Welcome!

Welcome!!!

After completing my NETS*T Certification this year (along with 5 other amazing techie teachers!), my school division rewarded us with a great surprise.  We were given the opportunity to choose from a collection of tools that would continue us on our journey to find innovative ways to build digital literacy and citizenship in our classroom.  It was completely unexpected and we were instantly excited!  

The list included: a short-throw LCD projector, 3 iPod Touches, 1 iPad2, or 6 digital voice recorders. 

My mind instantly began the daunting task of weighing the pros and cons of each gadget in an effort to make the best decision for my classroom.  I quickly decided that a short-throw projector would simply be easier as far as classroom configuration, but I wasn't sure I could find ways for it to be more beneficial to my students' learning than a regular projector, so that was the first one off the list.  I also realized, while the convenience and multitude of 6 digital recorders could lead to great group projects with high mobility, I knew I could get the same (though less mobile) results using other technology.  This left me with the iPod Touches and the iPad2.  As I did my research, I began to wonder if my division would allow me to go down a different path.  I've always been a huge fan of the Android OS (and Google), and so I proposed that I be allowed to try out an android tablet.  The answer was, Yes!  I am the proud user/explorer of a Motorola Xoom.    

While all of the other teachers in my cohort choose to explore the options an iPad2 has to offer, I began searching for resources that focused on Android.  During my preliminary research, I'd found tons of websites about how iPads could be put to use in schools, so I thought my search for Android-based websites would be easy. 

I was wrong.

When I started searching for resources on the Web that highlighted using the Android OS, I found that, well, there are only a handful.  That's when my idea for Elementary Android came about.

I can't promise that mine will be the best ideas out there, that I'll always have the answers, or that the Android way will always top the iWay, but I can promise that this site will be a place where resources are gathered, ideas are shared, and kids' learning is always the main focus.  I hope you'll join me!  I look forward to all of the great collaboration and learning that will happen as we begin to explore Elementary Android together!

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