iPad Set-up: The students learn what "pilot" means and I use the iPad set-up as a "get to know you" activity

"Click twice on the arrow to get all caps."
"Use two fingers to scroll down so you don't accidentally make that line."
"You can record your voice with that microphone at the top."

These are the types of statements, suggestions, and sometimes commands my students have been blurting out in class as they learn the basics and nuances of using the iPad.

I allotted two days for initial iPad set up, which ended up being a good way to prevent frustration and set the right atmosphere for our class. After the first day of assigning each student his iPad and doing basic set-up and email, the second day included trouble shooting all the email/login issues we had noted the day before and installing my list of chosen free education apps. The best thing that could have happened was that all the students walked into class on the second day at different levels of iPad knowledge. Plus, I had two other very competent adults in the room to work with them to trouble-shoot.

As my tech coordinator Paul and my amazing TA and friend Angela walked around patiently helping, I started doing the same; soon I instead found myself chatting with each of them about something they installed or planned to install (pictures, wallpapers, apps, and of course games). One boy discussed his pride in his Mexican heritage through his home screen picture and showed me that he's still choosing between other photos of Mexico for his lock screen option. He then volunteered to show me how to do it. (I already knew how, but of course I let him "teach" me anyway.) I bonded with five of them over our shared love of the White Sox. Two boys shared with me pictures of their dream sports jerseys and shoes. I saw more One Direction and Justin Beiber pictures than I really needed. I chatted with another boy, who taught me that the fans of his favorite band are called juggalos. (The band is ICP, in case you aren't hip like I am. Ha ha!).

Another girl showed me how she had organized her iPad into folders: She separated "games" from "school" (My ICP fan also has a similar folder, but of course his is called "Skewl.") Later in the hour, when we were installing the list of apps I had planned, she also shared all her app choices and even led the class in installing them. (The clever girl had thought to get apps like dictionary.com and a calculator.)

Since then, they've regularly been sharing their discoveries and tips. Some of my shy, quiet little freshmen have even gotten up in front and walked the others through how to do it. Letting them take the lead on some of these things is working out pretty well so far.

On the first day of school, my students and I discussed what the word "pilot" meant and what we'd all have to expect as members of this pilot program. Within the first two weeks of school, they're proving to me that they understand and now embody that world.