How 1:1 ipads have changed student presentations

Every year, students are assigned to present in classes.  This can take many different forms.  With the use of a variety of apps, what used to be an "end of the unit project," are now becoming a "celebration of learning."  This past week, students were required to present on a historical event, a historical fiction novel, and explain whether or not the novel is considered to be more historical or fictional.  With this presentations, I have noticed the following benefits of 1:1.

• Without any prompting, many students used their ipads much like a note card as they followed along as they presented.  This helped students have a support, allowing them to have more confidence and maintain better eye contact.  
• Presentations have a wide variety of media.  Students included video, images, text, and graphics to complement what they were saying.
• Students integrated a variety of apps.  Some used pic collage or skitch to put together a collage of pictures which could represent the events.  
• Putting many elements together into one presentation forces students to think about the information at a different level.  Students must understand the info well enough to know what is most important and decide how best to represent that for the audience to understand.

Fun for the Geography Whiz

• Gameon.world
• Smartypins

I'm Willing and Eager but No One Needs Help: Getting People to Come to You

So you are now in the role as an Instructional / Technology Coach but how do you get your staff to ask for the support you want to give?  Take a look at these tips:

1.  Create that 30 second elevator speech:  When people ask "What do you do?  Do you like your job?" that is the first "in" you can have as you let them know what you have to offer.  

2.  Build Relationships:  People are more willing to ask friends for help than strangers.  Ask staff about everyday things.  This soon builds into a trusting relationship, opening up new possibilities.

3.  Know that Sometimes people just need someone to listen:  While negativity is always a downer, sometimes people just need to vent.  Sometimes they aren't really looking for a problem to be solved but just want someone to understand and be able to relate.  Even if you can't, being that person who can listen once in awhile is just another way to build that trusting relationship.  Some day they might just be willing to listen to a solution too.  

4.  Be Seen Physically:  They can't ask questions if they can't find you.  Be sure to work in an area with clear visibility by many people.  Soon you will be getting questions from people even when they didn't even come in with one.  Seeing you triggers the, "Oh, yeah.. I was wondering" or "Maybe you would know.." 

5.  Be Seen Digitally:  Another coach once told me, "You are only an expert a million miles away."  Create a presence on Twitter, google +, or blog posts.  If staff see you being knowledgeable on topics out of school, they are more likely to think of you as a go-to when they have a question.

6.  Never Turn Anyone Away Without Bringing an Answer:  If someone asks you a question, they are looking for an answer from you.  People don't like to wait for an answer or to be bounced around like a tennis ball.  While there are times that you may need to direct someone elsewhere, the best way to help if you can not solve the problem is to physically help the person make the transition.  When you ask a store associate where you can find the dill pickles, the best support is to be physically walked to the pickles rather than having the associate say, "In the back of the store" or "Aisle 10."  There is always some way to help.  This will likely bring them back again.

7.  Take Advantage of opportunities to learn:  When someone brings in an issue, it is always a good idea to watch and learn.  Chances are pretty good that this issue will resurface again.  The more you know, the more likely you will be able to help.  

Building a Website with Kids

If you are looking to have kids put together a website, I would recommend:

 Student Newspaper Example

• Easy drag and drop images, videos, text..
• Easy drag and drop organization
• Already developed themes
• Track stats on page views
• Receive direct feedback from Form Entries

Teacher Website

• New Drag and drop features
• Easy to use
• Easily connects with google accounts
• New, easy to use platform, gives limited theme oand colors options. Older version takes a little more comfort with technology but offers many more options.