Wednesday, September 24, 2014

iPad Introductory Lessons

Here at Pine Glen Elementary School, our elementary students each have their own iPad to be used as a tool to enhance and support their learning.  As the instructional technology specialist, I can often be found at the beginning of the school year, in classrooms giving introductory iPad lessons to students.  

Mrs. Ardizzoni
During these lessons, I discuss important topics such as the basic operations of an iPad and its use and care.  Once the basics have been established, we are off on a learning quest to put those basic operation skills into practice.  Typically, I have the students locate and open the Drawing Pad App, which every student has available to them on their iPad.  From there, students use just one finger to select a crayon, marker, or colored pencil that allows them to "draw" with, and they create a picture of their own choice. Drawing Pad is an intuitive App that every student, at all grade levels can easily feel successful with, as early as their first time using it.  These introductory lessons are building a skill set of vocabulary, gestures, icon recognition, familiarity with their iPad, and self-confidence using technology, that students will transfer and apply to other areas of their learning.


Thursday, September 4, 2014

Welcome



As the 2014-2015 school year begins here in Burlington, we wish all of our students, parents, and volunteers a warm welcome. This year, the Pine Glen Library and Technology Center has a new librarian, Mrs. Martha Ogren and a new instructional technology teacher, Mrs. Michelle Ardizzoni. Mrs. Ogren has taught at the Pine Glen Elementary for many years, and in many teaching roles. Mrs. Ardizzoni has been teaching for five years as both an elementary teacher and an instructional technology teacher. Together we are looking forward to teaching the students of Pine Glen. Let's have a great year.