SS_Kevin

I think, in general, students were attracted to any assignment that utilized the iPads just because the iPads are cool. After the honeymoon phase ended, students still enjoyed using them and this effect carried over as anything we used the iPads for was thus, by default, more interesting.
 * Goal: Improving student engagement so as to foster better learning**

I had many students request to use the iPads even on days which we were not. In terms of assignments, I found that the assignments we completed exclusively on the iPads were completed more often only on shorter assignments spanning only one class period (a War of 1812 web quest was completed by almost everyone, while a longer term project lost a few students along the way).
 * Evidence of student engagement: time on task, attendance, tardies, completion of assignments, attentiveness, requests for the use of the iPad**

I found that whenever the students had the iPads and I would need their attention as a class I would oftentimes have to instruct them to close the iPad with the case so that they aren't tempted to tune me out and play games. Sometimes students would be goofing out when assigned to a real task, but this wasn't any more likely than usual, as the iPads had just replaced their other distracting device (phone, iPod, etc).
 * Evidence of distraction of the technology: how often to remind them to stay on task, comments about liking a laptop better**

I had some students that wished to use a laptop instead of an iPad, mainly when something needed to be typed (they kind of hated the virtual keyboard).

I found that it was best to use iPads to replace any student in class reading or anything along those lines. I oftentimes made webquest on my website (www.askmrphillips.com) that were perfect for the iPad. In addition, when the students were asked to create an original product or conduct research on their own, they really excelled in terms of using the iPad to its full potential.
 * Best strategy/ies for iPad use.**

The experience was positive, and I do missing having the iPad as a valuable and exciting learning tool. The students were sad to see them go.
 * Wrap-up: final observation on the value of the experience, student attitudes, any changes since you don't have the iPads anymore.**

I think teachers would need extensive training in terms of how to download apps and how to use the iPads in terms of not only best practices, but how to use its interactiveness and portability effectively (instead of just replacing computer labs).
 * And finally, if APS were going in the direction of iPads 1:1, what are your recommendations for PD?**