Updates with the SET Project

 So November flew by and here I am facing only 16 days of December!  We started our month with a visit from Scott, who came by to say hi and offer support.   Thanks again Scott for all the great feedback!
As the month has wound down, I thought I would do a little right now update for the project.

What I'm seeing:  the students really enjoy using the technology.

What I'm hearing:  thankfully, nothing.  The sounds from the laptops were driving me slowly crazy, but when I introduced the earbuds my sanity was restored.

What I'm thinking;  that I want to get the laptops out for other things.  The kiddos are getting bored with CS right now.

What surprised me this month:  how helpful they are with each other and how most of them "tell" rather than "do" when they are helping.

What I'm feeling:  I'm feeling like I want to try to get them managing the storage and movement of the laptops.  I know that I need to teach the expectations very clearly and just let go, but the machines are worth so much money...

This is my earbud storage, and it's working out really well.  I've used this in the past and keep the containers from year to year.  I got them at the dollar store and just run them through a dish washer when the year is over. 

Working with the laptops

So in the last post about the laptops, I outlined this great plan that I'd decided on.  Well on the day of, I decided to scrap the plan and just go for it.  I put all the computers out on the desks, assigned kiddos to a computer and we all went through how to turn on the machines, how to go to Classroom Suite and how to access student assignments.

I was so surprised at how smoothly it all went!  They were pretty patient and took turns really nicely and it all went really well.

Today, I pulled out the laptops during math rotations and had it in for two of the

centers, so all the students would get a chance to do the first 2 assignments that I'd put in their file.  Most of them remembered how to turn on the machine and get into their files with very minimal help from me!  I was so excited to see that.  While half the class was using the technology, the other half was working on  an interactive journal page or patterning blocks.  When the students finished with two assignments, they logged off and switched places with their partners.  I had to do very little reminding or helping.

One thing I will have to work on is the timing.  They were finished the assignments way quicker than I'd imagined, so I will have to make sure that the tasks are a little more involved and/or there are extra assignments for them to do. 

Classroom Suite Inquiry Project

This year I am excited to be a part of an Inquiry project with SET BC using Classroom Suite as part of my math program.   I was involved in a collaboration group with other teachers from my school looking at math and ways to improve number sense across the grades.  This project will enable me to continue with the work I have already started.

Today was our first meeting. We all called in from our different sites and after a few technical difficulties, we got started.  It was nice to be able to connect with everyone again, and hear about how the school start up went for everyone.  It also helped bring my stress level down when I heard that not every one is up and running.

This was my work station in the board room at the district office.

I spent most of the morning remembering how to navigate Classroom Suite and making a list of tasks I want to accomplish with the laptops before I get them into the hands of the kiddos.   As much as I like tech, I'm still a paper and pencil kinda girl, so I was busy scribbling while listening to the chatter and questions.

I think my first step will be to introduce my class to the laptops and get the kiddos comfortable with them.  I'm not expecting this to take very long, as I did an little survey in my room and all of the kids have some level of tech know-how.  I will go into Classroom Suite and use my projector to show them what I'm doing.  I've noticed that there is a little pause in the instructions that they will need to have patience for.

In the back end, I will be creating the groups for the computers and making sure that there is no over-lap, I'd like to have the students working on the computers by themselves if possible, by the end of October.  My first goal is to have them working with the tools for math to start (my inquiry is around math), but have the laptops integrated into other subjects as well.  I have noticed that I have many reluctant writers in my class this year, and I know I could hook them with writing on the computer... still working out what that's going to look like.  I have a number of activities that I have ready to transfer to the other laptops, so that's what I'll be working on this week.

My district tech Principal allowed me to re-purpose a cabinet that was already in my room. This is what it looks like.  The key stays with me, not in a desk or anything and I keep it locked at all times.

I am going to be stacking them 2 high, as you can see.  Once I get all the charging cords in place, I will update the picture.  I'm sure it's going to look like a hot mess!