SS_Cathleen

Here's some suggestions for organizing your thoughts. Delete any idea starters you don't want and feel free to add any relevant areas.

Goal: Improving student engagement so as to foster better learning

I think it was really hard for me to get going. I got them in 3rd quarter, which turns out to have been a really bad idea. One of my cllasses had an IA due, and really didn't focus on anything else. I tried to have them use the iPads to find thier articles, but many just ended up playing. I think if i did this again, i would really need to sit down and preplan.
 * Getting started: how were you prepared, how did you prepare yourself, how did you prepare your students**

In terms of prepping the kids, i really didn't Before I let them come up and get thier number the first time, we went over the ground rules (dont change the settings, putting it back int he cart neatly, etc. and i went over what we were going to do (using my iPad on the smartboard so they could see the basic interface and what the icons looked like) but then I basically set them loose. The one comment I kept repeating is that is that they need to figure it out, and if they're stuck, find a buddy who isn't. Since I was a little unsure of how to solve some of the more unusual questions, it really forced the kid experts to step up.

The one time this was really an issue was using excel (numbers?) to create charts using a set of raw data and analyse. Many felt like a mouse would have been really helpful, because there was a fair amount of pinching and pullingt o get it large enough to hit the right spot on the controls.
 * Evidence of distraction of the technology: how often to remind them to stay on task, comments about liking a laptop better**

I think the iPads did have value and were useful. I don't think I implemented in a terribly effective way, however, and this limited the effectiveness as a tool. Most of the students just saw it as a tool (and occasionally a game) and it wasnt as big a deal for them as me. A few actually challenged thier use -- "isn't this just a way to play with a new toy?" and led to a few interesting discussions. There were no lasting effects positive or negative on the kids that i could see.
 * Wrap-up: final observation on the value of the experience, student attitudes, any changes since you don't have the iPads anymore.**

PAIRING and teacher teaming. I fell like i KNEW the options, but was reallyunsure in my own mind how it would play out in th eroom. I would have loved to have gone to another classroom and watched someone who was using them fully engage the class. I would also have loved some one helping me implement the first few ideas, until I felt more comfortable. PD on this is going to have to be more practical, more personal, and more real situation oriented. Sitting in a room hearing about things was great, until I actually had to do it on my own, and then I stalled out.
 * And finally, if APS were going in the direction of iPads 1:1, what are your recommendations for PD?**

I also think several issues will need to be addressed. Textbooks and APS policy of FORCING them to go through blackboard is ill conceived and impractical, esp. in light of the direction we are heaading. Also, I think it might be wise to start pushing them out to teachers as productivity devices, to build teacher buy in. This means that attendance and gradebooks will have to be adjusted. This IS possible, and happening in many places. I think our company will be headin that way soon, or they will go out of business.