Tweet Prompt

Our first in-class tweetup consisted of small groups being instructed on their first tweet prompt.

All students in our class completed each statement.  Students were excited to see the real time communication tool in action.  We also worked at hashtagging items.  We have decided that while #pcmswhatilearned is nice and concise, it is quite lengthy.  A student asked if #pcmswil would work.  Standing for pcmsWhatILiked.  The other students agreed that this would be positive.  At the end of the year, we hope to have a TWEET CELEBRATION of things we learned.  

See the set up below...

Could I be using something other than Twitter?  Possibly,
But the positives are...
1.  It allows for instant messaging so to speak.
2.  Students loved seeing other people's responses.
3.  All responses need to be concise and to the point as only 140 characters are allowed.
4.  Much quicker than a full blog post.
5.  For me, as a teacher, evaluating them is all in one, easy, online place.
6.  Parents can see their child's thought process and articulation of the concept.
7.  Mobile version of Twitter on the iPad works very well!

Overall, the opportunity to have small groups to explain Twitter and how it works followed by an actual tweet prompt was a positive learning situation for our students.

Number Line App

After our homework required us to solve problems with the inequality signs, <  >, students completed a warm up activity with the Number Line App.

Algebra Writing Prompt To Start Class

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!

Noterize Eliminates 75 Sheets of Paper

On our second attempt at using the Noterize App proceeded much better than the first.  Out of 26 students three had the Noterize App not work correctly on the iPad2.  We tried numerous fixes; it still didn't work.  Now, to be fair, it could have been our Google Apps for Education or the iPad2 itself.

Overall, the app worked well.  We posted our pictures on to our professional blogs.

Splashtop App

This was the first tech item, Splashtop App, that allowed me to use the SMARTboard but not have my back to the students.  It was very cool.  Sorry the video is on its side...first time using phone and posting to Youtube.

Crack The Code App For Logical Thinking

Introducing patterns and rules for algebra today, we had the students use Crackthe Code App to develop the logical thinking in which it takes to solve that app and those puzzles and then applied it to our algebraic
lesson.

Tactilis App - Student Uses

Parent Teacher Conference & Technology

Two sets of parents were willing to be recorded while using or talking about technology.

Their experiences were outstanding!

And as I explained to over 20 parents last night, we always have an open invitation for parents to attend our school and classroom.  In 20 years of teaching, less than five parents have come to my classroom to visit.  I explained our YouTube channel, I stressed that if "you can't come to our class, we'll bring the class to you!"  Reminds me of the great speech by our Super Bowl Champion GB Packers below...



While discussing our house YouTube channel, a family stated that they were in Chicago (our school is 250 miles from Chi-Town!) this past weekend and the daughter showed her grandma, aunt, and uncle the YouTube channel.  Of course, she is on many of the video clips as many students are.  Hear the student and parents tell the story...




In another tech teaching moment, a Wall Street 2 Wisconsin student explains to his parents what a "stop order" is and how it plays into an exit strategy.  Our students know a great deal...it ROCKS that they can explain what we are doing in our classes to their parents.

Reading Parts of a Chapter of a Book and Using Google Docs

Reading a book's chapter in our Wall Street class worked quite well.  Students read a section of the chapter and then summarized it on a Google Doc that was shared among all the students.  Students were then asked to correct grammar and punctuation.

The most positive of this activity was that all were engaged in reading and then summarizing the chapter at all times.  I would strongly suggest this as a reading activity!!!