iOS 7 Lock Screen Rotation, AirPlay, and Search

After upgrading to iOS 7, I promptly got stuck trying to figure out where to lock my screen rotation, use AirPlay to connect to a computer or Apple TV, and search my iPad.  These things are very simple, but not where they used to be.  Check it out!

In iOS 6, a double-click of the Home button would bring up the Control Center where I could lock the screen rotation or connect to another device.

Quick Classroom Data Collection

Here are three methods of quickly getting an opinion from your students.  These will all work in a 1:1 iPad classroom.  If you want to try one or all of these and you think it would be easier if I just showed it to you, give me a holler and I'll stop by.  It will only take a minute!

Note:  Socrative and PollEverywhere are anonymous response systems, which are great for quick student access and getting a pulse on how students REALLY feel about a topic.  However, if you have concerns about your students posting inappropriate comments, it may be wise to stick with multiple choice questions rather than open-ended.

Socrative

Website:  www.socrative.com
Student website:  m.socrative.com

 How it works:  Teacher creates an initial account (one time task).  Teacher simply chooses, from the menu, which type of question or quiz to use (multiple choice, true/false, short answer, etc.)  and GO!  Teacher screen will display a "room number".  Teacher asks a question verbally.

Students simply go to m.socrative.com.  No login is needed for students.  The screen says "room number" with a "Join Room" button.  Student joins the room, selects the answer and then results for all students are displayed on the teacher screen.

It is quick and easy to add more questions while students are already in the "room".

Features:

• Quick data collection.  
• Anonymous student response.
• Questions posed verbally.
• No student login.
• Easy to ask multiple consecutive questions.
• Students can respond from desktop, laptop, iPad, iPhone, or other mobile device.

PollEverywhere

Website:  http://www.polleverywhere.com/

How it works:  Teacher creates an initial account (one time task).   Teacher creates a poll, selecting either "Open Ended" or "Multiple Choice".  For Open-Ended there are four choices on how to display the results and for Multiple Choice, any number of answers greater than one can be added.  Teacher writes the answer choices (if Multiple Choice).


Students read the question on the teacher's display.  To respond, students follow on screen directions.  They will either go to PollEv.com and type in the number corresponding to their selected answer or they will text message to a number with the number corresponding to their selected answer.

Features:

• Quick data collection.  
• Anonymous student response.
• Ability to save and re-use previous polls.
• Questions printed on the screen.
• No student login.
• Students can respond from desktop, laptop, iPad, iPhone, or other mobile device.

Padlet

Website:  www.padlet.com

How it works:  Anyone can go to padlet.com and click "Create Wall".  A unique URL is generated for your "wall", which is like a bulletin board.  Simply share the URL and everyone can add sticky notes to the wall.  Walls can be named and the URL can be saved and shared, so the participants can add ideas to the wall at a later time.   Teacher may log in, if desired, so as to save, organize, and access all

of his or her previously created walls.

Features:

• Quick data collection.
• Participants can "vote" or add ideas more than once.
• Optional to add name or anonymous.
• No login necessary for anyone.
• Optional teacher login provides additional functionality.
• Ability to post links, upload files, or take photos.
• Can name board appropriately and save forever.
• Walls can be embedded on websites or linked from anywhere by URL
• Students can respond from desktop, laptop, iPad, iPhone, or other mobile device.