Reflections and plans...

Once again we are nearing the end of another school year and we are all beginning to think about and plan for 2011, while also reflecting on all of the amazing events which have taken place within our professional teaching lives and within our schools this year.

2010 has been an amazing start to a remarkable journey for both the staff and the students at Remarkables Primary School. We have grown and developed many fantastic things across our school and across the curriculum, especially within e-learning!

One main highlight for me as the e-learning coordinator was the implementation of iPod touches into our teaching and learning programmes. At the beginning of this year, my husband and I had one iPod Touch between us for personal use at home; we used it mainly for listening to music! We had no applications on our touch and I had no idea how these could / would be used as a part of our learning programmes at school!

So, my thinking in this area has come a very long way! At RPS we currently have three sets of five iPod touches in our school, one set in each teaching team. The iPods now have a variety of different educational applications on them and are in hot demand! Our teachers and students absolutely love these devices! An iPod Touch engages children, gives instant reward and feedback to students, allows for hundreds of chances to practice a skill, and makes learning and practice fun!

The other day I was busy working with one of my numeracy groups on the mat, when I looked up to check on all of the others students in my classroom. It happened to be our day to have the iPods in our classroom all day and my students and I are lucky enough to also have four laptops permanently in our classroom . When I looked up, I realised just how lucky we are, and just how amazing the use of technology can be in education...

• One group of four students were on Mathletics on the laptops under their own logins challenging other students from around the world to basic facts challenges using 'Live Mathletics'
• Another group of five students were sitting silently on the corner couch with their iPod Touches around their necks, totally engrossed in practicing their basic facts using a maths educational application called 'PopMath'
• A third group of two students where making and reading three and four digit numbers using a Bee Bot and Bee Bot mat
• Of course the fourth group were with me!

As a teacher one of my worries has always been, are the students who are not with me during reading, writing and mathematics rotations purposefully engaged, practicing a skill, engaged and on task?

This particular day I can honestly say, yes they all were! And the e-learning tools we have for them to use and learn from, are the reason why!

Next year we plan to have more iPods within our school, the ultimate would be to have a set per class.... but that is a long term goal, and you never know, there may be something even cooler and more engaging soon!

Bridget :)