iPads in the Art Room

Rolling out a 2:1 iPad Program

It has been a little over two months since I have added 15 iPads to my visual arts instruction and I want to use the next several posts to share my experiences, strategies, lessons and successes.  

Let me begin with deployment - which can be extremely intimidating for any teacher.  The day the iPads arrived was like celebrating Christmas early.  I couldn’t wait to set up the devices and get them organized and uploaded with apps so I could begin using them....I had spent most of the summer researching and designing lessons that integrate technology with my curriculum.  I was determined not to let the technology rule the lesson but rather supplement it in a way that engages the students in learning and provides differentiation for all levels of learners.  I will share some lesson plans in future posts.

  

There are many fears associated with allowing 175 middle school students to use these precious devices every day, the least of which is general management.  Creating procedures that were simple, direct and easy would ensure that I would integrate the technology more often and become comfortable using it on a regular basis.  I probably spent way to much time thinking about the management issues but I think it paid off. 

I have about 30 students in each of my classes so this has worked out to be a very close 2:1 scenario where every two students share an iPad.  I have bins on each of the six tables in my room that contain the iPads for the students at that table.  Each iPad is numbered and placed in a large ziplock bag which is also numbered.  I purchased some inexpensive foam sheets at the craft store and use those for two purposes.  They act as a “cushion” between the iPads when stored in their bins to keep them protected and they also serve as a placemat of sorts for the students to keep the iPads on the table so they don’t slide around or get easily knocked off the table.  Let’s be honest, middle school students can be a little clumsy! I have established a single, strict rule as students enter the classroom: iPads are to stay in the bins until the teacher gives permission to power them on.  This provides me with a few minutes of undistracted attention to present the objectives for the day.  (This has also been extremely helpful as we have also moved toward a BYOD initiative; students who bring their own devices must have them off and in the bins when they enter the classroom.)  

Totes m' Notes

Each student has created a personal notebook in an app called Totes m’ Notes.  I did a lot of research on journal apps and this one is perfect because this free app allows an unlimited number of notebooks to be created.  (Many other journal apps had limitations in their free versions.) It also allows students to customize their notebook covers with different backgrounds and stickers (a great first day activity).  There is a place on each notebook cover for the students to type their names so I can easily check their notebooks at the end of class or end of day to see their work.  Journal entries are automatically dated and organized in a table of contents type format to make it easy to see all the work they've done!  Each  class begins with a new journal entry where they write the objectives for the day. I have daily objectives posted in a powerpoint slide on the screen in the front of my room.  Additionally, each class ends with a journal entry that summarizes what was learned.  Sometimes I’ll ask a specific question and other times I will ask them to write 2-3 sentences about what they learned that day.  I use the powerpoint slides to pace the lesson, show them the apps they are to be using, provide illustrations or examples,  and present a checklist of instructions. The slides accompany my verbal instructions and demonstrations so that I am able to circulate the room to work individually with students, keep students on task and reach all learners.  Here is a link to a typical powerpoint presentation that I have used for a lesson.  http://www.slideshare.net/ldnorris/ipad-pp-still-life-two-ways

At the end of class, procedures once again rule the classroom.  Students are directed to complete their summaries in their Totes Notebooks, close all running apps, power the device off, clean the screen, place in baggie and return the iPad safely to its bin on the table.  Whew!  Class is over, I can check their notebooks for understanding and completion of work and prepare for the next day.

I have found that the students crave the consistency of procedures.  There have been times when work time has overtaken the few minutes they need to write their summaries and you would think that the world has come to an end!  “Can we PLEASE stay and write in our journals, Mrs. Norris?”  “Can I write my summary tonight and copy it in my journal tomorrow?”  When students are leaving my class wishing we had just “a little bit more time” I know that it has been successful day.