Science_Jason


 * Goal:** I had one main goal for the iPads and that was to create online tutorials for each lesson, lab and activity.


 * Getting started:** I would like to think that I had a routine for using the iPads, but I didn't. It was an extreme learning process for both I and the students, but fortunately I have been blessed with some great kids who were eager to try, incredibly creative and were highly inquisitive. Their positive attitude overcame any breaks in the routine. Of course I had an initial tutorial of how they work, set-up, maintenance and all around care for the iPads, but each new app required a new approach. This may come across as somewhat frustrating, but it actually made the class more exciting. We were constantly trying new apps and different ways to use them which was a challenge, but never monotonous or predictable. Unfortunatley, when I had the iPads I was learning how to use at the same time as the students. I was a tad bit apprehensive of using the for the entire class. Being more comfortable with them now, and having accumulated a variety of uses, if I had them now, I would start each period with the iPads on and essentially leave them on for the entire period.


 * Evidence of student work:** Most of the evidence of work is located on the various Educreate and Showme videos that the students create throughout the quarter. There were also several labs that were created using the iPads that were sent through Weblockers.


 * Evidence of distraction** The iPads were not as nearly as distracting as I suspected they would be. As long as the lesson was focused and there was a time restraint, many of the students did not have time to meander from the lessons path. There were occasions when the students had to refocused, but no more that any other in-class tool.


 * Best projects and apps that you used and the students used.** I found Educreate to be a very useful tool for making videos and in-class instructions. It was easy to access and terrible easy to use. In fact, I let the kids figure it out for they were clearly more computer savvy than I, and they were creating tutorials in minutes.

The video presentations was an extremely useful tool to allow the students to learn at a much deeper understanding. By forcing them to create videos in a new medium, students were excited to learn.
 * Wrap-up: final observation:** I found the iPads to be extremely useful tool. They were constantly being used for simple information gathering which elevated many of the discussions. It also allowed the students to find answers, go in new directions and create new ideas at an extremely high rate.