Category Archives: iPads in the Classroom

Green Wall

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As of today we now have a green wall for students to use for video projects!  It can be found in the hallway on the way up to the Tech Office and the paint hardly had time to dry before our students started using the wall for projects this morning.  This should be a great addition for Upper School students, but anyone at Pike should feel welcome to use it.

A green screen can be a great way for students (and teachers) to be creative with digital media.  If you are looking for ideas, the following article has a lot of good information about How to Integrate a Green Screen Wall into any classroom.  Please be in touch with the Tech Dept. if you would like help trying any of these ideas.

Special Thanks to Maintenance who literally 
turned this wall     —–>    to this overnight!

Thank you so much to Rick, Mark, Watson and Will for making this happen!!!

Periodic Table of VR and AR Apps

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The New Periodic Table Of iPad Apps for Augmented and Virtual Reality was created by Mark Anderson @ICTEvangelist and curated by Steve Bambury @VIRTUALITEACH 

There is a new periodic table of apps devoted entirely to augmented and virtual reality iOS apps that can be used in the classroom.  Click here to read the entire post about this amazing new tool created by Mark Anderson and Steve Bambury. The periodic table is broken down into 8 categories (STEM, Creativity, Geography, Story Telling, Art, Teaching, Science and History) so you can look at it by color according to the subject you are interested in. There is also an interactive version of the Periodic Table of VR and AR apps on Thinglink so you that can easily located all the apps mentioned on the chart.

So far, I had fun exploring the Renwick Gallery Wonder 360 app in the Art category and was able to virtually travel to Washington, DC and experience some contemporary large scale installations made with unexpected materials from the comfort of my chair at Pike.


If you are looking for new tools that could help you integrate AR or VR into your classroom this could be what you were looking for to spark some ideas and get you started. If you need further help please be in touch with the Tech Department.

Capture, organize, and share student thinking with Post-it Note Plus

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Some teachers have students use post it notes to handwrite feedback about topics or as an exit ticket after class.  Do you use post it notes in your class or have you wanted to try something like this?  If so, the Post it Note Plus App will be a great addition to your technology toolbox.  Post it Note Plus allows you to scan a group of Post it notes to a digital board where you can sort, organize, add notes, and share the board with others. Click the image below to watch a short video with specifics about how to use this useful app. Have you used this app? How might you use this app in your classroom?  Share your thoughts so we can learn from each other.  

Google Expeditions – Field Trips from the Comfort of your Classroom

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Google Expeditions allows you to take your class on a Virtual Fieldtrip. Tour the Aztec and Mayan Ruins, the International Space Station, or Gettysburg National Military park. You can do all of this with your classroom iPads. When using Expeditions, you become the leader on your iPad and students join you on the tour with their iPads. Edtech teacher has created and quick video to show you how this works. Start by downloading the app on your iPad.  After that, you will be ready to take your students on a virtual Field Trip!

The Educator’s Guide to Copyright, Fair Use and Creative Commons

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Digital copyright awareness is an important responsibility that often gets overlooked or can be easily misunderstood.  The Educator’s Guide to Copyright, Fair Use and Creative Commons is an excellent explanation of the many layers of responsible use and has many resources for teachers and students to use when working with or creating online content.  

In addition to the educator’s guide, Fran and Linda also recommend the links below:
Cyberbee interactive copyright Q and A (Flash version) (non-Flash version)
Be Copyright Cool Google Slides presentation by Brisbane Catholic Education

We encourage you to check this information out, since understanding digital copyright is an essential skill for students.  Also, remember that we have excellent in house resources about this topic, so be sure to be in touch with Fran and Linda in the Library if you have more questions or need help.

Quick Tips For Removing Distractions

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iPad or iPhone  – Use the do not disturb feature. This will silence notifications on your device so you can work distraction free.  

Laptop – Close all apps. Turn off all notifications. Only use one app at time.

Extra Challenge – To give yourself larger blocks of time to focus. Check email only 2 or 3 times a day.

What works for you?  Let us know in the comments.

SeeSaw in the Upper School

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Learn | Try | Amplify Week 6:

Last week you heard from the Lower and Middle School about the benefits of using SeeSaw with students.  This week we are sharing how SeeSaw is being used as an extension to some Upper School Math classrooms at Pike (4.5 minutes, see video above or click here to watch).  You won’t want to miss hearing Becky Miller’s 7th Grade Math students talking about what they like about using SeeSaw, and the video also features Nicole DeRosa’s teacher perspective.  If you would like help getting started with SeeSaw in the new year, please let the tech department know.

For some more SeeSaw Activity ideas for Grades 6 – 8 click here.

*Big thanks for your help 7th Graders, Nicole and Becky!

Seesaw @Pikeschool

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For week 5 of our Learn | Try | Amplify initiative, we are sharing a couple of videos (4 minutes) about how 1st and 3rd grades are using Seesaw as a digital portfolio app to engage parents, teach digital citizenship, and encourage students to reflect on their learning. Seesaw is one of the best educational apps to come out in the last couple of years so, I encourage you to carve out some time to check it out. Are you using Seesaw? Share how you’re using it in the comment section.

1st Grade Seesaw Video

3rd Grade Seesaw Video

For more See Saw activity ideas in Grades K – 2 click here.

For more SeeSaw activity ideas in Grades 3 – 5 click here.

Using Padlet in the Classroom

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For week 2 of our Learn | Try | Amplify initiative, I am sharing a short video (2.5 minutes) where you can learn about the benefits of using the online virtual bulletin board called Padlet in the Classroom.

After watching the video you can try using a Padlet and let us know if you have any ideas of how you would like to use Padlet or if you have already found a way for Padlet to amplify your teaching in the classroom.  Click here to contribute to a collaborative learning wall.

More Padlet Resources
If you are interested in starting to use Padlet and would like to watch a full tutorial, here is a good video that is about 13 minutes long and quickly teaches all of the features:

Learn Padlet – NEW! 2016 Tutorial

Here are some of the resources that I used to make my video:

5 Ways to Use Padlet from Education World

How to Use Padlet: A Fantastic Tool for Teaching via Cool Cat Teacher

32 Interesting Ways to Use Padlet in the Classroom

Lastly, here is an image with some ideas for using Padlet in the Classroom via @SimplySuzy (Technology Invisible)

iPad as Teacher’s Assistant

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The iPad Can Help Manage Your Classroom

Ever wish you had an assistant in your classroom? In a way, your iPad can act as your assistant and, in a sense, amplify your lessons and activities. Full Disclosure…. I’m completely stealing this idea, verbatim, from Tony Vincent’s blog. Tony’s infographic is filled with great ideas for using your iPad as your assistant. Each section of the infographic is organized into common tasks like manage your classroom, assess student work, or interact with your students. Below, I have shared just the section titled “Manage the Classroom” to narrow things down and provide focus for this week. I encourage you to give one of these apps a try this week and report how it went in the comments. That way, we can all learn from each other.