Hello Friends!
Today I have three things to ask you....
Is technology your friend or foe?
Are you savvy or sorrowful about it?
Do you embrace it or do you fear it?
These are the tough questions that the instructor asked on the first day of my
professional development seminar this past June. I have to admit that my answers fell on the "fearful" side before the week-long training started. I am most comfortable teaching with a story or a song, an easel and chart paper, or a puppet and a fun, print-tracking pointer. I am the person that hardly knows what to do with my iPhone, and tells my students to "cross their fingers and hope it works" whenever I attempt to use fancy gadgets to enhance instruction. I am the educator who would sassily wear this t-shirt....
After a week of intensive group work, video seminars, and one-on-one tutorials though, I have changed my tune and adjusted my attitude! I listened intently to my instructor's presentations and these wise words.....
"Some of you are digital immigrants in the foreign land of technology. But your students are digital natives. Let them be your guides. They are really comfortable with these devices. They are visual learners because of them. Think about how the Wamponoag tribe showed the Pilgrims how to survive when they arrived in Plymouth. Let your students show you how!"
I am going to follow his advice and move forward with much more confidence as I begin to integrate more devices of the electronic kind into my classroom instruction. I am even going to make the 45-minute trip north to the Apple Store next week to purchase an iPad (using my "educator's discount" of course) for both my personal and professional use!
You will not have to make that trek or invest your own hard-earned dollars though, because the Raffecopter below offers you the chance to WIN your own iPad Mini! If you are the lucky recipient of this fabulous prize from our group of blogger buddies, you might like these useful products, apps, and ideas, so read on!
I have always wanted a document camera to project book pages, manipulatives, and worksheets onto my Smart Board, and recently found these nifty ideas online that will help me make that happen this year!
If you have the tools and the know-how, an inexpensive stand for your iPad can be made out of plastic PVC pipe! This link gives step-by-step instructions and includes a video tutorial for two different models!
If you do not have the know-how or the time to create your own stand,
Really Good Stuff has another option {HERE}!
I also found this website that has a long and wonderful list of iPad apps for all subject areas, as well as tips on how to best use them in your classroom.
Susan Stephenson often writes about iPad reading, writing, and creating apps on her blog, The Book Chook, and has a great Pinterest
board full of her reviews. Be sure to check it out!
Be sure to discover more helpful iPad ideas by following my
Tech Tips Pinterest board {HERE}!
This giveaway is only open to teachers
(classroom and homeschool) who are living in the contiguous United
States. The winning entry will be verified and proof of eligibility may
be required. Please see the complete terms and conditions at the bottom
of the giveaway for more information.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope that you found today's post helpful! For more tips about how to use technology in your classroom, be sure to visit the rest of these fabulous blogs! Until next time, continue to share your story, hold a song in your heart, teach your children well, and keep your electronics charged up and ready to enhance your lessons!
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I just entered the amazing giveaway you are offering with "Burke" (I am your newest follower) I would be very appreciative if you hopped over to check out my giveaway! It ends in approximately 24 hours. Thanks so much =)
ReplyDeleteMelanie
Teacher’s Lounge