Setting them loose!

Yesterday was an exciting day at Grant Elementary Room 201. Team Eastman has their iPad Minis! I worked last week to get all 21 iPads imaged and cased. We were lucky to have an assortment of colors to use, so I tried to mix and match to make as many different combinations as possible. That way, because this classroom will be 1:1, the students will have an easier time identifying their iPad. 

In order to prepare for their arrival, the class came up with a set of expectations for how they should use the iPads. They wrote their list on a piece of chart paper and had everyone sign it. The students had some great examples of proper usage like always using two hands and to ask questions if they get stuck. Good examples that we all, including teachers, should practice.

So at last it was time for passing out the iPads. I decided to give the intro to the scavenger hunt first. Basically, if they had the iPads in their little hands, there would be no way they would be able to focus on me. So I gave them a few pointers about turning it on, using Smart Search, and using the Home button to get back to the main screen. Ms. Eastman then called them up in partnerships to pick out their new iPad and start the hunt. 

It was so fun to watch them work. Several groups, who obviously listened to my great advice, immediately searched for the right apps using the Smart Search and were off to a great start. It wasn't long until Ms. Eastman started to receive emails with goofy pictures made by PhotoBooth. Lots of goofy pictures (we'll have to work on our email self-control). Google Earth was showing them the street view outside the school. Actually, the most difficult part for the students was the task to take a serious selfie. Go figure. But by the end of the time, everyone had their picture on the lock screen. I think that's going to come in handy. 

It was a fast but fun hour of work. I think the students got a nice taste of the different things the iPad could do for them. It definitely sparked their enthusiasm. We heard several "I love iPads" and even a "you're my favorite teacher because you have iPads". Not sure if Ms. Eastman liked the qualifier on that last one, but I'd take it.