kids.
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