Using slate with activboard

[saha]

I was wondering how many teachers use the activslate or other wireless slates routinely in the classroom with activboard and the effect of that on classroom management and learning ??

I have just started using a bluetooth wireless slate regularly in my class and I am simply amazed at the power it brings to a teacher and enhance student learning.

I routinely will sit with my students in an empty seat as if I am a student just like them. Then with everyone sitting, I will use activboard from the slate and then pass the slate around the class when reviewing for an exam.

I have found this very helpful for classroom management, specially when can sit right next to your students and enable learning.

[LisaD]

Absolutely, when I visit classrooms, I see alot of different uses of the slate.

In some classrooms the teacher remains at the board for most interactions but uses the slate in a variety of cases:

1) When he or she wants to have "proximity" control. That is- be near a student who is misbehaving or

2) When trying to manage smaller groups. Maybe one group is working independently of another and group 2 has a question. the teacher can go "sit" with the group with the slate and talk quietly (not disturbing the other group!)

3) I do see some teacher who use the slate most of time and have the students go to the board, but other teachers have said that when they are away from the board, that students sometimes have difficulty following things because they are hearing from one location and looking at another and cannot see the teacher's face.

On the other hand, I think it is great for student input when coming up to the board is not time-effective but it has to be an activity that I think it more "slate-friendly" like clicking on big things, moving things around or circling or highlighting stuff. Teachers tell me they and they student have difficulty when using a slate to do a lot of writing or more complex moves.

I think the slate is also great for special ed situations when the student cannot come to the board for physical reason.

Are others finding this as well?

lisa

[saha]

hi lisa,
Myself and my students had difficulty in using the slate when trying to do a lot of writing or complex moves.

However the new slate that I use ( with blutooth) is very nice......me and my students can do a lot of writing or comlex moves with no problem.

[ojsaunders]

Hi,
I use the slate for two main things. When I need to be at the back for behaviour management and also its useful to quickly hand someone the slate when re-ordering text items into chronological order- one of my favourite activities with the board (history). But it is very difficult to write on - much better for moving around previously created stuff or activating films etc.
Oliver

[J Boucke]

+wave+ I teach 7th graders, that's 12-13 year olds in California and the slate is a great hit with them. Its not daily, but it is often enough to be something they look forward to. I rarely use the slate myself. I put the slate in the hands of the students. Once a flipchart is created its management can be done by the students. They manuever objects, turn pages, open notes, reveal worksheet answers (eraser trick and hidden off screen objects are highlights), etc... whatever is necessary to pace the movement of the lesson, They read what is being presented and have become part of the lesson as well. I have a student in charge of whose turn it is next, another who makes sure someone hasn't been on the slate too long or made done too many actions. The students even correct spelling errors or create action objects they suggest to make flipcharts better.
As for proximity control, when I first saw ACTIVBoard presented that was listed as a slate possibility, but the slate in student hands allows me the freedom to move about the room and excercise near and far proximity control.
As and added note, the students also completely run the Question Master sessions with ACTIVote too.

J Boucke
Avery Middle School

[Mike Dawson]

My experience has been similar to that of J Boucke. My students can run the show with little direction. They look forward to using the equipment. Even my shy ones look forward to being able to interact with the material from the relative comfort of their seat via the slate. This from 8th graders (13-14)

[Kevin Abel]

I have only been using the ACTIVslate for a couple of months, but I am really impressed with the impact that such a simple device can have on classroom management.

I mainly use the device for controlling flipcharts, pausing ACTIVote sessions and demonstrating CAD software whilst sitting next to pupils, but where the ACTIVslate has really paid dividends is behaviour management.

At the first sign of any unrest, I simply walk over and sit next to the pupil involved. Challenging pupils soon get the message and the lesson continues without a break in concentration.

Regards Kevin