Apps and quads

Surveyed my students this week about apps they use for school. Not surprizingly, they do not use their technology for educational purposes. They only ones I got were calculator and dictionary.
Showed my classes the various applications available through Google. Next year, I will start the class with students setting up a gmail account and basic intro into docs (all areas). They are not really receiving any practical technology at school. I don't know how we have been buying so much technology that no one is actually using.
Assignment: Think about the activities/lessons you have completed this week. What quadrant would the majority of them fall into? What is the highest quadrant you reached? Describe a change you could make to bump up the quadrant of that lesson.
Most of the lessons this week were in quads A and B. We are starting a new unit on economics and are covering vocabulary and basic concepts; background information. Also, did some updates on current affairs. I try to do that at least once a week. Some times we spend a few minutes; sometimes most of the period.
We used SAS in School to explore the question "Are Regressive Taxes Fair?" Most of students do not think so...Steve was surprised his don't think so either. We also saw a brief (18 minute) film about the basics of Capitalism. While that was some variety; we may have hit C briefly; but not a strong push.
In a perfect world, I would like students to review the main ideas in the text and make their own video presentation about the contentgs to present to the others. However, at this point, there is not enough time. I want the spend most of our remaing time on personal finance; which keeps us in the upper quads the majority of the time. Many of my students really need this information...way before I can get to it in March and April.

Using apps

Haven't really used an app with my students this week. We have used PP and word processing (which are just substitutions for previous technology). I pay attention.
Anyway, many are using their Kindle app to read books on their iPad or tablet.It is nice to hear them talk about reading anything! I use mine on my computer as well. The larger print is nice when it gets later at night. I do not wear glasses, but have other vision challenges. I also use magazine apps for the hard copies I receive, so I have more access to the information.
A lot of the applications I read about seems to be using the technology to replace something; noy necessarily to improve the learning experience. I tried to get my students to use the textbook CD at home instead of the book when I taught World History. The students wouldn't do it. Even though the CD had many interactive sections with maps, stories, etc. They just wanted the answer (hopefully highlighted).
Had problem with DVD playing in laptop this week. Had to install different video reader; then was OK. Meanwhile, went "old school" and used DVD player.

Practical Skills

21st Century skills should include those practical skills that students need to succeed in the "real" world, not just teaching technology for the "heck" of it.This week we completed a 1040EZ form and FAFSA as part of of our Civics instruction.

What changes can you make in the way you design lessons to include more 21st century skills more often? I have been adding more and more current events to my class, to encourage student participation and make it relevant.
Personal finance is a large part of second semester studies and for many students it has relevance. However, there are also students who do not see any relevance because they are still at home and their parents pay their bills.
No lesson will meet the interets and needs of all students.

Apps intro

Played with the iPad some. I have a Kindle Fire; but that is as close to the technology I have experienced. Fire is easier to manipulate.
Downloaded a few few apps. Mona sent us some information today about some apps that would be good for school. Also, I can get some free from Amazon Apps.If I find something fabulous I will post.
Would like to use the iPad with my Intelliboard since it died years ago. There is always money for new; but not to repair and I did not get a replacement.
I keep maps taped to my whiteboard so no one will write on it.  My room is used for community night classes and SAT/ACT on weekends; so there are people in it constantly.

Projector problems

My lap top in the classroom attached to my projector was having problems. My lap top was taken out to be re-imaged. It could not be re-imaged, so I was given another one. Seemed to work OK until I wanted to use a PowerPoint this week.
My PowerPoint looked fine on the computer screen, but when projected, only part of the screen was visible. I could move around to see all part; but that is not conducive to a class discussion, especially for 6 classes. Really frustrating.
Mona (sysop) came in to see if she could fix it. Finally got it usable; but the underlying problem was never really removed.
Played around a little with iPad; still need to get iTune cards.