2022-2023 New Beginnings

It’s August 2022 and this year we will be on campus, not hybrid, and we can learn in one classroom again. Throughout my 33 years in education, no year is the same just as no child is the same. I taught when we only had a few Apple IIE’s in a closet in our pod where students raced to insert a floppy disk to play The Oregon Trail. The graphics were not that evolved from the yesteryear of Pong and other Atari games. Now we have a 1:1 iPad program with instant access to each other and the world around us.

Some things haven’t changed ~

 

The stillness of a hallway just before the first person arrives at school each morning which also might be same as the solo walk out to the parking lot long after the sun has set.

The thrill of getting off campus, a break from the daily routine, and the opportunity to immerse ourselves in our community.

 

Face to face conversations with colleagues who brave hurricanes to experience the outdoors at Camp Hanes with our students. Sleeping on a bunk bed with a room full of 6th graders who whisper and giggle throughout the night while rolling over on squeaky plastic mattresses is not for the faint of heart.

 

A learning community

Treats

 

New experiences

Creating with collaboration

Taking risks and pushing ourselves

Problem solving and determination

 

Striving

Choices and chances

 

There are many things to be grateful for each year.

What is something you are grateful for this year?

 

iPads by Nate

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In sixth grade we got iPads. I use my iPad the most in either Spanish or Language Arts. In Language Arts I use it for homework, Membean, and in class for blog posts. In Spanish I use it for homework and studying. I can use Keynote for projects and Evernote for homework. My favorite app is Google Docs because I can do a lot on it. I think iPads were a good choice this year.

iPads by Charlie

This year we used iPads to test them out, for possible use for school. It was a huge success, in my opinion.  A favorite applications of mine was the BrainPop app. The iPads are special because they are a mobile learning device. The tech teachers put all sorts of learning apps on them! They were a really cool addition to the curriculum! By the the middle of the year in Language Arts, all we used were iPads! They are coming back next year too!

iPads by Bella K.

Picture by Mr.Schafer
The iPads have been a great new gadget this year. Many people prefer to have an Apple laptop instead, and I do too, but remember just to be happy with what you have because 99% of all other schools in the United States probably don’t have this iPad opportunity. It is true that the iPad did not reduce any books to carry, and many have not used the iPad a single time in some of their classes, but because of the other classes where we do use the iPad, it has been a huge help. some of The apps I have used for those classes are: Evernote, Sketchbook Pro, Reminders, Notes, and Google Drive.

 

iPads Michael S

Photo from: http://www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/

Photo from: http://www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year we have been given the opportunity of using iPads. IPads are great for projects. The apps I use for projects are: Evernote, Pages, Keynote, Google Docs, Skitch, and Sketchbook. My favorite app would probably be Evernote because I love the layout and it’s really easy to use. IPads have helped me in a great way by taking notes, studying, sharing notes, and having access to teachers notebooks. I use my iPad in every class but rarely in math class. We mostly use it in Language Arts. I am very happy that we had the chance to use iPads.

iPads by Jack H

 

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At the school I go to we are assigned an iPad for the whole year, I use my ipad in all of my classes but I use it the most in Language Arts. In Language Arts we use the iPads for Membean, writing down homework, writing, blogging and some people read on their iPad.

The iPads also help me in other classes. For instance, in French if Mme. E asks use to look up a word in French, everyone in the class will use them to look it up. Overall, I think that the iPads helped my learning.

iPads by Alex P.

This year at Durham Academy, the middle school students all got an iPad each. They were lent by the school to us. We can take them home and to every class. iPads are great because they’re small and portable and we don’t have to go to the computer lab for everything with technology.

Some of our textbooks are on there and there are several great apps to help us study, such as Quizlet, Voicecards, and Trading Cards. However, they are a big responsibility and they also can malfunction. Another problem is that I really don’t like typing on glass. Also, next they are getting a lot of the textbooks only on the iPad. I do not like that because I prefer regular textbooks. It’s easier to flip the pages and highlight. iPads are also helpful because you can always access your emails and the Internet.

 

Experiencing an iPad by Sam G.

This is totally awesome that students at Durham Academy get iPads this year! We are the first Durham Academy middle school students to have iPads for this year. For Spanish we use the mobile version of Google Translate and for browsers we have Safari, Google, and Google Chrome. We also have: Reminders, Evernote, Calendar, Mail, Keynote, Blogsy, Kindle App, Nook App, Pages, Google Drive, Comic Life, Google Drive MindMeister. These are the apps I use the most every day.

 

iPads By: Ryan

IPads are great learning devices. I like using iPads because I can go online to learn things and search  when I need to. I also like how homework is in Evernote so I can access it anywhere. Another great thing about the iPads is that I can type out words instead of having to write on paper.

We use iPads depending on the class. Some classes we use iPads often and other classes we don’t use them at all! I like iPads better than paper because I can email and connect to other people. I thought the iPads were a lot of fun this year and I hope we will have them every year.

 

iPad by Vasili C.

This year with the iPads has been successful in my opinion because of teachers using it in every class each day. The classes that I use it in are Spanish, math, science, health sometimes, history, and Language Arts a lot. The only class that I don’t use the iPad for is band, but that is because we have no need for them. For next year I hope to get the iPads again.