Camille iPod project Winter 2012

1. Camille iPod project Winter 2012 Tim Brehaut Collette Groenen Rachel Hollman

2. Highlights from the Video • Students liked: • Technology they understood, at their fingertips • Discovering that games could be educational, AND fun! • The “treat” it was to use the iPods • Students Disliked: • The amount of “free apps”, as they impeded use • Only getting to use them every once in awhile, and not always having access • Not every iPod was automatically connected to the network, and took time to do so every class.

3. What Changes Have We Experienced? • Started with the idea that the iPods would HELP us teach through the apps we chose. • Discovered that the search for appropriate and applicable apps was not as easy as we had hoped. • Moved to the use of iPods as more of a remedial and challenge support rather than a curriculum aid. • Apps such as Edmodo, Socrative, Calculators, dictionaries, etc., are more effective in the classroom than ‘teaching apps’ • Became more of a tool for management and learning, rather than curriculum support. • In the future, we will continue with this mindset with the use of any technology we apply to our teaching.

4. Best Practices • Use the ipods as a “treat” so that they don’t become “old” OR • have them all the time – student owned devices • Ensure students know their own numbers • Devices stay on tables, turn them over when “teaching”

5. Challenges • Charging all 40 iPods at the same time – connections weren’t always correct • Syncing – took time which wasn’t always scheduled into the day • Locating appropriate, effective apps • Getting stuff off the iPods (how to hand it in) • Certain apps allow for email, though our division doesn’t • Restrictions on the internet – can’t email off an iPod – students would do work on iPod and struggled to hand it in • Not great for a creation tool • Sharing – fighting to use them (among staff!) • Keeping the iPods labeled – should be engraved • School email rejected audio files therefore many students lost playing tests

6. Benefits • Students were 100% engaged • Students who would otherwise “float” in class became a contributor • Students could work at their level • Students chose different apps with same skill development • Great videos that students could watch as many times as necessary for comprehension • Less stress for Band exams – recorded exam at home and handed it in • Student access to Edmodo aided in “reluctant learners” handing in work! • Streamlined the process of some projects – video, upload, done – focus more on learning and outcomes and less on the technology • Students now take initiative in their own learning (finding apps) • Students share their findings with each other – excited about learning • Excited about teaching – brought energy into the staffroom

7. Personal Growth as a Learner • Realization of all the educational apps available • Began to look in different places for inspiration • Technology side – how to sync, charge etc • Encouraged collaboration with other teachers

8. Tips for Next Users • ***Schedule time to sync • Get a list of apps from students, staff and friends • Use PLNs to research apps • Access list of previously downloaded apps from board office • Consider the collection of data/projects/assignments prior to assigning it • Work out a method of recording assignments prior to assigning it • Ask for paid apps list (and descriptions) for that account • Be flexible