Making the Rounds

Today, I had the opportunity to visit SouthSide elementary, the Middle School and of course the High School.

I visited SouthSide Elementary in the morning and a little bit in the afternoon.  In the morning I met with Mrs. White to figure out and discover her MimioTeach.  The MimioTeach turns any whiteboard into a Smartboard, which allows students to draw on the computer screen through the use of a stylus pen, insert pictures, create venn diagrams and so much more.  It was an awesome experience and something I hope Mrs. White uses extensively with her students throughout the different classes she goes into at SouthSide Elementary.
I also met with Mrs. Speake to discuss different ways to integrate and support technology at SouthSide.  Some ideas came up related to: how to better use the 2 laptop carts, how to link grade level web sites to SchoolFusion, using Kidspiration, learning how to use the IowaAEAOnline resources, becoming more comfortable with the lcd projectors, and creating digital stories.  All great ideas in which I hope to take full charge in integrating and showcasing to the teachers throughout the year.
In the afternoon I met with Mrs. Nelson to show her how to wirelessly connect to her projector and how ti more efficiently use her laptop with the projector for both teacher and student use.

In the afternoon I met with Mrs. Braun at the Middle School to discuss the First Lego League.  This will be something new for me as I have not messed with Lego Robotics since college.  I think it will be a great experience for her students and hopefully something that we can take a couple groups of students to compete against other Iowa students, in relationship to Lego Robotics.

Throughout the day at the High School I provided some web sites to teachers interested in interactive flash cards, and using interactive writing tablets in the classroom.

Awesome day and I am sure the rest will be just as good.