Okay, word on the street is that our classroom set of iPads should arrive next week. This has really stepped up my blood pressure! The excitement, the nervousness, the anticipation, the impending sense of failure looming!
FAILURE! This is almost an expectation of mine. Our class has meetings twice a week to "talk iPads", (that way we don't get sidetracked with our studies!) and during these "talks" we have discussed my expectation of knowing less than the students. We have also talked about them being my proverbial guinea pigs! We discussed things we have tried in the past and we failed at...like learning to ice skate as an adult! EPIC FAIL!
We talked about being relaxed enough to laugh at our mistakes, maybe cry a little too! But the students now know I am not afraid of it, and they should not be either. I think that is my greatest "solid" expectation.
There are other things I think about, worry about, have sleepless evenings (no naps!) over...like going mostly paperless, organizing the google drive to be manageable, STORAGE, managing the plugs/electrical situation, app configuration, and only about a million other things!!!!
Well, I guess the plan is one day at a time, connecting with other teachers who have already used them for a while, exhausting my coach with questions, and of course leaning heavily on my coworker who has had them in his class for the first semester!
Ready or not, here they come!
Don't forget to breathe. :) As they say... learn from the mistakes. :) We talked about being pioneers with our iPads! We couldn't stop going "West" when we encountered a snake (problem).
ReplyDelete:) Deanna
Michelle, your students are so incredibly lucky to have you as a teacher...someone who is willing to admit "failure is OK!" We learn from our mistakes and move on, and many times those mistakes result in a fantastic new idea that is better than the original. Cannot wait to hear more as you continue your journey.
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up Michelle! I can't wait to get working with you and your kids!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be EPIC alright!