Using tech this semester

I know that Ms. Painchaud has been posting blogs about other teachers at Sullivan who are trying new things with tech as a follow-up to the tech grant that she was the catalyst for.  Thank you so much Ms. P for all of your help while I was trying to implement some new ideas using technology in Biology 12 this semester.
I think that the biggest challenge was not knowing if my ideas would work on the classroom scale.  I found that I could try something on my iPad or laptop and it would work and then in the bustle of the classroom with 30 kids trying to produce something there were inevitable problems.  Essentially, the iPads are not meant to be a shared device, and we had many problems with students logging onto apps and not being able to log off.  Scary, when they are then shared with another class the next block, and there is someone's blogger or twitter account ready to be posted from.  Yikes.
We also had problems once the work was completed, not being able to access that work from outside the iPad since the students were not able to email or tweet their work to me.  We all started blogs and were able to post work to our blogs from the iPads (thanks to the open wireless at our school) even as drafts that could be published later.  We also had trouble posting video - and thanks to some help from the students, were able to upload video to our own YouTube channel.  Pretty cool.
I think that the biggest learning experience in this process was to trust the students.  They were very patient and helpful in troubleshooting and problem solving.  Even though not all grade 12 students are digital natives, we were given the opportunity and freedom to create solutions together - collaborating with each other, trying things, failing at things until we found ways to make it work.  It is hard as the teacher not being completely "in charge" of what is happening - things not going to plan, changing on the fly.  It makes it very easy to quit a project or assignment that is not turning out the way that you think that it should or taking way longer than it should to complete because of tech. issues.  But I don't think the failures should be a reason to quit - if we think like scientists, we learn from all of our experiences, and it brings us closer to finding something that will work.  Failures should spur us onward.  If I had tried to work all the bugs out before implementing the iPads in the classroom, I would still be waiting.
Okay - some of the apps that I would recommend:

SHOW ME - it was very cool - I have been using video as assessment, having students explain concepts with manipulatives, white boards etc., and this app takes that to the next level.  You record voice and writing on a white board simultaneously (like that guy with the brown marker).  You need to create an account and these are posted directly online - either public or private with a web address as a link that some students then posted to their blogs.  It was especially good for students who aren't as comfortable in front of the camera - this is just voice and drawing/labelling etc.  Lots of possibilities.

SKITCH - basically drawing/typing over a picture (either taken with iPad or downloaded).  Can also draw shapes and labels on white background (we did RNA/DNA with labels).  The jpeg is then saved to the camera roll of the iPad and we posted them to our blogs.

BLOGGER - a good app that allows students to sign in and out (and is free).  Simple to add posts or drafts and easy to post photos from the camera roll - students with iPhones can use the app and post pictures from labs and classroom activities with a short description really easily.  Students couldn't find a similar free app for android/blackberry.

This is a start, and I am looking forward to trying more creative applications of tech, allowing students to own the process of learning, giving them lots of freedom and opportunities to demonstrate their learning.

Biology 12 Exit Interviews

Biology 12 Exit Interview

Prepare a portfolio of important learning experiences that you have had over the semester.  Choose items and think of times during class when the topic or activity meant something to you – stand out moments for you in Biology.

You should be able to highlight about 5 instances in the semester that are important to your learning and explain how they made a difference to your semester.

Have an outline prepared with the 5 experiences and key points written down to guide your exit interview.  Try and think of “big ideas” of biology (and life) and how this relates to your semester.  

Practice your presentation – this should be student directed and with minimal questioning by me.  It also needs to be fairly short – about 10 minutes, so that I can get through everyone’s interview during 2 blocks (Friday and Monday).

Some guiding questions –

1.    Why did you choose this assignment or event?

2.    Why is it important to you?

3.    How is it different than your other assignments?

4.    What did you realize about yourself – your learning style or abilities?

5.    How will this affect your future?

Based on your presentation, how do you feel your current grade reflects your learning in this class?  In what way do you feel it should change to be a better representation of your learning?

I will prepare a sign-up sheet in class on Tuesday.  Be prepared for your interviewJ