Ready to Rock and Roll

I got a grant for $1000 thanks to the wonderful Dysart Education Education Foudnation for a couple of more iPads and some apps. I am going to stick with iPad 2's as they are a little cheaper. I thought about the minis but the loss of real estate/screen space is problematic for solving math equations. I am still waiting on the cart, 13 iPads and Macbook. I should have a total of 15. It is a decent start. I am still toying with the process and I am sure that it will morph many times over. The plan is to go fully integrate iPads into my Algebra classes before the end of the month assuming the cart is here by the end of next week. Hopefully my research, hours of webinars and my passion for teaching kids math will pay off for a more rewarding experience for my students.
update: not an hour after I wrote this the cart, MacBook Air and iPads are delivered. The Adventure Begins...

Santas coming to town

I received my first iPad from Julia yesterday. She is my district technology go-to person. She is great. We talked about how about the process of receiving the iPads and what apps I would need. I will have a separate iTunes account that I will use to download apps. The new iPad is nifty. It even had a cool cover. (I asked if all of them will come that way - Julia didn't know.). I am getting the cart either right before the holidays or right after. I have a place in the room for the cart. The cart will be attached to the wall so it can't roll away on its own. The cart itself will have a separate lock. IT is even throwing in a couple of iPods.

As far as an implementation plan it is in the works. I know that I can't go completely paperless so I need to start small and work my way up. I am going to start with a survey using Socrative that I got from another teacher Kara Kujawa in the district.

Now, I need to provide Julia with a list of free apps that they will put on the iPads with Apple's Configurator program.

So much to learn...

Ask and ye shall receive

So my principal pulled me into his office a couple of weeks ago. You know for that split second when you are trying to think what did I do wrong and how can I spin it? Well, he saw the look and he calmed me down stating that this a good thing. He closed the door and told me that I might be getting about 15 Ipads, a cart and a MacBook. I nearly plotzed right there. I have been telling everyone I know about my wish to do this and my boss, Jim Grieshaber, made it happen for me. Last week, it became official. I will start off with 13 Ipads, a cart and a MacBook. It will be my Christmas present so to speak. I get them in January. Now, as I spend many an hour determining which apps will be of the best use I also have to solidify an implemenation plan. Joy to the world, hear the Thomas sing....

Mini grant

Applied for a local mini grant for $1000 for a couple of iPads. I figure I can work out kinks and see what apps best help students. I will find out if I get it in December.

I have been playing with iBook Author. Pretty nifty.

I now have an iPad2!

  First blog on my new iPad2! I have downloaded almost 100 apps in the last 24 hours. I got my MacBook upgraded by Vali at eRecycle in Peoria.  Best part... It was free. Vali is a great guy. Since I bought the MacBook from him last month he upgraded to Lion from snow leopard  it for nothing.  I then upgraded to 10.7.5 allowing me to download iBook Author. I then  downloaded a free manual on how to use iAuthor from O'Reilly press. Read it and now have to outline a book and get cracking. I am going to start with the Algebra 2 course that I am teaching. Going to work on grant for google tomorrow. This keyboard on the iPad is not bad. I don't see the point in getting a Bluetooth one now.

Ipad2 is on its way

I ordered my iPad2 last night from Verizon. It's Certified Pre-Owned and it has 3G if and when I want to activate it. A brand new Ipad2 is $400 so it was only another $30. I am still trying to find a computer that has Mountain Lion. I cannot find one that is in my price range ($500). I am going to try MacMedia and trade in my laptop <fingers crossed>. Ipad will be here on Tuesday.

Grants, grants and more grants

Found a Google grant that may be promising. STEM Rise grant for $20,000. Deadline is 10/31/12 so I know what I will be doing now over Fall Break. Applying for this and other grants and exploring the Ipad's features! Woohoo! Found tons of apps. Now just the minor detail of getting an Ipad to play with to determine which ones I will want to use in my classes. This weekend for sure I will have one in my hand.