Got space? The LMC does!

Let’s face it.  Classrooms keep getting more and more kids, but the 1950s brick and mortar doesn’t expand with the increase in students.  While observing and assisting classroom research and projects in the LMC, I’m reminded of how important a role physical space plays in any learning environment.  If you have a class project where students need to spread out with materials, the LMC may be the place for it.  

Smartboards can enhance your lesson

We have over 3,000 square feet with about 60 tables that can be reconfigured to meet your needs.  Additionally, don’t forget the access to print and electronic resources that students will have in the LMC.  Does your classroom have windows?  If not, the LMC with its view of our beautiful new courtyard and natural sunlight might be the change in venue your class needs.  Sometimes just changing the location for one class can breathe some light into the post holiday months that make up, in my opinion, the toughest stretch of the school year.  We are also happy to announce, if you haven’t noticed, our very own Smart Board for staff, students, and presenters to use.  We have also added 20 more iPads to make up a full class set of 30.  They can be checked out from the Ellyn page where you access the labs and LMC space.  They can be checked out in groups of 5 for different units.  This way, the possibility exists for multiple teachers to be using them.  As we move forward into 2012, please utilize the resources we have available for you and your students.  Questions?  Please ask!

iPads in the LMC

We are excited to finally be able to offer iPads for checkout here in the LMC.  There are currently 10 available for check out for your class use, and for staff to take home on an overnight basis as well.

After break, a full class set of 30 will be available as well.  The iPads offer a great 21st Century learning tool to support your curriculum.  The real power of the iPads comes from the apps that are available to purchase and download to the devices.  Teachers are encouraged to look for apps that might support and enhance their curriculum.  When you have an app that you would like to see added to the iPads, fill out the "app for an app" which can be found on the Ellyn page under the forms section.  This form will be reviewed by the district tech team and, once approved, will be added to the devices.

Wading through web sites or the iTunes store through the thousands of available apps can be a dautning task.  I would suggest looking at a curricular area and asking yourself whether the learning experiencece can be supported by an app, and then look to see if something is available.  Chances are, "there is an app for that." 

Here are two sites that review apps for educational purposes: http://www.iear.org/ and

http://appitic.com/

Even without specific apps, the iPads might meet your needs in other ways.  Here are some things they can do right now:

Take photos and video

Voice recordings

Internet browsing

Google Earth

Film editing with iMovie app

How do we get the pictures and video from the iPad to a desktop?  You guessed it!  There's an app for that (known as Dropbox).

If you are unfamilar or hesitant to use them, please ask for help.  If you are interested in more information about classroom use, I have found this site to be an excelletn resource http://learninginhand.com/

We also are researching and evaluating interactive ebook apps for the iPads as part of our efforts to diversify the LMC's collection.  Graphic novels in particular lend themselves well to reading on a mobile device.  More to come on this in the future.

Sign out for the iPads is through the LMC space and equipment page on Ellyn. 

If you are unfamilar or hesitant to use them, please ask for help. 

If you are interested in more information about classroom use, I have found this site to be an excellent resource http://learninginhand.com/