Check out these 50 different tricks and tips for using your ipad. Some basic hidden features that I now use regularly, through to settings adjustments. A few of my new favourites are...

• The hidden keys if you hold down (full stops, apostrophes, .com/.org etc)
• Camera focus and light meter (adjust the light for your selected subject)
• Adjusting email settings so it shows 5 lines of each email
• Using multi-tasking gestures (swiping down for search/four fingers to  switch between apps etc)
• Find my iPhone function (this has come in handy a few times!)

This is a simple reflection by A J Juliani using technology with a purpose in the classroom. These seven ideas would be useful to consider during unit planning. They include collaborating in real time (students and staff), students reflecting on their education journey using a blog or digital portfolio, and my favourite, using technology to create projects that matter, that have impact beyond the classroom.  

7 Ways to Use Technology with Purpose

This article looks at how flipped learning incorporates the learning fluencies. Learning fluencies are similar to the NZCs key competencies, ways of thinking and approaching learning - a concept perhaps created but definitely promoted by Global Digital Citizen Foundation. 

The article contains highlights the skills students use whilst participating in a flipped classroom (analyse, interpret, interpolate, assess, apply etc) - this is a practice I liked to do in my unit planning so I knew what skills/competencies/actions my students would be taking.

Three over-arching affects mentioned are:

• True differentiation can occur. Lessons can be tailored for students in regards to time, speed, location.
• It promotes the critical thinking. In-class time is spent more effectively.
• It challenges you, the educator, as much as the student. Makes teachers think about the effectiveness of their delivery, and deeper content knowledge.

Flipped Learning, Fluency Style

This article/video gives a great insight into how you might go about creating your own videos for students - an element of the revered 'flipped classroom'.  It also introduced me to Socratic, well worth the look!

Jeremy LeCornu  is an Australian Biology teacher who began posting videos on YouTube for his students. He contacted another science teacher who was 'flipping', Tyler DeWitt, who was part of a team of educators beginning Socratic. Socratic has developed quickly. It not only contains a comprehensive collection of Science videos, but also mathematics, and macro/micro economics (and they're taking votes for the next subject). The site also uses a question/answer forum where its thousands of members can answer questions. This allows answers to be given almost immediately. A profile is set up for contributors so you can have a nosey at backgrounds. 

After his visit to the USA, he became a Socratic contributor, and refined his process of flipping, creating a studio set-up with dual cameras (one on top for the workspace and one in front for the presenter). This is something schools could set up for the use of multiple teachers!

It's not often you see the inner workings of the flipped classroom - it's an interesting insight. A lot of work it seems, but apparently worth it. Just from watching the video I can think of a few things I would try to reduce the workload... 
 
A Flipped Learning Journey: Meet Jeremy LeCornu