iTouch Update

While I've enjoyed having access to an iTouch this quarter, I will admit that I haven't really used it as much as I hoped to.  Part of this may be because I own an iPhone, so many of the capabilities the iTouch provides weren't needed.

I did explore various apps and discovered that there is a multitude of applications available, designed to enhance student learning.  Still, I had difficulty seeing how I could integrate one Touch into my main placement classroom.  In other tech news, I have started teaching some with the IWB, and I'm really enjoying it.

Back to the iTouch: The feature I used most this quarter has been Voice Memo.  I've used this app for each meeting that I've had with my Juanita buddy.  After the session, I can listen to the discussion and reflect on my teaching, as well as his learning.  While it's been relatively easy for me to remember the discussion I had with one student, I can only imagine how useful this tool would be when I'm working with 20+ students.  My ability to remember all the conversations will not be nearly as skilled as it is with just one.  I believe the iTouch would a wonderful asset to a teacher so that he/she could record conversations with students.  It would be a great assessment tool - both for student understanding, as well as teaching instruction.  I think it would also be a powerful tool to show student growth throughout the year.  Additionally, it would be powerful to have concrete evidence to share with parents.  Instead of simply describing how a student is doing, you would be able to show them "how it sounds."

Question:  Is it a good idea to use your iPhone for this purpose?  I'm wondering if there are some legal issues that may come up with student information on a personal cell phone.  Also, what might be some ways to push for funding for tech in schools that may not make tech a priority?

Lesson Planning Rules to Live By

Today in math I learned about TinkerPlot, an elementary level program similar to Fathom.  The short intro video we watched got me quite interested in thinking about how powerful manipulating data could be for students.  Still, the big takeaway for me today was the reiteration of the importance of the 4 main areas of lesson planning: 1) What do your students know? 2)What do you want them to know? 3) How will you get them there? 4) Did you get them there?  If not, how can you rework your lesson and try again?

As I move forward with my student teaching quarter and beyond, it will be important for me to remember that these 4 questions drive every lesson I plan, regardless of the format.  Also, our discussion about knowing our students today made me think back to Ayers and his argument that curriculum must be relevant to the students for it to be meaningful to them.  Another area of my teaching that I will pay particular attention to is making sure that my students see themselves reflected in the curriculum.