Here's a neat idea for a smaller classroom iPad charging station.

http://technologyinearlychildhood.com/2013/12/08/dish-drainer-ipad-charging-center/

Online Conferencing/Collaboration

The end of the semester can be both exciting and exhausting. As we look forward to the semester's end we also have a flood of end-of-the-semester projects, tests, makeup work, and in some cases, exams. Sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day! Many of our students can't stay after school because they have to ride the bus, athletic/band practice, etc. So how about extending your time/opportunities with online conferencing and collaboration? Here are a few ideas: What if you could team-teach within your grade-level, without leaving your room? What if you could hold an evening study session online? What if you and the other teachers could take turns proctoring a homework assistance program? What if students were organized into online study groups? What other ideas could you come up with? *Most of these applications would require students to have internet access which might be a problem for some. Here are some programs/software that could be used for conferencing and collaboration that I may not have mentioned before.  

• Google Hangout - I know I've already talked about Google Drive/Docs ability to share files and collaborate. Today I'll add the Google Hangout component. Using Google Hangout you can share live video conferencing with up to 10 students for free. So you could talk while you collaborate. However, this would require students to have webcams and Google accounts.
  
• Presentation.io - This website application allows you to upload a PowerPoint and send out a link to the conference. You can basically deliver a live presentation/lesson online. There are no programs to download or memberships required. Participants would need a computer/smartphone, speakers, and the link. The free version can remain online for 4 hours before it disappears. 
• Zoom.us - Zoom allows an unlimited number of participants for a limited amount of video conferencing. I believe a conference can last for 40 minutes. No membership is required for the participants (just the teacher). There may be a browser extension that has to be agreed to and installed but not a major software installation. I have personally used this as a Skype alternative to video conference with my family. The free version of Skype won't allow multiple participants. With Zoom I have conferenced with my parents in Alabama, my daughter in Hiram, GA, my son up in his room, my daughter in college in Virginia, and my wife in her room - all at the same time! Last week I used Zoom to tutor my daughter for her Biology test in College. She sent me the teacher's PowerPoint. I pulled it up on my computer and shared it with her over Zoom and walked her through the PowerPoint, explaining the more difficult concepts!
• Oovoo.com - Oovoo is like Zoom except that each participant has to have an Oovoo account. The advantage is that it does not limit you to 40 minute sessions like Zoom. However, we probably shouldn't be doing 3 hour lectures over the internet anyway! But, if you wanted to have an open drop-in conference during the evening, Oovoo would allow you to stay online all evening.

Zoom and Oovoo work best if each participant has internet access and a webcam, or smartphone access. Google Hangout, Zoom, and Oovoo have iPhone and Android apps. Presentation.io doesn't have an app but could be viewed through a smartphone browser.   Of course the iPads would work with these in a wireless environment.

What other things have you tried?