Apple TV and Student Created Videos

I installed Apple TV into my classroom this week.  I was so excited about adding a component that would allow students to be an integral part of the teaching and learning process by making it easy for students to share their work via the "mirroring" application. The students were able to use their phones or one of the iPads in the classroom to be actively engaged in the lesson. I am still planning for 1:1 iPad integration next year and am beginning to organize lessons to include a variety of apps.  This week, I introduced Dropbox, Screen Chomp, and ShowMe. We had several students out due to sports playoffs.  It was so easy to upload their assignments and Study Guides via a shared folder in Dropbox. The students loved the ease of the app and actually used it for an English assignment later in the week.  With Screen Chomp and ShowMe, "early finishers" created content tutorials for their peers. After we watched the students' creations via Apple TV, I added QR code links to the videos and posted them on practice problems hung around our classroom.  Students were able to use the video tutorials as a helpline as needed. As hoped, the students found the screen castings to be especially helpful.  During one class period, a few students actually passed an iPad around the room to watch the videos to jog their memory for a Bell Ringer activity.  I can certainly see the value in having student created videos.  It is a real and relevant addition that allows students to get assistance anywhere and at any time.