iPad Connections:
The past week has been very productive for us as we have successfully explored a variety of apps including: Keynote, Educreations, and iMovie.
All students were very excited to create and share presentations with the class. When reflecting back, the key feature that stands out in my mind is the high level of engagement. The students have really embraced the use of wireless technology across all subject areas and are making connections with their learning. Since this type of student centered learning enables students to be in charge of their learning, they take greater ownership, and make authentic connections with their educational experiences.
Making connections with parents and community...
Last week, I began creating a class website using Weebly, and posted some of the students work online. When I introduced our class website to my class on Wednesday, they were super excited to see their work online. The next day, many students indicated that their parents enjoyed seeing their work online. They all wanted to know when would their work be posted again. This was great to hear because now we have another way of connecting with parents and community via our class website.
Last week, I began creating a class website using Weebly, and posted some of the students work online. When I introduced our class website to my class on Wednesday, they were super excited to see their work online. The next day, many students indicated that their parents enjoyed seeing their work online. They all wanted to know when would their work be posted again. This was great to hear because now we have another way of connecting with parents and community via our class website.
A special connection...
Recently, a new student arrived in our class from India. This student is a very quiet, yet hardworking and bright young girl. On Friday, she shared a personal connection with me about her work online:
"My family is so happy because I sent them the
link to the class website and they can see my
work online in my village in India."
"When are you going to be posting more work
online?"
This really made my day! This new student, who has only been living in Canada for about 4 weeks was so proud of her work and the fact that her family could see it online in India. She felt that she made a special connection with her family because they were able to see samples of her school work and learning in Canada. Wow - what a special connection! I also informed her that in the upcoming weeks, we will be working on creating student websites. She is very excited as this will allow her to learn, share, and connect. She made a personal-global connection with her extended family. The power of technology....
Recently, a new student arrived in our class from India. This student is a very quiet, yet hardworking and bright young girl. On Friday, she shared a personal connection with me about her work online:
"My family is so happy because I sent them the
link to the class website and they can see my
work online in my village in India."
"When are you going to be posting more work
online?"
This really made my day! This new student, who has only been living in Canada for about 4 weeks was so proud of her work and the fact that her family could see it online in India. She felt that she made a special connection with her family because they were able to see samples of her school work and learning in Canada. Wow - what a special connection! I also informed her that in the upcoming weeks, we will be working on creating student websites. She is very excited as this will allow her to learn, share, and connect. She made a personal-global connection with her extended family. The power of technology....
Connecting with Apple TV....
Setting up the various Apple TVs in 4 of the classrooms, brought a tremendous amount of excitement and positive energy! Students were excited to share their presentations using the AirPlay feature as it is so smooth.
Previously, many times our presentations would get interrupted with technical difficulties because of faulty connections or loose cables. This caused frustration! Now, connecting to the apple TV saves so much transition time when different groups are sharing their learning and creations. Many staff members were excited and could not wait until the Apple TVs were set up. Colleagues Brooke McBurney and Doris Duncan, also successfully used Apple TV in their classrooms. They also felt that Apple TV made it easier for students to share and connect with their learning.
So many different connections with learning and sharing! I wonder what other types of connections we will make in the upcoming weeks.
Lucky Kalair
Grade 6/7 Teacher
Panorama Park Elem.
Setting up the various Apple TVs in 4 of the classrooms, brought a tremendous amount of excitement and positive energy! Students were excited to share their presentations using the AirPlay feature as it is so smooth.
Previously, many times our presentations would get interrupted with technical difficulties because of faulty connections or loose cables. This caused frustration! Now, connecting to the apple TV saves so much transition time when different groups are sharing their learning and creations. Many staff members were excited and could not wait until the Apple TVs were set up. Colleagues Brooke McBurney and Doris Duncan, also successfully used Apple TV in their classrooms. They also felt that Apple TV made it easier for students to share and connect with their learning.
So many different connections with learning and sharing! I wonder what other types of connections we will make in the upcoming weeks.
Lucky Kalair
Grade 6/7 Teacher
Panorama Park Elem.