They just keep multiplying!!!

We went from 2 to 26 overnight (iPads that is); now I'm really asking, "Now what???" and "Why and how?" I think I'm at the point where I have far more questions than I do answers and that seems to be a common thread in my conversations with people. I think we just need to keep the conversations going and keep the "why" at the forefront.
In the meantime, I keep trying to find ways to add kids work to this blog because I want them to see themselves as part of the technology and that technology is about much more than playing games. So for now, I will start slow and keep asking questions. Answers anyone???

Cue iPads, now what???

You know that feeling when you wake up on your birthday and you know it's going to be an amazing day, but you really don't know exactly what's going to happen? You may have an idea of what you would like to happen, but sometimes it's out of your control. That's kind of how I'm feeling this week. The technology train is about to roll into Thompson station, but who knows what the cargo is or where the train is heading next?
We have our school district's mobile iPad lab on the way and two of the 5 iPads we've ordered have arrived. Now what??? I just keep thinking how great this will be, but I'm not sure how or why. I keep hoping someone will magically appear and tell us what to do and what we need, then I pause and think, "No wait, maybe I need to be that person." That fills me with equal parts excitement and panic. I know very little about what this new technology can offer, but I guarantee I will be learning it from someone like Amber (with the headphones on). I also know I need to step aside and listen to Amber and to all the others in our school who know so much more than me.
Stay tuned for where the train goes next!

Well, the snow finally arrived and with it came shoveling, mopping and salting, but even better than all of those things, there also came snow angels, snow forts and attempts at making snow people. Out we went for recess and lunch, despite the frigid West Coast temperature of -2. 
A special thank you to Mike for helping out at recess and making sure the snow throwing was kept to a minimum; we are so mean I know!!!

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine version - Official

I've shown this video now to three classes ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 5. Most of the responses have been, "Cool, Awesome..." The best response though came from Shane (Grade 5) at the end of the day. I was lucky enough to hear this while out in the parking lot saying good-bye to everyone. Shane and two of his buddies were arranging a play date so they could go to Dimtri's house to build a Rube Goldberg machine. When I was outside on recess duty the next day, I asked Dimitri about it and he said it was fun but really hard and it didn't really work, but that he is going home again today to try again.

First Post!!!

Where to start? I kind of feel like my first blog is like being the new kid at school; what kind of impression do I want to make? Do I want to come across as witty, intelligent, fun, reflective, or a combination of all of the above? I think more than anything, I would want to be the kind of student that fits in easily and makes some good friends.
I hope to share what kinds of things I am thinking about, questions I have, and more importantly, what kinds of things keep me going both at work and at play.