First Time Syncing with the Bretford PowerSync Cart

Syncing 1 iPad may seem like a piece of cake, but setting up folders, restrictions, web links, and iTunes settings on 30 iPads? Not so cake-like.

So without further ado, here is a PDF guide for how to set up, sync and deploy your iPads using the Bretford PowerSync cart. There are easier ways to do this using specialized software, but this is the best "novice" workflow I've found - something that is accesible to anyone with any level of iOS / iPad / syncing experience.

I plan to make this into an iBook as well, so stay tuned for that :). Hope this helps!

From NTA's Autumn Laidler: Twitter Top 4

A Post from NTA's Autumn Laidler, 3rd/4th grade science & 1:1 iPad Teacher

I have been bookmarking some tweets this week to help spread the ideas from my Twitter PLN with my school PLN.  I was specifically watching for apps or advice that would best support the work teachers expressed interested in at NTA and also items I thought may be helpful for all.

1.  iPads in the Primary Classroom from Sean Jenkins:  Sean created a great list of apps by subject and listed the price next to each app.  Although it is a list for primary there are many apps I use and found to be useful for intermediate and I am sure middle school and special education.  Although the apps are not linked in his presentation they are easy to look up.  I am most excited about Easy Charts and Nature Tap.

2. Inversion Invasion from Richard Byrne: This review of music apps shares a few choices for students to learn about chords and notes while playing an arcade style game.  And its free!  Hope its helpful for our music team.

3. Knowmia a review from Richard Byrne:  This is a new FREE app for teachers and students to create video recordings using an interactive white board similar to ShowME and Educreations, but according to the review it has better features and more capacity.  The website also offers a place to upload videos as well as look at what other teachers have done to either use or get ideas for your own.  Great for anyone looking to create differentiated videos for students.  I am excited to try this new app out!

4.  12 Reasons to blog with your students by Vicki Davis: Blogging with students is a passion of mine and this article really articulates why its good for our students and why it is good for us as teachers to allow to happen in our classroom.  With our focus on literacy integration this year, blogging is a great way to get students writing and also allow for a wider audience for their work.  You can view my class blog for this year and the work from my students last year.  If you would like to get started blogging I would be happy to help with your class page set up!

Welcome!

Welcome to the AUSL digital learning homepage! This will be your homebase for all things related to educational technology use and is intended for use by all AUSL teachers, coaches, directors, coordinators, residents... anyone who may have a need to use technology in the classroom or their positions! Please subscribe to this page on the right to receive automatic updates when new things are added!

Now Available:

• Digital PLC Group: Collaborate with others interested in Digital Learning! Share what you know, start discussions or ask questions!
• Resources: Online resources, apps, videos and other supports for your school's digital learning program.

Coming soon:

• Video Tips of the Week: To be featured on this main page. All video tips will link from this page to our AUSL Teaching Channel site!
• Tutorials: To be linked from the tab above to our AUSL Teaching Channel site!

Note: 

The content on this site will be differentiated... the PLC will eventually be broken into groups based on device interest and experience level. The videos will all be tagged beginner, intermediate and advanced. The tips of the week will also be tagged as such. Please click on the suggestion box to the right to start asking questions you have about technology and visit the digital learning virtual PLC on the next tab. I will aggregate all the questions asked in both places and create an FAQ page for beginners.