Last year I was introduced to an app that changed my life, Doceri. Often when looking for apps you find a handful that do basically the same thing with minor changes. I was in search of an app that would allow me to control my computer from my iPad, allowing me to be mobile inside my classroom. I had tried apps like SplashTop (Whiteboard) and it was OK, but it didn’t wow me. I had connection issues and the touch was not as accurate as I had hoped for. Doceri does control my computer with pinpoint accuracy and a intuitive interface. Which, by itself, would have sold me on it, but it does so much more. For example, while controlling my computer I can switch between screens (if your running dual displays) with one click. Splashtop does not allow that. Another example of its robust platform is when you are holding the iPad in portrait mode and hold your finger down on the top screen an arrow will appear drawing your student’s attention to a colorful hand or arrow(Video 1). Splashtop does not do that either. Doceri does more than just control your computer. Doceri also acts as a screen cast program and as an interactive whiteboard. Each stroke of your finger or stylus is recorded separately. Doceri refers to this as “Timeline” (Video 2) . With timeline the user can playback their presentation, edit, add audio, and add new slides. In the playback mode the user can speed up or down the presentation and add stopping points to the presentation. With class websites, blogs, and flipped classrooms gaining more ground in schools Doceri makes posting a lecture, notes, or presentation simpler then ever (Video 3). Once again, Splashtop does not allow this. The app is free for the ipad and can be used with apple TV. However, if you want to control your computer you must pay $30 for a software download onto your computer. Connecting- Advantage Doceri –QR code Multitasking- Advantage Doceri - Dual Screen Screen Casting- Advantage Doceri- Audio and Timeline Perfect for posting to class blog or website- Advantage Doceri- Timeline! Pre-Created Screens Advantage Doceri (Doceri 48 vs. SplashTop WB 7) More Random Advantage SplashTop WB (Smiling faces, check marks, etc.) D.W. | Doceri Video 1 Doceri Video 2 Doceri Video 3 |
![]() Cell Phones in the Classroom? Really? Yes! Today it seems like everyone has a cell phone. Students as young as kindergarten come to school carrying cell phones. So, what is a teacher to do? Tell students to turn off their phones and stow them away in their backpacks? Reprimand students who are using their phones during class? In the book, Toys to Tools, author Liz Kolb says, "Cell phones are not just toys; rather, they're essential tools students use to communicate with the world around them." Cell phones can be used to enhance instruction. Secretary of State, Arne Duncan would like to see cell phones being used as an educational tool. Check out this video where Duncan says "yes" to cell phones in the classroom. Concerns About Using Cell Phones in the Classroom Many teachers, administrators and parents have concerns about cell phone use and believe that cell phones will be a distraction. Questions have been asked such as; “What about students who don’t have cell phones?” “Will students be more inclined to cheat on tests?” Kipp Rogers, principal at Passage Middle School, has changed his AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) to allow cell phone use in classroom learning. He said, "For the most part, the kids respect the rules. I never had any problems with kids using them inappropriately in my class. We spent a lot of time talking about their digital footprint and that what they do can be tracked.” He said he initially worried about "the haves and have nots," but students work in teams for most assignments requiring cell phones, so there is always at least one phone among the group. It is important that if choosing to use cell phones in the classroom that rules and consequences are set up. Like Passage Middle School, create an AUP specifically for cell phone use for students and parents to sign. Set up cell phone procedures in the classroom. For example, where should the phones be when not being used? 5 Tips to Get You Started
Create a social contract for cell phone use with school assignments, and include the students in the process. Have students brainstorm what that rules should be for the class, and narrow their ideas down to 5 rules. Let the students know that you will be adding these rules and consequences to a permission form that will be sent home to have parents and the students sign. Once the rules have been established, ask students what the consequences should be if one of the rules is broken. One consequence should NOT be taking away the tool, but concentrating on the action. 4. Start with OPTIONAL homework/EC projects outside of classroom. As students to complete these types of assignments so you can learn from the experience and make the necessary changes. Get student feedback about the experience. Use that feedback to plan future lessons. 5. Start with what YOU are comfortable with. There is SO much that you can do with cell phones in the classroom, but DON’T overwhelm yourself. As time goes on, you will become more and more comfortable with trying new things with cell phones. Be patient! Links and Lesson Ideas Students can create mobile podcasts using:
QR Codes are bar codes for cell phones. Teachers can create QR codes using websites such as Kaywa and ZxingProject. Once the codes are created students can take a picture of the QR code and receive information on their phone. The information could appear as text, a URL, picture or video. Here are some examples of how teachers have used QR codes in their classrooms:
Mobile Blogging
--Posted by Camille Cole ![]() Many teachers in Canyons School District are focusing on flipping their classroom from the traditional educational model to the flipped classroom model. The flipped classroom uses educational technology to influence the students learning environment. The flipped classroom model also provides the opportunity for students to learn through activity, which also influences the learning environment. Teachers are creating 5-7 minute videos for students to view at home, or in school if a student does not have Internet access at home. Class time is spent doing interactive activities to illustrate the concepts learned from watching the video. The ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard app is a great tool to use to create a learning video. Students can also use this app to gather and record data. The app works just like a whiteboard and as a lesson is created, it can be recorded and then posted into a class blog or website. I have been working with a 5th grade teacher at Sandy Elementary who is recording lessons for her students to view in math, which is posted in her classroom blog. The ShowMe video is called: Algebra Variables and Expressions. Tricia Ellison has done a fantastic job of implementing the "flipped classroom" model into her current teaching style. PJG We are learning a lot about the deployment of iOS devices in the district right now. We are learning that it is not a simple process yet. We are using the Apple Configurator tool to set up iPod and iPad labs in many schools. Our experience has not been consistent from school to school and that has added to our learning curve and frustration, but we are still learning. When everything does come together and work, we get to see scenes like these in our buildings. Look at both of these images and look for any off-task behavior. None. The students were working math problems on the devices and totally engrossed in it. Everyone of them worked through at least 20 problems in 25 minutes. They were set at a pretty easy level, so they all did pretty well, but even the ones who were struggling with the math were engrossed in the process on the iPads.
The hardest part was have to have them put them back in the cart so they could be used by other classes. Both classes I worked with today groaned and I took that as a very good sign. What I wouldn't give to be able to put one of these devices in every student's hands everyday!
If you have a dream of having more technology in your classroom this is a great place to start. Donors Choose requires teachers to start with small grants and work up to higher dollar grants. Sign up for an account on Donors Choose TODAY. Think about what you would like to get for your classroom. Teachers earn points and when they sign up on Donors Choose. Initially, teachers get three points. Getting a project funded will earn a teacher more points. As teachers earn more points they can request more expensive items like iPads or computers. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything. Get an account the School’s Ed Tech can help you from there. Pictured above is a list of companies that are partnered with Donors Choose. You can request items from any of these companies. posted by Bobie Glassett |
What We're LearningThere's a lot going on out there! These posts highlight a few things we're picking up along the way. Archives
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