iPad Easel

Want a true authentic painting experience without the paint? Students can be engaged in art through the iPad. Simply download any drawing app that you would like and then put the iPad in an easel that provides multiple types of drawing/painting stylus and allow your students to draw via the iPad. No mess and the artwork can proudly be displayed on school websites or a blog because the drawings are already digital!

Practically you would need an easel and an iPad for each students, but if your school is looking to consider a class set of iPads, this could be one subject area you can share with them to help convince investing in iPads. Besides using this as a drawing easel, I can see this being used for a lot of other things.

I have invested a lot of money into iPad holders, ones with keyboards, ones that prop multiple angles, some that can be held both landscape and portrait style. The easel would provide a way to prop it up and with a synced blue tooth keyboard you can do some keyboarding practice or other apps where students would be unable to drop the iPad...a plus in my book.

The easels also come with additional tools. Some are equipped with a whiteboard on the other side to allow students to sign-up for iPad time or to have a brain storm/diagram session before moving to the iPad. Technology provides a lot of wondrous things, imagine what creative things you could do in the classroom with a stand for the iPad. Perhaps story time with an e-book where you show it off of the easel.

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Appropriate times for calculators

As a math teacher I am constantly fighting with myself when is it appropriate to have the students use a calculator? On one hand, the state test for my students allows the students to use a calculator on the entire test, this is the first math test where that is the case. Is there an expectation that at this point the students should only do things through their calculator or is the state assuming that they have the basic skills to get by without a calculator when needed? I just feel with so much uncertainty, that there may not be a correct answer.

Personally my stance is that students need to learn how to do something the most in depth way, before they take any type of shortcut. For example, in graphing, my students learn to plot a graph through a table. Only after plotting from a table and practicing and learning about the idea of slope, do I present a new way to graph by putting a point on the y-intercept and then using the slope to count to the next spot on the graph. Students are then encouraged to do the problems the way they would prefer, most opt for the shortcut, but a few will still choose to use the table.

I will then transfer this idea to calculators. Students should be able to see by hand how to square something before they just do it on the calculator. Not for any other reason than learning and understanding the concept, rather than just memorizing what to push. I want my students to leave my room, not knowing how to push buttons, but how to problem solve. I want them to have a process learned in algebra, so that when an algebraic problem comes their way and it is different from the ones we did in class, that they will be able to apply the properties logically and achieve a correct answer.

How can we go deeper in mathematics, if we only provide a superficial learning to our students?

Effective technology is not just about sharing ideas on how to implement technology, but it is also about the technology used in the classroom.

When you allow the use of a calculator, ask yourself why you are doing it. Is it so the student can show they know what buttons to push or do you want to see them apply what they have learned?

As always,
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iPad Math Apps - Math Operations

I sometimes get overwhelmed when it comes to finding math apps, there are a lot of apps out there, but I can never find what I am looking for. What makes a math app usable? What are cheap options that students will enjoy?

Typically when it comes to looking for a math app, you either want an app that covers one topic extremely well or an app that covers multiple topics that students can practice and work on.

We will be spending the next few posts discussing various types of math apps that are available for all grade levels. If you want your subject to be next, post a comment below and I will be sure to include your subject next.

I have more math apps downloaded than anything else. Every time I see a math app that has gone free, I must download it! Here is a list of some of my most used apps, along with the specifics of each app.


Basic Operations

Hungry Fish - Basic operations math app that can challenge even the best of the adults. Combine number bubbles together and feed the fish the correct numbers, but be careful if you put bubbles together and the number is to big then you lose those bubbles. As you feed the fish it slowly gets bigger, but over time begins to shrink out of existence.

Math v Zombies - what is better than shooting zombies? Well shooting zombies and instead of killing them, they turn back into humans! In order to transform the zombies back into humans you must answer math questions before the zombies catch up to you.

WileD MathFacts - A simple idea of popping bubbles as they drop. The levels get progressively harder as students show mastery of the operations they are currently working on. Add negatives, remove the game timer, and compete for the high score. There is a lot you can do with this app.



Math Zoom - Great for number line practice. Zoom in and out of a number line and place the numbers in the correct spots, additional challenges are available as you unlock levels.

Card Clutter - An app designed to help students determine ordering in numbers. You are given 10 cards and tap them in the order from least to greatest. Simple and effective!


Stay tuned, follow this blog or sign-up to receive these posts via e-mail! The next series of posts will cover apps appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school as well as the topics they cover in mathematics!

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Using Clickers to Assess Performance

I'm not sure about everyone's school, but it seems to me that a lot of schools are pushing for data. Data to show you are an effective teacher, that your students are growing a minimum years growth. How in the world are you suppose to do that?

The receiver in my room

Well...clickers can be part of the solution. I use my clickers for a lot of different activities, but one thing use them for is to show student growth. Before every chapter I give a 9-12 question pre-test with multiple choice answers. After the chapter, I give the students the same test (answers are moved around), but as a post-test. I can then show growth through percent of change or the student growth index. To see how to calculate these things, please view the bottom of this post.

Types of clickers used in the classroom

By asking the same questions, I can record loads of data, such as overall scores, where do my special ed, English language learners compare, as well as any other group breakdown that I want to take the time to do. Not only do I see the class growth as a whole as we go along the chapter, but I also see individual data after the clicker test. My students take the post-test with clickers a day before the chapter test. Afterwards, my students have an assignment to work on, such as a study guide, in which during this time, I call students up one at a time, go through their results and discuss what they should do this evening to prepare for the test. This provides an amazing differentiation opportunity, as well as gives me this really neat one on one time with my students.

By all means, I am not a data hog, I believe there is a thing as to much data, but gathering data from time to time that can truly improve instruction is key and clickers provide a fun way for the students and an easy way for the teacher to get that key data required.

The bottom of this post are the equations to calculate various types of growth.

Percent of Change - Calculates the percent of growth from pre to post
(Post Score - Pre Score)/Pre Score...then multiply by 100 to get the percent.

Student Growth Index - Calculates the students potential growth, instead of actual growth
preGrowth = Total Points on Test - Pre Score
postGrowth = Total Points on Test - Post Score

(Post Growth - PreGrowth)/Pre Growth...then multiply by 100 to get the percent.


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Clickers in the Classroom

Today we are going to be taking a closer look at clickers in the classroom. There are a lot of types of clickers out there and we will go into the details of types of clickers at a later time, but right now I want to focus on the effectiveness of these great devices.

First off, clickers are a simple idea that provides many wonderful opportunities in the classroom. Clickers are designed to give the teacher (and students) instant feedback on his or her understanding of the topic(s). It is an amazing tool because students love being able to point and click to the receiver in the room and love to see if they are doing the problems correctly or know the information.

Clickers can be used for a lot of different ideas. Here are a list of the few main concepts for clickers.

1) A pre and post test that can be done in 10-15 minutes of class to see what students may already know before starting a unit and then be able to see the students' growth from the post clicker test. A bonus is that students don't feel that it is a test and will relax and really show you what they know!

2) Teaching a new topic? Why not incorporate your notes onto a powerpoint or other slideshow that works with the clickers, teach a concept and then have the students use the clickers after a new topic was taught to see if they are understanding. Perhaps provide an award idea that if you maintain an 80% over so many checks that they can earn a ticket towards the iPad time (See the 1 iPad Classroom Series).

3) Use for a review game...how great could it be for ask the audience?


I started using clickers as a way to engage my students longer on math problems. I teach for 90 minutes, middle schoolers and 90 minutes is a long time! When we bring out the clickers, it is like an amazing reset on class, where the students are refreshed and ready to do more problems even though 2 minutes ago they were burnt out.

I run a Funday Friday idea, where we review a previous topic and students receiving above an 80% are considered proficient on that topic and earn some time in our technology room, which features iPads and computers. Students not at that proficient mark work on a mini-lesson with myself that reflects the topic used with the clickers. It is not seen as a punishment, just as a reward which is really neat to experience, plus some topics you can cut your class in half!

Our next blog will feature how to effectively use the data from clickers to assess your teaching abilities and student growth.

The 1 iPad Classroom (Introduction)

I use my iPad in and out of my classroom on a daily basis. Whether it is going over notes, engaging students, motivating students, or writing my own apps for students to use. Many teachers have asked for my help in using their iPad more effectively in the classroom.

After sharing how I use my iPad, I usually end up showing teachers how to sync your iPad to your computer and teach from it. After helping multiple teachers in my district, I have found myself looking for more ways to effectively use a single iPad in the classroom. This first series of the blog will be covering the following questions.

1) How do I keep it fair when sharing with 20-30 students

2) Are there activities that partners or groups can use an iPad?

3) How do I know students will do what is expected (holding students accountable)?
4) How can I use the iPad to motivate student learning and growth?

5) I have my personal e-mail set-up on my iPad, how can I make sure the students don't get into my personal account?