Tablets: Powerful Technology For Your Classroom

Lots has been written about how to implement Ipads into classrooms and after 3 years many areas have gone that direction.  In this blog I am going to talk about a couple of implementations of Android tablets as some of the software in the Android market outdoes anything that the Apple tablet can accomplish.  I have used an Ipad now for a couple of years but am really excited about these particular apps and software.

Tabpilot  This piece of software is a web based tablet management system that controls what the tablets display.  From the web interface you install apps, weblinks and other content so the students can get to whatever it is you want them to get to in a hurry.  If you have specific sites you want them to go to they can show up as icons on the front page so there is no searching for the app or browsing, you just click and it takes you there.  This works for apps as well.  You just place the apps on the screen for thte students and only those apps are shown.  When you change from Science to English you go to the website and change the content from Science to English and the apps and weblinks change to your English content.

Smartclass  Radix SmartClass for Android directly connects teachers and students devices with no need for for additional software (servers, cloud applications etc) or hardware in the classroom.

With SmartClass for Android you can perform the following operations on a single student tablet or a group of tablets.

• Teacher tablet screen broadcast
• Control student and assist from remote
• Video stream from teacher to students
• Lock tablets for complete student attention
• Lock Internet on student’s tablets
• White/black list of Internet websites
• Electronic white board – on screen function
• Students can electronically “raise hands” for attention
• Chat and discussion center
• Teacher message broadcast
• Co-browse the internet with students
• File distribution from teacher to student
• File collection from students to the teacher
• Teacher presence announcement for classroom selection
• Classroom selector mechanism for student

Teamviewer  This is an app that runs on Windows, Mac, Ipad and Android.  It allows you to control your computer from your tablet.  It turns your smartboard into a mobile board as you can now control the smartboard computer from the tablet.  The computer and the tablet or phone do not even have to be in the same network so you could use this from school to school or home or anywhere in the world.

Teamviewer Quick Support  This app only works for Android but allows you to control your tablet or phone from your computer.  This is great if you want to show your tablet screen on a computer or a projector.  

Brainshark  Brainshark is a presentation recording tool that we will be rolling out before the next school year.  It allows you to record slides, video, whatever content you want into a presentation that can be viewed on any device, computer or tablet.  It is great for the flipped classroom as it allows you to place questions in the middle of the presentation to maintain interest and focus.  Keep in mind a video lecture is still just a lecture so without some kind of help unmotivated students can tune out at home as easily as they do in the classroom.  This helps make your presentations smoother and more interactive.

Other apps you probably already know about:

Moodle

Edmoto

Facebook

Twitter

TED app

English POD

There are many apps for Apple and Android, even Windows apps are growing fast but many of the apps used in school are just simple games. Using them isn't a bad thing but it really isn't any different than what we did fifteen years ago.  We pretend this is more exciting because it might be on a tablet instead of a computer but the reality is that the interface is prettier but the value of the activity hasn't changed.  To say that it is better on a tablet, Ipad, Android or Windows, is just not true.

Most people enjoy using shiny new toys but we need to examine what we are using them for. Are we doing things that could not have been accomplished without technology?  Are there benefits to having this technology other than a public relations tool to pretend we are doing something new and exciting?  Are we using the appropriate tool for the job?

I am not against any technology and whatever schools want is what we should be providing them with.  The key is that the plan for what is to be accomplished needs to be considered prior to implementing anything.  The guess and give technology implementation program needs to disappear and teachers need to take control of the decisions as to what technology is best for them.

Oh, and do leave some time to play.  :)  Smile, enjoy your life, bring that joy into the classroom.  

Lose Control of your Classroom

Lose control of your classroom

I began teaching in 1992 and it has been a lot of fun and an interesting experience.  I have learnt a lot about myself and the world around me through these students who are trying to figure out their place in the world.

Now I am in an administrative position running the computer department and the things that frustrated me as a teacher have not changed much in the last 20 years.

During one of my first years teaching I was told that the Assistant Director had some extra time one day and asked if he could come observe in my classroom.  My door was always open to anyone so of course I said yes, plus how do you say no to the top Division Office staff.  I can't remember what we were working on but I know it was a large project that we had already begun so when he showed up the students were in groups working throughout the classroom.  Some were researching, some were building, others planning the event and others working on a presentation.  I spent my time going from group to group asking questions, checking up on them, asking them if they needed anything to complete the task.  It was an awesome class.

After the observation took place I got to meet with the supervisor.  I was excited to hear what he had to say.  I was starting my career and this guy was a seasoned, well respected educator.  A person you could learn so much from.  I believe he was the only person with his Dr. degree in my small rural school division.   He gave me a lot of positive feedback and thought the students were on task, excited and engaged in what they were suppose to be doing.  He ended with the statement that I didn't really teach when he was there and that he would be returning next week so he could see me "teach" something.  The next week I sat the class down and lectured them on some topic and appeased my employer.  I got a great report and learnt the important lesson that you keep a spare lesson plan handy in case your boss shows up.

The problem has been the same throughout my school career.  I realised early on and through University that I didn't have to actually do much thinking.  I had to figure out what the professor or teacher wanted to hear and then regurgitate that information.  Creative thinking was not only not encouraged, it was discouraged most of the time.

One event that increased my desire to change the way we do things happened in my high school.  We an English teacher that decided the students would use a music video to tell a story.  This was in the 80's when MTV actually played music videos.  The students were so into this project.  People that didn't want to attend school were enthused with this project.  The students learnt how to use technology, how to collaborate, and had a great time producing these videos.  I then watched as the teacher got in trouble for the lack of control in her classroom because at that time controlling learning meant keep the students quiet and share information with them.  The reality was that this teacher was never so more in control of the students learning then when she gave them the opportunity to collaborate, explore and express themselves in a new way.

We now have access to so much technology and it is exciting and frightening at the same time.  We have been spending large amounts of money on technology but we have to realise that if we teach the exact same way we did 20 years ago there is very little benefit from any technological device.  Maybe we are providing videos on-line of our classes, we have notes so students can catch up when they miss a class, we can project our information on the smartboard so it is easier to see.  All of those help keep people organised but the true benefit of technology isn't found in any device.  It is found in the connection to the world those devices can bring.

It is time to lose control of the learning in your classroom because by doing so you will control more learning than ever before.

Trip to Orlanda

I had an interesting week as I travelled to Orlando Florida for the FETC conference.  It is a conference promoting the use of technology in the schools.

On my way to Saskatoon I had to pull over on the highway as there was a semi on the side of the road totally in flames.  There was one other vehicle stopped and others just drove by the burning vehicle.  Eventually the gas tank blew just 5 seconds after a car had passed by.  I couldn't believe people were flirting with disaster by passing on by.

The traffic was backed-up for a lengthy period of time and 3 firetrucks and a police car showed up.  I was stuck there for an extra 30 mins.








I had planned to get there a little early and go to a movie but this slowed me down enough I missed it.  I decided to stop at McDonalds for a vanilla shake and when I did there was a guy begging for change near the door.  I told him I don't handout money but to come on in and I would buy him whatever he wanted.  We had a great conversation, he told me all about his life and how he came to live in Saskatoon without a home.  I warned him that a cold front was moving in and that he should find some shelter.  He said he had been to the shelters and they were all full.  He was spending his time hiding in apartment buildings to stay warm.

As I listened to his story I was evaluating what I believed was true and what was not.  After I finished supper and was getting ready to leave he began to collect anything I had left behind, the fries that fell on the table, anything that fell on the table or tray I didn't eat.  I asked him what he was doing and he said he was saving the rest for tomorrow morning.  I went to the counter and picked up a gift card for him.  I again warned him about the cold coming and told him that he could use this card for food or just to come in and get out of the cold as some -40C temperatures were on their way.

I have no idea what, if any, impact this had on this person's life.  I hope he made it through the cold.  The interesting thing is that God has put us in places for a reason.  Sometimes they may not be the places you want to be but throughout all things I want to be someone who is a light in this world.  Buying some food for someone who has none is a ridiculously small thing.  I have money.  Even if the guy was scamming me worst case scenario he got away with some food and I had some company for supper.  Fair trade.

As a follower of Jesus I should live a life thinking of others.  In order to do that you have to meet people which was what I did the rest of the trip.

The night I lost my shirt because I left it at the bar.

In Florida I sat with a group of people that were in the same business as me.  We had a great time at a vendor event where there was an open bar and supper.  It was very interesting to hear what they were doing in Florida.  After the event they wanted to go out to a club called Howl at the Moon so off we went.  It was a lot of fun.  There was a great band playing and they were filming a promo video.  I haven't checked to see if I made it into the video, that would be very funny as I am not really a bar going person usually.  We had a great time there and I soon learned that the crew I was with loved to drink and party.  This is where I lost my shirt.  the vendor had given me a t-shirt and when I went back to the hotel I forgot it at the bar.

I know not as interesting of a story as I made it sound in the title.

After the conference was over we had some time to go to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Winnipeg Jets game.  Tickets were cheap and it was interesting going to a game in a new city.  One of the interesting elements was that when we walked in the front door I was given a hug by a cheerleader and had my picture taken with a couple of them.

The funny thing was again this was a tiny little gesture on her part.  She is paid to be there and greet people as they come in but this tiny little gesture put a smile on my face for the rest of the day, on a day when I was very tired and feeling stressed out.







We don't know the kind of impact we have on people but it is important that I learn to let God's love flow through me wherever I am.

My prayer is that God would keep building a better me.

Our mission trip to Romania from my 9 year old's diary

Day 1 

We just arrived.  We are sleeping in an apartment.  We arrrived at 3:00 AM.  We all slept till supper then we went to a church, my dad did a little speech(with a translator).  We all made some new friends.
Lesson:  Even if you can't speak the language you can still make friends.


Day 2
Today we went Christmas carolling with the people we met at the church.  Then we went back to the church to warmup.  We had lunch but I didn't have any.  Then Vanessa, Cole and our translator practiced some music together.  They played at the church in Roseti.
Lesson:  Even if you can't speak the language you can still learn.


Day 3
Today we went to 2 church services.  The first one was like our services at church back home.  The pastor talked about how Jesus came at the perfect time, at the perfect place and died on the right day.  The second service was at the Hope Center where meals were served for the poor kids.  The leader there talked about the true Christmas story.  They we handed out cookies and Samaritan Purse boxes.
Lesson: Small things can make a difference.


Day 4
Today we learned the tradition that the Romanians do for Christmas.  They kill a pig in their own backyards and have it for Christmas dinner.After the first feast we split up, went to people's houses to pray for them.  Then we met up and went carolling again.
Lesson: Even if you are not the same you can still bless each other.


Day 5
Today, Christmas day, we had our own service at our apartment.  We talked about what happened in the last year that stood out.  Then we went to the Hope Center for supper.
Lesson: Giving is the best gift.


Day 6
Today, after lunch, we went to the Hope Center and played games with the gypsy children.  Vanessa taught the grade 4 kids the recorders that she brought.  Then after supper we went to some other houses to pray.  It was a nice short day.


Day 7
Today we went to a church, had supper, went for a walk before the church service.  We saw Bulgaria.  I am enjoying learning some of the Romanian language.  I am practicing all the time.
Lesson:  Learning is one of the keys to life.

Day 8
Our last full day here.  In the morning we went shopping to make food hampers for some poor families.  After we made up the bags and boxes we set off to deliver the food.  We prayed for the people when we delivered the boxes.  One of the houses didn't have any food or firewood so we returned with some firewood as well.  Then we went to a youth church service.
Lesson: Anything is possible with Jesus.

Good vs Evil

I have heard a number of people talk about how there is a spiritual realm to this world that we do not see.  In it there is a fight between good and evil.  The Bible talks about how there are forces up against us that we don't see.  Some people carry this thought too far and blame everything on external forces around them when sometimes troubles are just part of life.  My mistake is more that I ignore the fight going on around me and as a result I fail to adequately prepare myself to face these things.

The Bible warns us to be prepared to face these trials.

Ephesians 6:10-12 declares, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Notice that it is God's power that keeps us strong not our own.

I had the coolest Christmas ever this year.  We got to hand out Christmas boxes to children that have very little.  We got to hand out food hampers to families that had little or no food.  I can not think of a better way to spend the holidays than what we did in Romania this year.  I had my family with me and it was an amazing thing to share with them.

An interesting part of our trip though was on Christmas eve.  We had been having a great time helping and serving so far but for some reason that night I was left with this feeling of dread that I could not shake.  I didn't really talk to anyone about it and I'm not sure if I ever will, if you are reading this then obviously I made this post public.  For hours after everyone else was in bed I was filled with feelings of anger, sadness, despair, and a loneliness that I don't think I have ever experienced before.  At 3 AM I almost decided to go for a jog but being in a foreign country with dogs outside that seem to rule the night I couldn't even go do that.  I was stuck there and all I could do was pray.

I ended up getting about an hour of sleep that night.  The next day was Christmas and I was worried about how this day would go.  When I got out of bed Vanessa had put on a Christmas tree picture on the laptop and had a couple of gifts there for everyone.  Charity seemed to want to sit with me a lot and unknowingly was a tremendous amount of comfort.  Whenever we walked anywhere she would come grab my hand and we would walk together.

We continued to serve and help while we were there in Romania and had an amazing time playing with the kids at the Hope Center on boxing day, delivering more food, praying with people in their homes.  It was a great trip and I believe we were some form of encouragement to the people there.

I am still dealing with the effects of Christmas eve.  I am still trying to process what was going on there and my confidence (arrogance) is a little shaken.  

I end this entry with a warning.  Our church is sending some youth on another missions trip soon.  We need to cover them in prayer.  We need to make sure they are prepared for the trip before they go.  One of the girls from our church going can quote more Bible verses than anyone I know.  When Jesus was tempted he responded with quoting the scriptures and she will be able to do this.  We just need to be a support to them as they go.  We need to teach our children to draw near to God as that is the only protection they will have.

I doubt this entry will ever be made public as I am still trying to make sense of it all but if you do read it be encouraged to draw near to God.  It is his power that will keep you strong in times of trouble.  The things of this world will fail.

Christmas in Romania by Vanessa

Christmas in Romania

For over a year, our family prayed, planned, and packed. Then we prayed some more, changed our plans, and re-packed. We knew we’d be spending a week somewhere (later we found out it was Romania) helping people and sharing God’s love. But we really didn’t know what to expect.

Just like that, it’s all over. What a great experience it was! So many awesome and new things happened. I feel like if we had stayed there longer we could have gotten closer to more of the people there.

My definition of a “mission’s trip” has certainly changed. I left home with the idea that I was going to do big things to really impact the people there. At first when we got there, I didn’t feel like I was doing big things. But it turns out that sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference in people’s lives. What did we do, you might ask. Our week in Romania consisted mostly of travelling from village to village, praying for people, delivering food hampers, attending church services, and playing with the kids. I even got to take out my clarinet a few times!

I also learned that people in Romania are no different than the people at home in Canada. People everywhere struggle with health problems, grief, family separation, debt, abortion, depression—and the list goes on. People everywhere need the hope of Jesus—God’s Love. That means, as Christians, we need to be on a mission’s trip all the time, wherever we are. Right now for me, that could be Kindersley, Brandon, or Romania.

I think I left a piece of my heart in Romania. The amounts of blessings we have poured out on the people don’t amount to the expanse of blessings we have received from them. The Outstretched Hands of Romania team is a wonderful group of people. I’m looking forward to going back at some point in the future.

It’s hard to find words to describe this whole experience. I feel a lot like the lady who was so happy to receive a food hamper from us. She said she didn’t have the words to tell us how happy she was, yet she wouldn’t stop talking!

Coming all this way to see God work gives me a bigger picture of who He is. His love is bigger than I could ever imagine.

One day at a prayer meeting in Romania, Janelle brought this verse up. It has become a new favourite of mine:

Joshua 3:5 – Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

A Small Act of Kindness

We left for Romania two weeks ago with hearts full of love and hope, praying that we would find somewhere that we could make a difference.  A place that we could help others and share some of the blessings that our lives have been filled with to this point.

It was a great two weeks for my family and we wouldn't trade this experience for anything.  We are now back in Canada and while we were in Romania we were able to put some smiles on some people's faces.  The interesting thing though is that while we were attempting to bless people there they were blessing us at the same time.  I don't think it would be possible for us to have an impact on their lives as much as they impacted ours.  Three of my kids kept journals of our adventures and I asked them to share some highlights they had on my blog so that will be coming in the future.

Throughout our time their I was overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy.  I wanted to make life better for everyone.  I wanted to help all the children.  I wanted to feed all the hungry, heal all the sick, mend the broken families.  I wanted to make this world a better place.  The truth is all I could do was this one small act of kindness.

We were able to make some people smile.  We made a number of new friends.  We played with children who couldn't speak with us because we didn't understand their language, they did know how to throw snowballs though.  We gave presents to some, food to others.  One lady was so happy we brought her a food hamper she said she was speechless, then continued to talk so long and fast that our translator gave us with a shrug of his shoulders and said, "she is happy."

At the same time it was heartbreaking  to see the brokenness of many of the families, the lack of hope many had with no work to be found, the struggles with addictions, the unusually high numbers of abortions.

It was also very humbling when you see the gratefulness of the people there.  One place where we dropped off a food hamper the mother was 35 years old.  She had 8 children and lived in a two room house.  The one  room was taken up by a sick grandmother so the rest of them had to live in the other bedroom/kitchen/dining room/laundry room.  She explained how grateful she was because she has been able to feed her entire family once a day all winter long.  I had a hard time getting over that comment.

All I can give is a small act of kindness.  It sounds small but when passed on to others and more people join in then the one small act of kindness becomes a great thing.  That is how one small act of kindness changes the world.  It doesn't start or end with me.  I am just passing on the blessings that I have had because of my great parents, my family, my friends and because I have spent most of my life following the teachings of Jesus.