Reflector for iPads- and a teaser bonus app (TinyTap)

If you have iPads in your classroom and like to share student work or creations but don't have an Apple TV I have a solution for you! Or if you want to demo an app but don't have an Apple TV to easily show your device to a large audience I also have a solution for you! It's called Reflector. So here's what it does. You simply activate the software and Air Play your device to the computer by toggling on the mirror option.

If you want to download it follow these directions- you'll have to be at school, connected to the network to do these things if you're in RCISD:

In RCISD, go to Software Center on your computer (search for it in the search box of the start menu). 

In Software Center, select Reflector and click install- it's a pink and orangeish icon with iPads on it. 

After you download it, you just double click on the icon to activate it. 

Then on your device (make sure it's connected to the staff internet), swipe up and go to Air Play.

When you click on Air Play you'll find your device there to choose from (in RCISD it'll appear as your last name).

Just click on your device you want to connect to and toggle the button to mirroring and VOILA! Your device will show on your computer.

I love using Reflector, especially when limited by the amount of devices I have. Here's some ways I like to use it:

• turns my board into an "interactive" board where kids in a small group can play a game together and not be huddled around the iPad screen- they can all see the picture.

• whole group quick checks- I'll pass around an iPad with either a good game I've previewed for an informal assessment or I'll create an informal assessment using an app like TinyTap (love that app for this activity). Anyway, I'll start it off with kid A and pass the iPad along to a different kid for each ?. Everyone is participating and I can observe who's getting each one, who's getting it a little slower, who is relying on their neighbor, and who is just not getting it. TinyTap is fun too and kids can play the games at home that you create or search for other pre created games via the iPad app or a web browser! 

Click here to view my TinyTap profile and games I've created for kindergarten and 1st grade.

• Demoing an app or wanting kids to follow along and go here or there on the device- it's so hard to do when you've got them huddled around your device while you sit in your reading chair... Reflect your device and demo the new app to them on the big screen. It's great too for doing the app the first time, all together as a whole group so everyone can follow step-by-step.

Till next time techies!

SailOn! with interactive games

So we know we can use games we've made/ bought and sites like ABCYa or StarFall games as technology learning centers on our interactive boards but do you know about SailOn! ?

I didn't until a wonderful team member showed it to me, and I'm hooked! So here's where you need to go to get to it... (click the image)

So when you get to SailOn! you'll select your area: Elementary/ Intermediate/ High School, and then you'll select your grade level. Now here's the best part... it's broken down by Texas learning standards for each activity... so you know it is aligned! YESSSSSS!!!! There are games for student/ small group as well as class games you can do whole group. So, go check it out!

Now if you don't have an interactive board in your room or you're just not comfortable with yours, you can still participate. These games can go in a computer station or you can use a wireless mouse away from your computer for students to participate in the same way. Check out this blog by Classroom Teacher Blog on the benefits of using a wireless mouse and wireless keyboard... it may totally rock your world and change your teaching life forever! Till next time techies!

With iMovie, everyone can be a movie producer!

I love creating movies. Software and apps out there for this are now so simple to use. Believe it or not, they actually function like PowerPoint now! It's a slides format or drag-and-drop style to create your segments of the video and then you can drag them around to change the order if need be. There are a lot of different video makers out there but the one I want to focus on is iMovie, simply because it's easy, it works off of your camera roll, you can easily use pictures or videos or both, and it's already on our devices.

So when you open iMovie, you get to choose between creating a movie or creating a trailer. Here's the differences:

Creating a Movie

• it's a totally blank canvas
• you can use iMovie's themes and theme music 
• you can add titles, caption text, and credits
• all you do is drop in images or video you've already taken
• after you drop that stuff in you can add transitions between each clip
• you can trim clips
• you can mute clips
• you can add audio on top of clips or just use the audio from the video
• you can upload to your camera roll or YouTube 

Here's an example using create a movie option:

And here's a student example:

Creating a Trailer

• you select a theme
• you don't get to change the music
• you don't get to change the font
• you don't get to change the template
• it gives you a planning template (insert character here/ action picture here/ etc)
• you can use video or pictures
• you can't record audio over your trailer
• look great when finished

Here's an example using the create a trailer option:

And here's a student example:

I love using iMovie to create picture books or if the kids have gone on a scavenger hunt, it's a great way to drop all the images into one place. Trailers are great for kids to tell a summary or show quick comprehension of a topic. Last year they even used trailers to show understanding in math and science. Check out those videos here by the wonderful Mrs. Lancaster and Mrs. Griffith's students!

So, as the year goes on and your looking for some fun assessments you should certainly consider iMovie. It's fast and easy and the only prep it needs is some pictures. As always I'm here for any help you may need! Till next time techies!