Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - An App-tastic Morning Meeting!
by Patti Dodds

Today, during morning meeting,  my homeroom students and I joined the Balch homeroom to learn about  an App called ThingLink.  ThinkLink is a free App that allows us to make images interactive. 

We asked students to download the App and issued a 20 minute challenge to create a background photo and add: 2 text boxes, 2 pictures, 2 links and one video.  The final step was for them to electronically share their projects with at least one other person.  Students needed about 4 minutes of instruction before they were off and running!

During the last few minutes of morning meeting, students shared projects via Apple TV.  Projects ranged from the new "Catching Fire" movie to favorite video games and television shows.
At the very end of the meeting, we asked students to brainstorm ways that they might envision using this App to demonstrate their knowledge when working on specific assignments, projects and labs.  Students suggested the 6th grade "Brain Project", science labs, and mapping assignments.

"App Fluency" is understanding how various apps can be used to create and/or "push out" information from one app to another easily and fluently.  Students and teachers need to first decide what the goal of an assignment is, and what understanding they would like to demonstrate, and then choose an appropriate method to do so.  Being "App fluent" will allow students to remain focused on the learning goals and make integrating technology more seamless.

iPad Apps

School issued iPads can be configured to prohibit the addition of non-school apps. If you would like that restriction added to your student's iPad, please contact Andrea Granger at andreagranger@dresden.us .

HHS Broadside Article on the 1-1 Program at RMS

Mr. Lepene recently had an opportunity to sit down with HHS student Stephen McCarthy to discuss the RMS 1-1 iPad program.

You can read Stephen's editorial here: HHS Broadside "The One-to-One Program: IPads at RMS"

Communication About Technology & Media

RMS staff have been working hard over the course of the past several months to give students and parents the information and skills that they will need to successfully learn in a time of transformative education.  

Philosophically, RMS is committed to teaching all students to appropriately use media and technology – indeed, one of the most important 21st Century learning skills.

Parent Workshop to Navigate the iPad

In October, RMS Library Media Specialist, Laura Abbene, and Guidance Counselor, Liz McBain, offered a parent workshop about how to navigate the iPad. Additionally, management tips for use at home were presented and discussed.

• Check out the notes from this presentation

• Following this workshop, Laura located this amazing resource from Common Sense Media that gives “Family Tips” on topics ranging from online security to privacy to safe online talk to cyberbullying, safe searches, and more.

• WHY ARE THESE TIPS FOR FAMILIES SO GREAT?
• Specific by topic/grade-level
• Short
• User-friendly
• Each tip sheet has the following sections: “What’s the Issue?”, “Why Does it Matter?”, “What Families Can Do”, and “Sources” (www.commonsensemedia.org). 
  
  

Where Do Students Receive Instructions About Media & Technology?

1.Computer Literacy class

2. Conversations with a computer lab supervisor

3. Direct instruction from a regular education teacher

4. Guidance & Health class

5. Guest speakers

6. Morning Meeting

Guest Speakers at RMS

WISE Director of Training and Education, Kate Rohdenburg directed workshops for seventh grade students last June, and during the same week hosted a well-attended forum for parents of adolescents on communication around media. Subsequently, each fall 8th grade students participate in a workshop during health class that is about communication in healthy relationships (in person and online) that Chelsea Williamson of WISE presents.

We are pleased to announce two upcoming speakers during second quarter:

1. Becky Munsterer, Associate Director of Admission at Dartmouth, will speak to the 8th grade on Wednesday, 11/13, during morning meeting, on digital footprints.
2. In December, Professor William Kelley of the Psychology Department at Dartmouth, will speak on the topic of gaming and self-regulation.

Continue the Conversations at Home

Our teachers, administrators, and Technology Committee are working collaboratively to support innovation in education, develop responsible citizens, and to promote strong media literacy skills for all of our students. We encourage you to continue this conversation at home and contact RMS for support as needed!

iSquad Website Goes Live!

Learn about what the RMS student technology club does to support the 1-1 initiative at RMS. Our website went live today! Stay tuned for more videos on how to use the iPad and great apps used at RMS.

Email the iSquad Team at rmsisquad@hanovernorwichschools.org

RMS iSquad Website