BAISNet+iPad+Symposium

I found the iPad Symposium organized by BAISNetter, Tom Wadbrook from Drew High School to be very informative, especially when it came to listening to what other teachers and departments are doing with the iPad.

Here are some highlights and conclusions:


 * 1:1 Programs:** In terms of iPad programs in Middle School and High School, the 1-to-1 programs work best, as the iPads are designed to be single-user devices PDA's (Personal Digital Assistant). It makes management of the iPad much easier when it is assigned to one student, as that way the student is able to organize, manage and save their work, and also use the built-in programs to access offline sites where much of the information is shared.


 * Cloud Computing:** Because of the portability and mobility of the iPad, the best solution for managing and sharing information from the teacher to the student and from the student to the teacher is via cloud computing. Most schools have set up google domains, wikis and dropboxes in order to manage student curriculum. One teacher had a slideshow presentation one day, and instead of having each student connect to the projector and give their presentation, all the students accessed the slideshow online in the dropox. "DropBox is a great place for students to put their projects, and when there is a set of iPads accessing the same project, it created an opportunity for many questions and discussion. "


 * Organizational Skills**: Sacramento Country Day School. 6th gr 1:1 - very successful. Math & History & Science teachers have completely revamped their programs. Kids do not use paper for the most part. Everything is kept on the iPad, really helped the students with their organizational skills.

Presenter: www.beadinfinitum.com Works like a remote on your iPad. Coming out with an introductory price of $50.
 * Turning the iPad into a Smartboard** for less than $100: DOCERI - app to turn your iPad into smartboard. www.doceri.com

San Domenico (Chris) - purchased a cart of 20 iPads. Went from discipline to discipline to find out if laptops or ipads worked better. iPads came out ahead. Now they will be releasing a 1:1 program for grades 6-8. Will stay with Macbooks in the High School. Recreating the pilot program with the 5th grade. **Teachers really like the instant on/off of the iPad.** no downtime with turning on, logging in, etc. Wishes Google docs capabilities will be upgraded sooner. Drew (Tom) - is going 1:1 next fall. Started out with the teachers. Very interested in the digital reading platform. Feels the iPad meets 80% of the day-to-day needs of the students. What changes have you seen in teaching by using the iPads?Giving opportunities to teachers to do things differently, not saying, you HAVE to teach differently. Allow teachers to explore and learn how to use the device.
 * Noteworthy**:


 * APPS**: Below are the apps highlighted by the teachers - the ones they liked best. Look at the discipline and see if it would be a good fit for your class.

Librarian Presenter: Gale Databases (access my library?) artstor - can search images

Aran - History teacher at San Domenico App: inkling ability to share notes. Google Apps - everybody is integrating to increase commuication. iHomework iStudies Evernote Dropbox (store in a cloud) Note Taker HD Noteshelf Mindnode (mindmapping) iCardsort Sundry Notes - multi-modal way of taking notes. Can include audio. Air Sketch eClicker (Instant polls, quizzes)

Jean Paullette - Math teacher at Drew Easy to push content to students - uses dropbox. File-management system PDF readers - showed Notarize. Open Source textbooks - CK12 CQ12? iBooks store Calculators graphing calculators WolframAlpha - computer algebra system

Shane Carter - Teacher at Drew Add international keyboards - when you do pages, click on the globe button and will change to the language you choose. Notarize Flashcards Deluxe, integrates with quizlet - can add audio component For language teachers - there are many video apps., she showed TVMonde which shows the latest news in French. Foreign language news broadcasts.

Renee Raming Google Earth Whiteboard (free and paid program) - drawing Keynote Pocketphonic - perfect JK & K app, can choose denelian font Solar System by Marcus Chown Shakespeare in Bits - MacBeth Mathboard - Grades 1-4 PhatPad - note-takingtool - good handwriting recognition AppAdvice - news about apps

I know this is a lot of information. It will be interesting to get some of the Middle School teachers that are in the cutting edge of developing these programs to come to MP&MS and talk to our teachers. Overall, quite inspiring!
 * Wrap-Up**