Elementary, My Dear Reader...

I was excited when talk of my joining this TLLP project began.  I differ from the other members in that my teaching area is in the elementary field.  I had, at one point, considered myself a fairly tech-savvy person, but I lacked either the creativity to adapt technology into my daily practice, or, I didn't have the technology available to me.  I transitioned to a new school last September and, by some accounts, it is one of those schools facing the "app gap."  I tried making use of the Smart Board on the rolling cart but the lack of wireless connectivity, the need for a 50' ethernet cable, and the logistics needed to move desks and kids to enable the movement of that juggernaut around the classroom proved difficult.  We also have one computer lab shared with approximately 600 JK - Grade 8 students.  How could I help my students bridge into 21st Century Fluencies when I was lacking the technology piece?

Fast forward to this summer.  I began to look at the functionality of 1 tablet in the classroom.  Luckily for me, I had accumulated an array of people on my Twitter PLN (professional learning network) who had experience with tablets in the classroom.  There were also several people posting links to "1 Ipad in the Classroom" websites on Pinterest and other social media venues.  When the opportunity to utilize more then 1 tablet presented itself, I felt like I could embark on my own learning journey, help others in the same situation, and more importantly, help my students.

My focus for the use of the tablets in the classroom is two-fold.  First, and probably least important, is to cut down on the amount of paper used, and hanging, in my classroom.  I love chart paper but, being an adult with attentional and distractibility issues, it can overwhelm me.  If it has that impact on me, I can imagine what it means for some of my 9 and 10 year olds.  With students creating, solving, and sharing on the tablets, and recording or saving these endeavours, I could have evidence of their curriculum and learning skills progress that would be of benefit during reporting.  

The most important reason, and also the main focus of my contributions to this blog, is for me to increase the amount of feedback and assessment my students experience.  The more they are able to engage in that feedback loop of teaching and on-going assessment, they are bound to make stronger gains.  I was familiar with feedback early in my teaching career but it was certainly improved and heightened by this summer's reading of How To Give Effective Feedback To Your Students by Susan M.  Brookhart (2008, ASCD).  My goal is to give my students more, and better, feedback this year and it is my intent that the use of tablets will help me in this endeavour.  I look forward to your reading about my journey and welcome your comments and questions.

Brian