One to One Teachnology?

Does anyone use one to one technology at their school? We don't have anything in place, but when I was at Breckenridge I went to a sectional in which the leader asked "What are you afraid of?" He was referring to letting kids bring in their device to use it during class.

Well instantly I could think of a million things I was afraid of...they were the things I was doing as he spoke: Halfheartedly taking notes while browsing Pintrest and checking blogs, Social networks, in appropriate website, etc.

Enter my amazing husband. He LOVES to dink around with technology. He's a software engineer. He stares at a computer all day then comes home and stares at a different one some more. Sound like fun? That's my idea of non-fun...teach all day and then come home and teach more?! No thanks! Anyway, I digress... My amazing husband build a firewall for our school that not successfully keeps me from ever accessing Facebook at school, among other things.

I'm no longer worried about what my kids will get onto because I know that they can't get on anything they shouldn't be on, so now I want to let them bring their devices...

So I did. Monday one of my students brought in a tablet she had received for her birthday. I'm not sure how to help her use it productively in class yet. Tuesday another girl brought in a cute mini, purple laptop...NOW we're talking. Today I had my 6 kids set up at 3 computers working on something for Science. It was glorious! They love to play review games so I put them to work on making their own review game for Science. Each group got a section from the chapter to work on. They ate it up! They are getting another chance to review their Science and they are working on their computer skills! WIN!

Anyone know of any blogs where the teacher/blogger is using a one to one program? I'd love to learn/read about how to incorporate letting students bring their own devices into the classroom.

New Website Find!

This is a website I found when looking for PowerPoint backgrounds for my class. {Click Here} They are free!!! Though sometimes they are in a default language other than English so you have to change that. I've used some cute ones for Science and my daily schedule.

Maybe you have already used this site, but I had to share it!

Teacher's Conference=AWESOME!

My life is pretty rough right now, let me tell you why...I'm at a teacher's conference in Breckenridge, Colorado, surrounded by beautiful mountains, tons of teachers with great ideas, beautiful fall changing Aspen's, and a handful of pastors, DCE's and other church workers.

Our LCMS district church workers conference is held every October.  I came up on Tuesday and heard Dr. Lisa Meyers speak about getting technology rolling in the classroom/school.  It was a phenomenal presentation.  I wish I had brought my 7th & 8th grade teacher with me!  It was great!

Last night I went to a sectional on Digital Story.  Have you ever used it?  It looks great!  I think I might have my students do their next book report as a digital story.  The potential is so great at all grade levels!  I can't wait to figure out how to implement it.

I love when I can go to conferences and learn about things and be able to implement them into my classroom/school.  Last year I was disappointed because we discussed the accreditation process, which I enjoyed and interests me but unfortunately our school is just not ready for that step.  We struggle yearly to continue to keep our doors open.  So this year I'm over the top with excitement about taking stuff home and really using what I've learned/I'm learning. 

If you have used Digital Story in your classroom, I'd love to hear about it.  If you've blogged about it, will you do me a favor, share the link to that post in your blog in a comment to me?  Thanks!