We had our first face to face class meeting Saturday, August 21 at ISU with four students participating at a distance (Samy, Cheryl, Kim and Erin). We actually started before classes officially start at ISU (August 23), so we are already ahead of the game.
Our first meeting included four goals: meet each other, learn about course expectations, learn about the theoretical base for the class and have some fun. I think we did OK in all four areas, but the students are the ones who can comment on that. I find that these face to face meetings are very important to me as I work to connect with each student and establish a base for a relationship that will grow in our work together over the semester.
Highlights of the day included Crystal's ability to identify each student by name at the end of our day together, the interaction with the "old people" at lunch, Dennis's introduction to some Ipad apps, and the beginning of some interesting Logo experiences.
Our connections with the four distance students were not perfect, but all four hung in there with us. We will work to make these connections a bit more seamless the next time around.
I think that our Facebook entries this week will help with our relationship building and we already have interesting posts from Kim, Carrie, Dennis and Doug. I look forward to the posts and pictures from others this week.
I totally enjoyed the chance to "try out" the Ipads. I am going to actively seek to find some for my classroom. This is a great tool for putting technology in the hands of the students.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoyed the iPad exploration. It was also nice having lunch with the "old" cohort and being able to pick their brains. I'm looking forward to a great semester!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed meeting everyone at the face to face meeting. I was really impressed with the camaraderie that had been established among members of both cohorts. I also appreciated having the chance to share information on the iPads. It is an exciting new tool that provides some interesting new possibilities. I look forward to getting to know everyone as the course continues. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteit was fun to see everyone again at the face to face meeting! I was also glad to have to opportunity to get up to Ames and see how the city was doing after the flooding.
ReplyDeleteThe iPads were fun to play with, but I had even more fun with LOGO. I had never seen it before and am sad that I never got to play around with it as a child. I think 5 year-old me would have had a blast with it!
I was so excited to play with the iPads. Ever since they came out I wanted one, but I was just nervous that they would not be worth the money or that they were to much like the itouch.
ReplyDeleteNow I would like to research even more to see how they might fit in the classroom.
I enjoyed Dennis' ipad presentation too! I was waiting for the 2nd generation to come out, but now I am thinking Santa may just have to deliver one to our house for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI am also going to get one for my classroom through Scholastic bonus points. After this month's orders, I will have enough saved up. Now, I actually have some ways to apply some learning to it too ;)
Since I was at a distance, I wasn't able to play with the IPads ... and I must admit, I was a little jealous ;-) After class, I snagged my boyfriend's IPad and explored the great resources Dennis shared - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to another great semester with this cohort!
I actually had a chance to work with an iPad here in St. Joseph...my husband had just gotten one from his employer, so I worked with his while Dennis was explaining it!
ReplyDeleteOnce I got going with it, I loved LOGO too! It was hard to stop once I had "completed" the assignment.
ReplyDeleteIt was great being back on campus with everyone. I really enjoyed chatting at lunch and finding out that many of us had the same experiences this summer! Whew! I LOVED playing with LOGO, it brought back memories of elementary school and the Apple IIE computers that I first learned it on in about 3rd grade. So cool. I wish we would have had more time to play. I also really enjoyed the Ipad intro. I have an i touch and downloaded some of the apps that we were introduced to in class, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI was really surprised at how much I enjoyed the LOGO assignment. I was worried when I saw the description, but actually doing the programming was fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was great to be able to add to my list of apps that I want to check out in the "real-world." Though I was disappointed earlier this week to see that Apple would most likely not be putting cameras in their ipads but instead in the touches. So now I'm back to debating which one would be the most beneficial to my students.
ReplyDeleteWould anyone like to weigh in?
It was great to get a chance to reinforce names with faces. After exploring the ipads... I want one! It seems that other companies such as Samsung are close to releasing their own version of the technology. I'm excited to see the prices become more competitive!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the ipad demo and now I want one too!! I don't have an iphone either, so I feel like I need a tutorial just in apps.
ReplyDeletehttp://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100901/apple-music-event-2010/
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to the big Apple announcement yesterday. The new ipads will have a wireless printing feature, but still no camera or Beatles.
Hello all, again! I too enjoyed working with the iPads, after leaving there, I thought I needed one. I have now had a reality check, I don't need another itouch, just bigger! It was good to see everyone, and practice names, but please understand I am the worst person when it comes to remembering names. Hope everyone is off to a great new school year!
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed the face to face meetings. It is nice to see the people behind the conversations. This group is so helpful. It makes me breathe a little easier to know that support is there if needed.
ReplyDeleteIt was a real joy getting to see everyone again, I like having an occasional once a semester face to face meeting to discuss the successes and challenges. It really does help to build camaraderie amongst our group. The ipads were great to be able to experiment with, I had not used one before, but I can definately see myself using one in classes in the future.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Tucson!
ReplyDeleteWow, work has been outlandishly busy! We've had my partner I guess you could say, out since August 18 for both vacation, and the last with Valley Fever, Pneumonia, and her auto-immune system shut down so she has other complications like Rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, and low lung capacity. Her responsibilities at work equals 10% of the over total for the year, so guess who has been working at about 150% there, come home and am wiped out!
I apologize for not being available for these weeks, I'm hoping she'll be back on Monday, but that is a TBD. It won't be full time, I doubt.
I also know I have missed out on the discussions. I have read them and will be interacting with them this weekend. Again, sorry for the delay. Best, Cheryl