Taking Inventory

Maybe its the long (although admittedly not very tough) winter.  Maybe its senioritis running wild and finding its way into every corner of the Upper School.  Maybe its the news from Syria, or Greece.  Maybe its just the need for February break!  Whatever "it" is, it has me feeling like I am spinning the wheels a bit lately with technology.  It seems like I haven't had any "AH HA" or "HEY THAT'S COOL - I WANT TO DO THAT" moments lately with regard to iPads or other technology.  But maybe I am being too hard on myself.  So, I think I should do a quick, informal inventory of what I've learned over the past several months.

1)  I've found a solid comfort level with the iPad at least for my own use.
2)  I've used the iPad in class several times and I would say that 50% of the experiences were positive and added value to the class.
3)  I've learned about blogging, and how to set up blogs for the students.
4)  I've created a website and I post all of my assignments there now and other materials.
5)  I've played lots of Angry Birds.
6)  My advisees sign in on the iPad every morning and they think its just the coolest thing.
7)  I went from being skeptical that the iPad could enhance education to being 100% sure it can.
8)  I transitioned part of the Stock Market Game project from a binder to a website.
9)  I've taken a photo and emailed it somebody on the spot to give them a nearly "live update".
10)  I've graded papers using the stylus and the iPad and emailed the graded paper back to the student.
11)  I've done Poll Everywhere exercises in the classroom.

Ok, I guess I've learned a ton.  It just seems that I am in a rut right now.  The workload is such that I can't seem to find the time to do the necessary preparation to try new projects/ideas with the iPad, etc. 

Other thoughts:
~I want to pass on what I have learned to others and I would like to do that in a formal way next year if/when the TLC continues. 

~I'm eager to try some ideas that I have with Educreations.
~I want to record something on Garage Band.
~I am looking forward to EdCamp Maine.

And, I can't wait for February Break!

"To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer."
-Paul Ehrlich