iMovie make anyone a great director

I used iMovie with my seniors, and I LOVE it. I couldn't believe how easy it was for them to create video. My objective was to help them to see the value of a detailed plan or storyboard in creating an effective video. The previous videos that they have made have been pretty boring. I want them to be able to use video effectively as they continue to work on presentations.

I had them use the trailer templates so that they could see how the storyboard helps them to create a polished looking video. In about 45 minutes, EACH of my students finished their videos. It looked like total chaos, but they were all totally engaged and on task making their videos. I had about half of my class in the hall and the rest in the room. They were in groups so that they could be in each other's videos.

We took about 10 minutes to share in groups, then a few shared with the whole class. They also answered some reflection questions in Socrative about what they learned. In our group discussion afterwards we talked about how they can expand their skills by making a custom project. They seemed eager to use this again, and I, too, am excited to see what they create next.

iPad Presentation - Agenda

Learning Objective: Analyze how social media applications can support student learning and professional development.
Success Criteria: Review a blog and Twitter account using Sound Cloud and a blog to facilitate discussion.

1. Download Sound Cloud and Socrative
2. Skim my Blogs and Tweets (10 min)
3. Prepare for discussion:

• What is a strength of using blogs or Twitter for reflection or professionally development?
• How do blogs and Twitter support 21st Century skills?
• What would you do differently in a blog or Twitter?
• What should I add to my blog to support someone beginning implementation of iPads in a classroom?
• How could you use blogs or Twitter for your own professional development?

4. Record your discussion using Sound Cloud (10 min)

• Do not use Facebook when creating an account (You need a private account to obtain links for the sound files.)
• Make the file "Private" when saving to obtain a link to share.

5. Post a link to your discussion in the comments below (5 min)

• From the main menu, select the file, select "private", select the share (arrow) button, then copy the link.
• Paste the the comments below
• Listen to other files and comment about something that you like in the option below, or mark the spot in the file.

6. Socrative exit slip - What can you implement in your classroom? (5 min)

Is it really my fault?

I keep hearing that my iPads are the reason for some of our trouble with network and internet. I'm not totally sure that it's true. We had plenty of issues before my iPads arrived. Once I began using them regularly, I didn't hear about an increase in problems. I actually don't have any problems. When all of the other classes and teachers are yelling at their computers, I just sit quietly and say to my Macbook,  "I love you." We don't have any problems with the iPads. Other teachers have issues with connectivity mostly and often issue with slow loading. I have awesomeness.

We had an upgrade to our system over the break, and it has been a huge issue for people. Many people with Dell laptops (only a year or two old) have network cards that need to be upgraded. There  were a few days, where many people couldn't use anything. What a huge frustration! I know that my iPads connect differently, but if they are taking all of the bandwidth, why is it that I am not experiencing issues too?

Clear up confusion

My poor students have had to endure a bit of confusion this year. I began the year with a Promethean Board and clickers. We would often use the clickers for assignments or submit major essays to turnitin.com, but most of their work was written on paper then turned in to a basket: pretty simple. When I learned that I got the grant, I set up the class on Wikispaces and had the kids try out discussion posting. Once the iPads came, I had so many things that I wanted to try. We continued to use wikispaces, but I also played with clicker apps, notes apps, and e-mail. They seemed to have a different app for each assignment. I was searching for a great plan, but I think I just confused them.

Next year, I will commit to 1 way to turn in work, with few exceptions. I am also keeping a running list of assignments and where they are turned in on the class wiki homepage. I am realizing that I have to be EXTREMELY clear about what they need to do and where they need to turn it in.