February 1, 2012
I didn't write about this until now, partially because I didn't want to jinx it...but I applied for one Lakeville School's iPad grants. The grants are for class sets of iPads, and I am so happy to say that the recipients were announced today... and....drumroll please....the iPads are coming!!!
Before I go any farther, I have to say that I had several collaborating teachers who coauthored the grant with me. My wonderful colleagues, Maureen Long (3rd grade teacher) and Karen Osborn (4th grade teacher) will also be integrating the iPads into their classrooms. Maureen is planning to have her students map the places from their literature...traveling the world from the 9" by 7" screens in their hands. Karen is planning on infusing the iPads into her literacy lessons with a variety of apps that she has painstakingly researched. I am planning on using a voice to text app (Dragon) for my youngest students and video blog about internet safety with my older students. I am hoping to use Facetime to have students join a book club with students in our sister school, Eastview Elementary. So many ideas, so many apps, so much to learn and not enough time in the day!
Most important in all of our excitement is our belief that this technology will provide a creative tool for our students. I know it is certainly stimulating us to be more creative teachers! Though I am not yet certain what the timeline will be for actually receiving the iPads sets, I know it is soon. Stay tuned.
