Best Learning Experiences of 2011-2012

Taking an idea from @coolcatteacher as seen below...

I asked each of our students the following question,

"What was your best learning experience of the year?"

I created the entire movie on an iPad with iMovie and can't be more thrilled with the result.  Not only by their answers, but by the quality of the video.

Some students gave detailed answers, some shortened them up.  Either way, I am thankful I took the time to ask!  My advice would be Vicki's advice, "Take one day to LISTEN to your students talk about their best learning experience in your classroom this year."

Explain Everything, Google Form, and Paper For Assessment

This idea came to me this morning.  Create an assessment using Explain Everything.  It's Pythagorean Theorem which always works better with real pictures.  Upload to YouTube. Create Google Form for completion by student.  Embed all into classroom blog.

The whole process took less time than copying and pasting into a paper copy.

Seriously, Awesome!


BYOD


On a side note, student walked into class today with a broken arm.

The arm he WRITES with...

No problem with the iPad Whiteboard app...


Finally, when the class is over I simply change the blog post to "Revert to Draft" and it is removed from my blog.  Students are absent, when they return I will "Publish" it again.  EASY!!!

Old and New Technology! Which Would You Rather Use?

Students Searching For Triangles

In order to place a real feel on this, students took iPads outside to discover triangles in their world.  Students found real triangles which they applied the Pythagorean Theorem to find a third side.  We also used estimated measuring tools (hands and shoes) to find the lengths of the legs.

After we found the measurements, students used the Skitch App and paper/pencil to calculate the hypotenuse.

Blogging With Writing Prompt

Triangle Analysis Using Skitch App

Students discovering the legs and the hypotenuse of a triangle use the Skitch app for mastery.
Skitch App was used...

Students Love Using Notes App and Making Permanent On Blog

Students use NOTES app and explains how they access the notes from home.

Student Blogging Preview of Chapter

I have actually never thought of it until today!  We never blogged a preview of what we were GOING to study.  Today, we Googled the one word that was written very large across the first page of our chapter in math.

"Inequalities"

Students found as much as they can about everything on this subject and placed a chosen amount into a blog post.

Student Reflection on 8th Grade Math via MadPad HD

8th Grade Promotion Practice With iPad