Simple Solutions Using Google Forms

If something can be lost... I will lose it. My desk is disorganized mess (but I generally know where everything is). When I used to hand out novels to my English students, I also passed around a paper with columns for students to sign their names and mark book conditions next to a list of book numbers. Passing around the paper was time consuming and distracting, and when it returned to the bottomless pit of my desk it was a miracle if I could find it again to check books back in.

Flash forward to this year. Instead of passing around a paper, I created a Google Form. Using the class iPads, students quickly typed in the book title, book number, their name, class period, and book condition. Most students were done within one minute. Super easy - and now I have a sortable list.

Organizing iPads

The thirty iPads in my classroom are neatly stored overnight within a Bretford storage cart. When the school day starts, it's important for me to maintain order without sacrificing time. Here's my strategy:

• I have tables in my classroom - seven tables for seven groups. Each student has an assigned seat and an assigned iPad. They share this iPad with whoever has their seat the next period. First thing in the morning, I transfer iPads from the charging station to small crates that live on the tables. Each crate contains four iPads (in folio cases), a cleaning cloth, and four styluses (styli?). Ideally, I'd like the crates to have a handle for easy transportation, but I couldn't find any that suited my needs (and my budget).

• To keep everything straight in my mind, I created a document with a table. The left hand column lists the iPads, the header row lists the five periods I teach. At any time, I can glance at the document and know who has permission to use any iPad. I know if there is a problem with an iPad, who used it last. 

• I also plan on putting stickers on the iPad cases to identify authorized users without having to pull up my document. Moo stickers are perfect for this application - 90 individual stickers for $9.99. I will let each student photograph themself, add the class period and their name to the bottom of the photo, send out to Moo and stick on to the case. I anticipate these will wear out over time, but it will be nice to have a simple way for any teacher or administrator to instantly check if there is an issue.