Finding the right apps

One of my priorities is finding an app to replace my register book.  My current register/ diary book is used to register each class to monitor attendance, grade them weekly or as often as possible on the work they have done which then helps with report writing.

So I need an app that will match this.

Criteria:

- take attendance
- add notes
- grade pupils on performance
- be able to import pupil names from something simple like a CSV file


Additional features might include:
-be able to add photo by the pupils name
- attach video/ photo of work to add as evidence or build a profile for each pupil.

TeacherKit was chosen as it seems to tick most of my criteria.

I can import my pupils names from a CSV form via Dropbox.

I can take attendance with one 'click'

I can record if pupils are late/ off sport

I can add notes on each individual pupil

I can grade pupils on whatever I want to grade them out (graded out of 10 or similar)

I can't include photos or videos BUT this is something that is being developed.....

Set Up:

It took awhile to get to grips with exporting my registers & importing them from Dropbox but now I know how to do it it is easy.  I can copy and paste class lists from our school database.  As we already use photos of the pupils with this database it was easy to add these with the CSV file.  Within an hour I had put 7 classes onto the app ready to use.

This is a screenshot from a website but it gives you a rough idea of how it is presented.  Really clear to see, easy to use....so far so good.

(I have only had the app set up for 2 days so I will report back again within the next few weeks.)

iPad suspicions being confirmed

I've just finished reading a really reassuring post about the use of ipads.

iPad is right for PE article.

For me these are the simple, practical reasons iPads will quickly be part of our normal day-to-day teaching and not just a gimmick that appears for the sake of using them.

physedtech.org makes some good points on how an iPad can be used.  The sportshall is our classroom. We can't store folders, clipboards, stopwatches, books in our teaching space.  It just doesn't work with balls flying around & pupils scampering around 100mph.

So to have all of these additional necessary resources on one machine will be like having our very own Swiss Army knife.

The biggest danger is to remain stagnant and not move forward with the times.

I like the sound of the augmented reality apps and have had a quick play with - Bit Breaker  my first 'trial' being on my phone. I feel a bit of a plonker playing it but I know our pupils would love it.  I can also begin to se the potential with other scenarios such as tennis games, dance games etc.


....just need an ipad to try them out properly!  Roll on September.

The very beginning.....

I was made Head of P.E. in September. I've done an ok job. I always knew the first year was all about settling in, not fixing what aint broken and getting a feel for the job.
This first year has included:

• tweaking the schemes of work.
• having an NQT to induct - who has turned into an absolute gem.
• our school has begun rolling out the use of iPads.

  

  Moving forward with the times....

• we've got the go ahead to have a permanent projector in our sports hall.

These combinations have ignited my desire to really push our department forward.  I think as a school we are already behind the technology race/ development/ evolution however you want to call it. We are complete Apple users and have begun tsk-ing Window users (shameful, I know)

The iPads have been set up as a booking out system, they often aren't ready for the lesson, sometimes you can get onto YouTube sometimes you can't....it's had some teething issues.

That aside our fresh faced NQT and myself have been desperate to capitalise on the potential use iPads could have with our P.E. lessons.

So this blog is, and I'm very ashamed to use the X factor catchphrase, all about our journey.

As of September we should have

1. iPads for our department staff
2. access to iPads for pupils to use
3. a fixed projector in the Sports Hall - linked to a computer, speakers, DVD player etc.

I've now got the summer to make sure all are up and running by September (with a little bit of help from our ICT department).

My first task is to compile a selection of apps for consideration.  Carefully weighing up 'would we actually use them as a gimmick or use them to enhance our teaching?' Mrwickenspe blog addresses this and will be one I will be referring back to.  The P.E. Geek was my initial inspiration and one I will be referring to a lot more in my next blog.

Wish me luck and contributions/ advice/ help along the way would be oh so gratefully received.