Updated Software

Thank you Jacqui for a great intro to how you use your mimio board. I could not upload the software on the USB properly, so the new techi guy helped me uploaded new software which I have on a USB for anyone who wants to try this. I am now using my board, which is pretty exciting really. The students seem to have a real handle on it and are enjoying telling me what and how to do. Hopefully next term they will use it more themselves during group work.

mimio Interactive Demonstration

I wasn't sure how useful this would be, but I can see myself watching these to help.

Welcome To Your PLG

Congratulations - all of your group are on as authors.  You are the only group to achieve this feat.  This probably means that you're quite a techie group.

You've obviously signed up to a PLG which is about use of a technology.  So the majority of your learning is going to be about the use of this educational tool.  I'm not sure of the levels of confidence/competence with a Mimio - so I'll expect the full gambit of levels.

The first thing to check is that you've all got the technology in your classrooms (BCA has some spares that can be fitted to your whiteboards if you need one).

I'm not a Minio expert I've only seen them in action (not used one myself).  I'm anticipating that the three main ways you will be learning will be...

1. Actual manual use of the technology (how the thing works) - I know the device uses usb and computers.  This should be the quickest learning.  YouTube will be a great source.
2. How to integrate this technology into your lessons.  This can be looked at practically how can you use a Mimio in a drama room, English room, maths room etc.  But there exists are much larger area of professional development in this area.  I've come across some research around "Learning With Digital Devices" which is a massive area of learning (Google it).  Primarily it is about the idea of SAMR (see the below graphic)... basically it is a challenge not to just use technology as a replacement for photocopies or a whiteboard - but to transform our education styles.  
3. Learning from eachother.  This will be the largest area or PD.  I can see that you're from differing subjects but definitely do form those closer relationships around your trial of this technology.  Get into eachothers rooms, share what you're doing with the Mimio's.  

Thanks Justin

Also a virgin .... have i put this in the right place?

Hello all
I'm a blog virgin too, so I may take a while to get the hang of it.

  I've used Mimeo before, but with different software so I need time to figure out what's what and learn to make the most of it.

:D

How exciting two blogs

Right , thanks Justin , am ready to go

Never been on a blog in my life before - absolutely not a techie Justin, and have no idea how to make the most of my mimio or get started hence joining this elite circle!