Using Tablet computers

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Permalink Reply by Jay Pietig on November 19, 2008 at 2:06pm

Hello Frances,

I just joined Classroom 2.0 and saw your posting. Congratulations on your school's acquisition of tablet computers. I'm a partner in LearnTech Solutions which is a company focused exclusively on training teachers on how to use Tablets effectively in class. We've performed a number of workshops for schools in the Chicago area. In fact, we've done several "classroom activities" workshops specifically designed for math teachers.

We are running several "open" workshops in early December 2008 in the Chicago area. You can check out our website (www.learntechsolutions.com) for more information or you may contact me directly about possibly doing a "private" workshop for your math/science teachers.

Good luck!

Jay

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Permalink Reply by suehellman on November 19, 2008 at 5:07pm

Take a look at what these guys are doing to turn the traditional classwork/homework paradigm upside down --> http://educationalvodcasting.com/default.asp

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Permalink Reply by Frances DiDavide on January 28, 2009 at 6:49am

Thanks for the website guys. They are only beginning to use them and it is in math and science. I will forward all of this now that they are ready to start looking outside of their own curriculum.

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Permalink Reply by Robert (Bud) Talbot on January 28, 2009 at 8:50am

For the science teachers, check out crayon physics.

Bud

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Permalink Reply by Frances DiDavide on January 28, 2009 at 9:07am

Thanks for the site, I sent it on to our Technology Director.

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Permalink Reply by April Chamberlain on January 28, 2009 at 9:05am

We are in the process of handing out tablets to math and science teachers at our high school. They also have SMART Airliners (interactive slates) so they are using the SMART software to write and record short video clips of difficult to teach/difficult to learn concepts. They are uploading them to a K-12 math resources website for students to access. There are several free interactive whiteboard software that will do the same thing. For those that are just beginning and have limited tech skills, they are learning how to write on existing Office documents using the Review and Start Inking feature. I would love to collaborate to learn more and maybe connect like minded high school teachers together in their journey. My e-mail is april.chamberlain@trussvillecityschools.com and my skype name is aprilpc.

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Permalink Reply by Frances DiDavide on January 28, 2009 at 9:10am

It is good to see other schools going this route. There is talk about adding smart boards, but there are plans to completely redo the science classrooms in the future so that is up in the air for now. I have never see Smart Airlines, how do they work?

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Permalink Reply by April Chamberlain on January 28, 2009 at 9:14am

They are SmartBoards in the palm of your hand. You can do everything that a Smartboard can but you are not tethered to a wall or cable. It is easy to use and walk around with. Students love them because they don't have to go to the front of the room to write on the board, they can do it from their seat. You can teach from anywhere in the classroom. The notebook (files) can be exported as PDFs too. The airliner can also be shared from teacher to teacher where the smartboard isn't mobile. Also, a smartboard runs around $1,200 where a airliner (slate) runs $400. This way, more students and teachers can have the experinece that just a few.

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Permalink Reply by Frances DiDavide on January 28, 2009 at 9:18am

Thanks April, I have a number of elementary school teachers who want Smart boards but they are expensive and bulky to move around. We have looked at the Mimeo technology which is more portable but you still have the problem of configuring the board.

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Permalink Reply by April Chamberlain on January 28, 2009 at 2:02pm

I don't care for anything that you place at two corners of a space to make an interactive whiteboard because more often than not, the wall is not completely flat which creates a break in the projected image.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Pack on January 29, 2009 at 12:41am

Hi Frances,

I feel one area that is being underutilized is the interfacing of laptop/tablet computers with probeware to enable datalogging in science experiments. At JDM Science Education Consultants, we are focusing on providing elementary and middle school teachers with the necessary skills and methods to help them develop activities that use probeware to engage students in the learning process.

Students can use the computers, connected to probeware, such as temperature and pH probes, to greatly extend the range of possible hands-on activities. The use of probeware also provides more opportunities for the students to engage in higher order thinking skills.

Being able to use the computers in this manner is a win-win situation, "more bang for your buck"!

Check out the photos in my profile for more details.

Cheers, Dennis

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Permalink Reply by Frances DiDavide on January 29, 2009 at 6:55am

We do use the probe ware in our high school science classes. They have not extended it beyond that but I know the high school teachers have used it for a long time. With all the emphasis on reading and math at elementary (we have a lot of at risk students) lots of the hands on activities for science have been cut back. Such a shame! I will definitely check out the pics.

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