Technology and Learning

   We have so far collected student iPads in grades Kindergarten-6th grade.  Today 12th graders were collected and we didn't THINK - UGH!!  We are buying new cases for these 12th grade iPads because we don't feel it's fair that the first graders have to have an iPad case of a senior that has used it for two years.  However - WHY DIDN'T WE ORDER THEM LAST WEEK!  We didn't want the senior iPads to sit without a case - so we have the seniors put them back IN their cases.  But - that means that we will have to pull all those cases off and put the new ones on - UGH:(!!  If we would have had them - the seniors could have just popped the new one on and clean the old ones at a later date!  Well, for next year we will know this now, too!  Year by year we sure learn more to dos and not to dos.  Also - we are NOT collecting the chargers of the 7-12th Graders.  They are going to be responsible for their own over the summer.  When they...

   We have been collecting iPads now for the past two days and have definitely found some that are cracked.  First we collected the Kindergarten and 1st graders and cleaned them!  Yesterday we cleaned 2nd and 3rd graders, but today we had the 4th and 5th graders clean their own.  While one of the kiddos was cleaning his/her iPad, we noticed a HUGE crack.  After opening it up, it was MORE than just a crack - let's just say probably the WORST one we have seen to date!  Clearly this child intentionally cracked it and beat it time and time again.  When asked what happened to his/her iPad, he/she said, "I don't know what happened, but I didn't kick it."  OH I DIED. LAUGHING!!! Happy Weekend - PLEASE, don't kick your iPads, Mrs. I:)

   Well, we did it!  Let me rephrase that, I did it:)!!  We actually sent a team to Microsoft (GASP), to check out some possibilities for our kiddos in two years.  SIGH.....the iPad is just not cutting it for our upper grades.  With all the word processing and things they need to do in that format, a device without a keyboard is a struggle.  Now, we DO have blue tooth keyboards in the library for check out, but kids often forget about them and neglect to come and grab them.  The visit, in my professional Apple minded self, was AMAZING!  Not only is the Fargo Microsoft Campus GORGEOUS, the information presented really feels like a great fit for our upper kids!     Right now we really have NO idea what we are going to get, but after yesterday, the Surface is definitely an option.     They have some great marketing things with Microsoft Office 365 and OneNote , that it's worth the peek!  Then.... a tho...

  Mr. Strand, the high school Principal, emailed out a note/study this morning about the importance of the TEACHER in the classroom.  It was noted that the most important thing in the classroom was the TEACHER and the relationships that are built with these amazing kiddos;)!!  Now, I KNOW it doesn't have to deal with Technology - and that's what this blog is about, right?  Well, check THIS blog out and you'll agree;)!!!    John Riley, a teacher JUST like you, wrote this...... The Most Powerful Tool in the Classroom and......I couldn't agree with him more!!!  Happy Night 'al - Mrs. I:)

  I am the last person to probably be talking about technology since I am the gurus and NERDS of the madness!  However, I was on Facebook (go figure), when I saw this post that a friend of mine reposted.  It was a YouTube Video called "Look Up."  TAKE. TIME. TO. WATCH. THIS. ONE.  It's only 4 short minutes, but will make you THINK about the time you spend on technologies; whether the Macbook, your iPhone or iPad or Surface, whatever.....it doesn't say DON'T do it - it say be "timely" when you DO do it:)!!!  Please, take the time to "Look Up!" Happy Thursday, Mrs. I:)

   We use Schoology as our LMS and REALLY like it!  We have had great success, the kids love that it's all in ONE place and not multiple websites, and it's UBER easy to use for teachers and students alike.  However - Google just announced Google Classroom which looks quite interesting.  Someone commented on there that they were able to go paperless in 6 weeks.... which is pretty much how Schoology has worked for us.  However - this might be the perfect fit for you and your school.  Check it out!! Happy Night one again - heading to Big Lake tomorrow to check out their reading curriculum - they use the Journeys curriculum, which we kind of liked and works great with The Daily 5/CAFE which we are also looking at doing! Happy Night 'al Mrs. I:)

Mrs. Justesen, a first grade teacher here, forwarded an email to me about an app that's FREE today called Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Classroom Addition .  The app looks pretty amazing and gets great reviews!!  THANK YOU MRS. JUSTESEN:)!!!  This app normally costs $49.99, so I believe that it's a true addition, as the other one says "in app" purchases and this one doesn't so I'm thinking it's the WHOLE caboodle;)!  I am in the process of downloading it to give it a try!! GO DOWNLOAD AND TAKE A LOOK:) Happy Tuesday, Mrs. I:)