Sunday, March 24, 2013


Number of AR Project Documented Hours: 29 weeks

AR Project Summary :

IPad technology in the classroom can be a powerful tool for learning and comprehension. The interactivity it provides can make for a very engaging experience, definitely for elementary school aged students. One of the most uplifting things I’ve observed with the introduction of the iPad into the classroom is the way it has directly impacted the learning environment. I’m observing students and teachers that understand that learning shouldn’t be restricted to desks in neat rows.
I’m seeing classrooms where students are not only allowed but are encouraged to get comfortable while they learn. It really is an amazing sight to walk into classrooms and see not only high levels of student engagement, but also high levels of student collaboration.
I believe this is a result of students having their own highly engaging and personalized learning device and their own space to learn in. They share better, problem solve better and most importantly learn that there is more than one way to solve a problem.
One of the first things we noticed as a result of iPads in the classroom is the direct impact on not only the quantity of student work, but the quality as well. The best examples to depict these points would be in the areas of math and writing.
When math problems are presented in a game format on an iPad, students spend the same 15-minutes practicing, but will complete exponentially more problems during that same time period than they would writing it out.
This has been an incredible journey and I’m so excited to see where it takes us. While redefining what teaching and learning looks like in the 21st century isn’t an easy journey, it’s one well worth taking.

Monday, March 18, 2013

The title 1 information and all the rules for NCLB have been quite interesting, I think that I knew some of the things but not the reasoning behind it.