Teachers Tell Their Story - Episode 2

Mr. Rodal began using Evernote after a December 11, 2012 Lunch N' Learn.  After five months of using the tool for his online database, he explains a number of reasons for his success that may encourage other teachers to implement Evernote into their classroom learning environment.

Google Form For Math Assessment

I tried something slightly different yesterday.  I had the students complete a paper copy of their math quiz.  After their quiz was completed, I allowed them to access a Google form that presented the math quiz in digital format.  This format contained places to enter their answers.

I felt that with this group of students, having the iPad present while they completed the test was a distraction.  Having all the focus on the assessment followed by students entering their answers digitally allowed for more concentration.

The process still allowed me to gather data so that I can see through numerous data sheets the level of understanding and direction for reteaching.
 

Integrating Technology, Group Work, Individual Work

Once again, implementing tech at the right time is crucial.  Today our lesson was displayed in depth for the students to follow.

Items In Today's Lesson:

• Group Work
• Individual Work
• Google Forms (for submitting homework scores)
• Contextual Problems
• Drill & Practice
• Choice
• Web 2.0 - GoSoapBox.com
• Graphing Calculator
• Blogging

See It:

Is This iPad Thing Really Working?

What I know!  I know this technology, iPad thing is engaging students at an all time high.  So many videos that are in my blog are students completely involved in the educational setting.  Maybe it's just the great students I have.  Maybe it's just the great room I have.  Maybe it's just the great furniture I was given.  I doubt it!  The iPad is a living, breathing, interactive tool that requires, yes, I said requires, your attention!  This I know!

What I don't know!  Is the iPad really helping students learn?  Is it helping them to MASTER standards and concepts that the state says they should know?  Is it moving them ahead of students who do NOT have a digital tool in their hands every hour of every day?

Where I am going!  We are planning a meeting with the five model classroom teachers to discuss this very thing.  It will occur during the first week in February.  How do we assess to prove that a digital device improves the ability of a student to learn.  I look forward to discussing this attempt to prove and will obviously present process and findings!

gosoapbox.com In Our 8th Grade Classroom

Tools:
iPad2
gosoapbox.com
ReelDirector (to create the video)

iOS 5 - Picture Upgrades - More Efficient Classroom

In the old days, I would spend a great deal of time and energy standing at the board and showing how all problems in math were to be completed.  One would think this would be effective, but it really wasn't.

Fast forward to the use of iPads and a classroom blog and a new way to discuss the problem has emerged.

Take a picture of students' work and quickly email it to our blog.  Show the pictures of students' steps to complete the problem and ask if people agree?  If not, they will ultimately explain what parts of the problem they do not like and the discussion begins.

Students have expressed multiple times that they like this process and all too often students will volunteer their work for discussion.

In the past, I have used the Genius Scan app as it allowed for cropping and fixing of the picture.  Unfortunately, it is not a native iPad app.  It is  iPod first.

Two days ago, I upgraded to iOS 5 and noticed the editing features when a photo was viewed. The edit button reveals the options on the bottom of this picture.

AWESOME!!!

It truly helps in eliminating excess paper or board space that might be associated with students' work.
Photo that was not edited - there is a ton of white space that should be eliminated!
Photo that has been edited!

BIG WIN for efficiency in the classroom!

I encourage you to try this practice.  Set up your classroom blog to receive mobile posts.  Use an iDevice to take the picture and whisk the picture off to your blog for discussion!

Google Docs - Submit Homework

I have tried so many ways to record scores from math homework.  The process that I use now has been very efficient.  I place the answers on our textbook SMARTboard notebook software.  I operate the SMARTboard using my iPad2 and the SPLASHtop app.  I collect the student's score after they correct it by having them enter the information in a Google Form called Homework Submit.  To help with authenticity, I click the "Require sign in"

After data is collected and after the school day, I use my iPad2 to view the inputted data and place it into the grade book which is located on my laptop.

Sounds confusing?  But productive!