The beginning

So, it had to happen sooner or later--me blogging. I don't even know right now if this is public or private; started it impulsively in the car in my phone.  I realized when I have an aha moment or read something new, I send it by email or discuss it with others, my first mode of operation. But then, I have no record of the thought, and I've decided (thank you, Michelle Stellato), that there needs to be hard evidence, so here it is. My Random Thoughts. 

Here's what inspired it. Friday (5/17/13) I took my kids to the computer lab, and left being so thrilled with what they'd done, not always something that happens with this class very often. Their assignment, given in the room 2 hours before, was to log on to the network, find PowerPoint on the desktop, type their name in the first box they saw, shrink the box, change the font, and place their name in the top left.  Then insert a picture (from a file of pictures they'd looked at before and knew how to access) resize if necessary, then type in their comment from their journals that they'd written the day before.  Also showed how to animate each box.  Whew! Who thought they'd remember any of those directions, but about 60% of them were in, name written, picture inserted, and ready to type within about 5 minutes.  Amazing.  Teachers (had an STP sub and Amy there to help, plus Sam and me) took over and typed sentences (along with correct spelling and punctuation) after they'd given the typing a try, then restated directions on how to get to the animation tab and let them play with the animation.  All slides were typed, edited, and saved in about 40 minutes.  Again, amazing.

As I left and headed to STP, I stopped to think about how successful it was and how often this class struggles with simple directions and activities in the classroom.  As a group (of course there are exceptions to this) they hate to illustrate, don't take care with handwriting and general appearance of their work, and can't stay focused to finish the task.  But put them on the computer, and it's a different story.  They're engaged, helping each other, and solve many problems on their own without asking us.  

So, what do I learn from this?  One, that I'd love to have had a class set of iPads for them; that I probably missed a ton of learning opportunities by not having enough lessons that were highly hands-on, whether with computers, or not; and that I need to continue to modify lessons that reach students like this, because that's what's probably coming to me from now on...hence the reason I wanted to write this down so that I'd actually do the things I was thinking about at the moment.  Hopefully this space will make me remember that.