Just a normal, average, regular day. Like most, right? But something is different for me, I get to go to work, school, my school. This is not your average, regular school, this place is magical! For one thing, the buildings are new, the arrangement of classrooms is different, the "feel" of the campus is more. More expectations, more challenges, more eyes watching through the glass of the fish bowl.
Visitors from around the world have explored our rooms and spoken with our students! It isn't your average, everyday school, it's Robert C. Fisler School in Fullerton, CA! A school with a vision toward the future, where technology is seamlessly integrated into the day and students, teachers, administration, and the community embrace the 21st century model of learning!
The transformation of my teaching began eight and a half years ago when I decided to make a change and move to a new school. I thought I knew technology, but I had no idea what challenges I would face that first year Fisler was open. It was thrilling, exasperating, and motivating! I have never in all 23 years of teaching, have ever found such remarkable self awareness when I faced down 20 first graders with 20 white, brand new Mac iBooks!
I had no idea how I could get to all of them as they were all calling out, "Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Bass, it's not working!" "I can't find it!" "What do I do?" My first step was to call my friend who taught the 4th grade for help!! "Can you send me 4 or 5 fourth graders to help me? I'm dying here and I can't get to them all!"
Sure enough, five of the smartest fourth graders came to my rescue and taught me a thing or two, it was probably much more than that, but I got the message! This mission of ours required both team work and collaboration! I was not going to be able to carry my students on my own, we needed to work with buddies, partner up with other students to teach the basics and then work toward independent work. What I also learned was that those six year olds learn fast and wanted to learn more, so did I! We were on a roll!
Now, as I stand in my classroom of 32 third graders, I'm overwhelmed by what I have learned and how my teaching has changed! I worked hard to be a good teacher, now I work harder and smarter! I'm creating all the time, wondering what new tool I can use especially mobile devices!!! I loved having laptops in my class! Wonderful, powerful, individual creating machines, love those MacBooks! Then came the iPod touch devices, oooohh, what fun, to get 32 of them to explore and produce great recorded memos and build reading fluency, again my inspiration grew!
When the opportunity came to try the new iPad I was giddy! All I could think of was how I wanted to get a class set so we could start creating new projects! The excitement hasn't slowed one bit! I am always searching and thinking of new ways to develop as an educator and lucky for me, I have had the benefit of using Apple products! Bring it on!
Apple TV, check and now we are thinking about Apple Desktop Remote for our grade level! This is where I'm concerned about cost! If I can get my hands on more iPads I think I would rather spend the money that way!
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