The Dos and Don'ts for Integrating iPads | Edutopia

The Dos and Don'ts for Integrating iPads | Edutopia

This would be great if my school followed some of the tips for educators.  We have been given too much freedom with them.  We just kinda do what we want to do with them.  Some teachers never let their students use them.  I let my students use them all the time, but don't always monitor their learning with them.  I have found that I need to use them more deliberately.  I am spending more time using them for centers/stations with the kids.  One app that I really like is Brownie points, but I am not going to buy the workbooks.  It works fine as a station without all that money spent.  Plus it is going to take them a minute to get through the workbooks that come with it.  We also didn't get any money from the school to buy apps.

Making Friends With Failure | Edutopia

Making Friends With Failure | Edutopia

I feel this sooooo deeply.  My students fail so often that even though we do everything we possibly can to try and build them up and help them to understand their disability, they still feel that they are stupid.  I watch them in regular class and even in fun learning games, they often don't participate.  I try not to get the teachers to give them the super obvious very easy answers.  They do so much better if they struggle and learn to ask for a little help or accept help from their team and friends.  I encourage a room of acceptance and support.  I demand that they accept each other and support each other and do not put each other down.  The world will put them down enough without them doing it to their friends.  We also discuss the fact that you don't have to like everyone you know and that you do not put people down just because you do not like them.