Updates, Google Docs, and All That Jazz...

*Image Credit: Google

It has been a while since I've posted. This blogging thing is definitely harder than it looks! Hopefully I can kick myself back into gear. 

It also doesn't help that my classroom wi-fi doesn't support Blogger... I debated about posting today when my frustrations are so fresh in mind, but I think it might be best to go ahead and rant on here. Makes the post feel more "real," doesn't it?! 

My students have been working on a Literary Analysis essay which requires them to compare and contrast one literary element in two short stories. Last week, to brainstorm, I had the students form groups based on the literary element they had chosen to analyze. Then, I had them use AirBoard to collaborate in brainstorming. They did not like AirBoard. While they liked the fact that they could all contribute to a board and everyone's work was showing up in their screen, the board was too small, and the lack of typing ability meant that their handwriting was too large and took up too much of the board itself. FAIL. Unfortunately, our wi-fi does not allow the students to connect to each other with other apps like iBrainstorm. BOO... Fortunately, the tech gurus are looking into whether or not to allow the iPads to talk to one another. I can see how doing so may open the floodgates for students to randomly send stuff to each other when they shouldn't be, but that seems to me to be a classroom management issue. 

While brainstorming, I also allowed the students to test out three different mind-mapping apps: MindJet, Popplet, and SimpleMind+. Each of these allows students to create spiderweb maps. Most students preferred SimpleMind+ and Popplet over MindJet. With SimpleMind+, students were able to change the colors of the bubbles, the background, and move the bubbles to different places very easily. Students who liked Popplet seemed to like the interface better because it was simplified, and looks a bit cartoon-ish, which is pleasing to them, aesthetically. MindJet requires students to press and hold a bubble and decide if the next thing they want to add is in the same "level" and what they are holding, or a "lower level". It works more like an org. chart, rather than a spiderweb. None of the apps allow sharing via Google Docs, which meant they could only be saved on the iPad and could not be viewed at home. 

*Note, I want to set up "dummy" emails on each of the iPads so that students can use the email function in the various apps to send their work to themselves.  Unfortunately, the email is restricted in the settings, and Technology has not replied to my email about wanting the passcode to add the dummy email into each iPad.  I guess they're talking it over up there and will make a decision at some point...

So, here it is, the thing that has frustrated me and made me snappy and impatient with my students: WORD PROCESSING ON THE IPADS SUCKS.  No way around it.  Our district uses Google Docs and each student has his or her own log-in.  I like Google Docs (although many of my colleagues don't!), because it eliminates the need for flash drives and email, as each student has an email and all of their work is saved to the "cloud."  In addition, students can "share" their work with me in seconds, and I don't have to print anything.  PAPERLESS!!!  BUT, GOOGLE DOCS DOES NOT WORK WELL THROUGH SAFARI ON THE IPADS!!!  Yesterday, I had the students create an MLA Template, so that they can just "make a copy" of the template, change the date, and be good to go with typing their essays.  Today, they actually typed their essays.  The problem was in typing the actual essay.  I had them use the "Desktop" version, and there were so many bugs!  They couldn't see what they were typing (BTW, we were docked on keyboards) when their essay went onto a second page, but could see their work in the "Mobile" version.  This kept repeating over and over and over and I had students left, right, and center calling out to me for help.  THE STRESS AND ANXIETY I WAS FEELING WAS OVERWHELMING.  Finally, during second period today, I just had the students edit through the mobile version.  Again, there were bugs (deleting something, then the cursor jumped to another spot in the essay and deleted there, copying and pasting when students didn't actually want that to happen, etc), but it went smoother than first period.

I don't know what to say except this: GOOGLE, START TALKING TO APPLE!!! BUILD A FREAKING APP ALREADY!!!  Geez, how hard is that?! 

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back...

Life is wonderful, and then it's not, and then it's back to wonderful again. I'm waiting for it to return back to wonderful. My first class successfully uploaded the class syllabus into Noterize from the Docs Folder, except for two students who I did not sync properly yesterday. Easy fix, I synced them up, dropped the files in, and away they went. Lovely! The Scavenger Hunt went very well. Students quickly figured out the components of the Noterize app after only five minutes of demonstration from me. I love teaching teenagers with technology! They pick it up so quickly. About half of the class was able to finish the Scavenger Hunt, and 90% were able to share their work with me via Google Docs within the app. Do you hear the angels singing?! I did!

Then second period started out similarly. I showed the students some of the components and how to upload the syllabus. They worked hard, and many completed the hunt. BUT... something happened at the district office in the middle of the class period and the wi-fi network went out! So they were unable to share their work with me. Ugh! Hopefully it will work tomorrow so they can finish and share their work.

So far, I am L-O-V-I-N-G using the iPads! There is quite a bit of trial and error, but the students are being flexible, and I've been smart enough to come up with back-up plans. Yay me!

A Step In the Right Direction...

Progress is good, right?! After learning that the network in my classroom can't handle all of the students attempting to log in to Edmodo at once, I tried having them enter the app in increments of ten. Success! Yes, it took a bit longer to start up, but in the end, it worked well. First period was able to get to the iPad Student Use Agreement form, finally.

In the next class, I attempted have the students use Noterize and import the class syllabus that I shared with them via Google docs. Doing this at home was hit-and-miss, so I don't know why I decided to try it with the kids! Wishful thinking, I suppose. It failed miserably. Time for Plan B: I had them use Safari and log into their Google Docs account to view the syllabus. It took a bit longer, but it worked well.

During my prep, I synced one of the student iPads and tried uploading the syllabus file into the Noterize app via iTunes. After disconnecting, I attempted to import the syllabus and found it waiting for me in the documents folder! Yay! So the plan for tomorrow: Scavenger Hunt with the class syllabus. They will use Noterize to "mark up" the syllabus according to the instruction sheet I've created. Then, they will share it with me through Google Docs. Hopefully it will help them learn a bit more about Noterize and my classroom expectations!

Wish me luck!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

And So It Begins...

Let me start by saying this: I am blessed.  Whether you believe in God, Allah, Buddha, or whoever, you will probably agree with me by the end of this post.  Last spring, I read an email from my school district about the potential for bringing Apple iPads into the classroom, to which I replied with my interest in the this pilot program.  A few weeks later, a second email was sent with a link to an application, which I promptly completed, and at the end of July, I received the phone call.  I was sitting at home when Mrs. C called, enjoying my summer break.  The Happy Dance that ensued immediately after hanging up was probably quite embarrassing, to say the least.  But what did I care?! I just got a class set of iPads!

I did not look forward to the week-long training, but it turned out to be the most helpful training I have ever been to, at least in regards to a technology training.  The five other teachers and I absorbed so much within the week, that it left my head spinning with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming year.  So many ideas... will I be able to implement them all???  I spent the weekend attempting to enjoy some social engagements, but my thoughts kept shifting back to the new school year.

Today, school started.  It started as any normal school year in my classroom would: a writing prompt.  You see, I have 9th grade honors students, and they need to write.  After the allotted time, I began to tell them about myself, the class, and then the big moment came when I told them they would be getting to use iPads in my classroom.  The look of shock, mixed with excitement, was priceless.  Yes, cliche, but nonetheless, it truly was priceless.  Too bad the Edmodo app was giving us trouble!  Most were able to sign up, but it was slow going, as I think we overloaded the server by trying to access the app at the same time.  Oh well, live and learn.

Things went much smoother for second period.  It still took a little while for the students to sign up for Edmodo, but all were able to do so and see the iPad Student Use Agreement form I had created in Google Docs.  Hallelujah!

They will need to be flexible.  I will need to be flexible.  There are kinks.  We will work them out.  But for now, I cannot wait to get going with it all!