iPad Keyboard

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC184

The Right Technology May Be a Pencil

The Right Technology May Be a Pencil  

Mary Beth Hertz (@mbteach on Twitter) is an elementary computer teacher in Philadelphia, PA and a regular blogger on Edutopia. You can read more of her work on her own blog at Philly-teacher.

As a tech integration specialist and a computer lab teacher, one can imagine that I have a special place in my heart for bringing current technologies into the classroom. At the same time, I find that sometimes pencil and paper do just as good of a job.

It's important to remember that sometimes just because we have access to new technologies does not mean that older technologies won't suffice. Too often we get so excited by the fancy gadgets that we have access to that we forget that sometimes a pencil and paper will suffice.

For example, my friend Karen McMillan teaches blogging with her middle schoolers by having them write using pencil and paper first. Karen has her students write paper blog posts and then has them leave comments in analog format in preparation for their "real" blogging experiences using Google Sites. As Karen told me on Twitter, "It helps them visualize blogging in a medium that they are more comfortable with. Plus... it's fun!"

In my lab, students receive a folder for each project with a project overview, rubric and templates. Technically I could host all of that online, but when managing a project, having the paper there really is just more functional and effective. Perhaps if I was in a 1:1 setting things might be different, but with 45 minutes twice a week, paper is just the easiest way to share an make information easily accessible. In addition, I often have students plan their ideas out on paper before they attempt it on the computer. Often, when transferring skills, this makes it easier for students to successfully complete a complex project.

Paper and pencil also lends itself to exit slips, as Jen Roberts suggested to me on Twitter. While I sometimes have the exit ticket completed online, I also use checklists as a form of exit ticket. Other teachers in my building use exit tickets to quickly assess who feels comfortable with the material from the class period or from a particular lesson. Sometimes, too, having students fill out a paper and pencil Venn Diagram to compare and contrast and then discuss a topic is powerful and requires only the technologies of pencil and paper.

This is important to remember: At one time, pencils and paper were a kind of technology. My friend John Spencer's brilliantly funny and poignant book, Pencil Me In, follows that trajectory. His main character is a "pencil integrator" and is working hard to give his students access to this new technology, often to the chagrin of his colleagues. Through this metaphor, Spencer describes the journey that Tom takes and how he discovers that as much as he loves the bright and shiny new pencils, sometimes chalk slates do the trick just fine.

It is not so much about the tool and what it can do, but more about the purpose for using the tool. Obviously, if students want to share pictures of a project they are working on, a digital camera and a blog make a lot more sense than a flipbook. Still, don't count out older technologies just because you are trying to be a "21st Century Educator." Sometimes a dry erase marker and a wipe-off slate will do the job just fine.

Laptop Information

If our school were to purchase a new set of laptops next year, Mr. Billings has confirmed that we would purchase the MacBook Pro with an adjusted price of $1,120.00 per laptop. 

Please see the link below for more specific information.
http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

iPad Information

If our school were to purchase a new set of iPads next year, Mr. Billings has confirmed that we would purchase the iPad 2 which has wi-fi capability.  The price is $399.00 per iPad.  

We would also purchase a "Smart Cover" for each iPad, which each start at $39.00.

Last of all, we would look into getting keyboards, but it is not guaranteed.  Total price = $69.00

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC184



Please see the link below for more specific information.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/

iPad Educational Apps

http://www.apple.com/ipad/from-the-app-store/education.html

Classroom Conundrum

http://www.pcworld.com/article/230850/classroom_conundrum_take_one_tablet_one_laptop_or_both.html

Five Tech Myths (Scholastic Article)

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/top-five-tech-myths

iPads in Class (Scholastic Article)

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3755865

Education Week: Educators Evaluate Learning Benefits of iPad

http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2011/06/15/03mobile.h04.html

Reading Teacher Journal Article

Advantages and Considerations of Using iPads for Literacy Instruction

Helpful Aspects of iPads for Instruction	Special Considerations for using iPads in Instruction
Students were able to apply their prior knowledge of other digital literacy tools to figure out how to navigate the iPad without a lot of instruction from the teacher.	Manipulation was difficult within some of the apps. For example, it was sometimes difficult to resize text and images.
When they encountered problems, students worked collaboratively to figure out how to navigate the iPad. This collaboration led to increased and improved conversations about the assignments during the learning experiences.	The teacher had to rethink how she wanted students to save and share their work.  Though not difficult, the teacher had to adjust to a new way of receiving and reviewing student work.
The availability of many different apps, as well as the many features of each app, made it easy to differentiate assignments for students.	The sensitive touch screen caused students to engage functions unintentionally. For example, a student accidentally engaged the highlighting function in iBooks when using his finger to track along with the text he was reading.
iPads power on and off quickly, so it was quick and easy to restart iPads when needed without disrupting the learning experience.	As with any digital technology, teachers had to troubleshoot at times. This reality required the teacher to have a willingness to explore the potential causes of problems that arose.
Because individual apps perform specific functions, and because iPads are easily stored in student desks, it was common for the teacher to spontaneously think of ways to integrate the iPads.	Creating word documents is possible, but the apps that make it possible have limited features. For example, there is no app that allows the user to track changes within a document.
The iPad can be programmed to display in many different languages.	Many iPad apps do not allow the user to edit work once it has been saved.

Writing- Is it ethical to eat meat? (NY Times)

NY Times The Learning Network

Example responses:

I think it is okay to eat meat. Yes I do eat meat, and I think that the way people obtain meat is fine. If people do not want to eat meat I have nothing against what they may believe. I do know some people who are vegetarians or vegans. Meat is important because it is very high in protein, but there are many other foods that also have protein, for those who may not eat meat.
— Faith B

I think it is fine to eat meat. Although I don’t agree with processed meat… I don’t know if i could use McDonalds as an example but they use the processed pink slime which to me sounds disgusting so I’m never going to eat food at McDonalds again. I do know people that are vegetarians. I think having meat in your diet is much more healthy than not. It gives you the nutrients necessary where as vegetarians take vitamins to get those nutrients.
— Tristan M

Yes, I kinda do think it’s okay. Yes, I do eat meat. Yes, there should be because they do some things that are cruel to them. No, I don’t really think I do. I really think that people would be better off without it because they would have a more healthy diet. I would say, “I like meat, but I also like other things, and people would really be better without meat. Then again well, we do need a little meat not a whole lot though.”
— Shanta

Writing-Hair Loss

If you are losing your hair, you are losing your social life. Get it back with HAIR RETURN. Comb Hair Return through your hair each morning and in 7 days you will have a full head of hair. Guaranteed!

Writing-Political Ad

Marguerite Evans will look out for the family farms. No one will be left out in the cold. She will bring many federal projects and many jobs to the area. Vote for Marguerite Evans for Governor and you’ll get a better future.

Writing-Swordfish

Americans are hooked on swordfish! But last month 27 top restaurant chefs took them off the menu.
Why? The number of swordfish is shrinking fast, and chefs want to save the tasty fish. During the 1960s, fishermen switched from using harpoons to using long lines with hundreds of hooks. Result: many more small swordfish are caught. The small fish never get a chance to grow and produce more fish.
Lisa Speer, an environmentalist, says it's time to give swordfish a break "so future generations can enjoy them."

Writing-Helmet Laws

Helmet laws are meant to save kids from the
  head injuries caused by bike accidents. Unlike a
  bruise or a scrape, a head injury can take many
  years to heal. A serious head injury can kill you.
  Simon Crider, 11, knows how important a
  helmet can be. Two years ago, he was riding his
  bike near his house in Gainesville, Florida,
  when he hit a rock and fell. His helmet cracked
  when he hit the ground, but it protected his
  head.

Baby Ruth Candy Ad

Baby Ruth Print Ad

Hunger Games Poster

Disney Magic of Healthy Living

Billy Mays - First OxiClean Commercial (2001)

Gatorade vs H2O