Postcard+(maggio+2012)

Second Postcard (May 2012) from Istituto Comprensivo 9, Bologna, Italy

=Second postcard from Guercino School (Bologna, Italy)=

Mid-term progress made / Achievement so far
Our school boasts a good deal of computer equipment and some teachers are very skilled in the use of educational technology, mainly IWB and computer lab. This "Tablet Pilot" project has given us an important opportunity to begin to explore the use of mobile technologies in teaching.

Tablets are being used to strengthen the work of teachers both during lesson preparation and during lesson delivery (eg finding information in the lesson). In particular, we are using the tablet as a productivity tool: audio recorder, video and audio to document, develop or produce, record attendance, calculate grades, present lessons, answer emails, calendar events and play audio and video files**.** Introverted students are now willing to contribute. Annotating encourages students to actively participate

Other Benefits: students work on different activities throughout the room, and each group takes a turn with the tablet.

Which problems are you still facing
The project started late mainly due to the delay in the delivery of the tablets. Since our school received only four tablets, it was decided that four teachers would have worked on the project, involving one class where there was one student with special needs. Recently, the teachers have started the use of the tablet in other classes too.

Initially, we didn’t may feel like we couldn’t do all the things you used to be able to do, such as walking around the classroom while you talk. We also had to rethink some of our class content to incorporate tablet-based teaching or interactivity with our students.

Moreover, we consider the electronic gadget we are testing is heavier and thicker than other tablets, so it is not as comfortable to be carried around. On the other hand, it has also a traditional keyboard, and it can be a good middle-ground product for students. The touch screen is not always accurate, so it is better to use it with the keyboard. Finally, audio and audiovisual recording is not very good, and this makes difficult to have good quality material. About this last point, we would be interested in making contact with teachers who are using the tablet to produce audio-visual to understand if and how they solved this problem.

Key resources - name at last two:

 * Moodle as a Learning Management System.

Software / Hardware

 * **GeoGebra**: it is a free and multi-platform dynamic mathematics software for all levels of education that joins geometry, algebra, tables, graphing, statistics and calculus in one easy-to-use package.
 * **Hot Potatoes**: The //Hot Potatoes// suite includes six applications, enabling you to create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching/ordering and gap-fill exercises for the World Wide Web. Hot Potatoes is freeware, and you may use it for any purpose or project you like. It is not open-source.
 * **Celestia** is t he free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions.
 * **Cmap Tools:** This application helps you to design any type of relational charts, concept maps and other types of diagrams. It works in a very intuitive way: double click on the screen to create a new element and right-click on it to customize its appearance.
 * **Windows Live Movie Maker:** Windows Live Movie Maker (codename //Sundance//) is a video creating/editing software that is a part of Microsoft's Windows Live initiative. Windows Live Movie Maker allows users to publish videos to SkyDrive, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr, as well creating HD videos.
 * **Camtasia** (Free for 30 Days): itrecords a live presentation or lecture and give students a rewind button for class. Help them learn at their own pace…or catch up from an absence.
 * **Engrade**: you can get your gradebook, attendance, seating chart, discipline, and more in one user-friendly interface.

Websites that you have found useful - Name at least two

 * Angelo Panini's presentations on SlideShare
 * Interactive Education: Impact of the Internet on Learning and Teaching

Training and continuous professional development (CDP)
We have been using the tablets with school everyday activities, and we are experimenting new programs and software.

Staff and pupil involvement
The use of the tablet, if given to each pupil, could be a major stimulus to their involvement and participation and interaction.

Let us Know 1-2 highlights of using the tablet so far

 * 1) Tablets’ long battery life makes them more suitable for a school day.
 * 2) Their instant-on capability and fast switching among applications allows learning activities to proceed with less delay.