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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

A Slice of Apple!

Tuesday's Slice, at The Two Writing Teachers (Thanks Ruth and Stacey for hosting this!)

Our busy summer is flying by, mainly because it's been chocked full of activities!  The latest activity, which began today, Apple iMovie Camp-is for Kam...and secretly for me too.  A few months back I reflected on how one of the things I learned this year is you never know unless you ask... Consequently, here is another example. 

I was searching for a fun "camp-like" experience for Kameron to attend that was reasonably priced.  At first, we looked into Lego camp (not near by and a little pricey).  Then I thought, I'll google "Apple Camp"-you'll never know unless you ask.  Low and behold, check out what they offer -Apple Camp for Youths!  And, it's "FREE"!  Imagine!  So I registered Kam for the camp because he's really interested in learning how to make movies etc.  He wants to design video games "when he grows up".  So today was "our" first day of camp.

What I observed:
  • Camp counselors that were very down to Earth, and professional yet kid-friendly
  • A clean environment loaded with technology options-a retail store taking the risk to share the devices with kids
  • A generous spirit of giving-each kid got a free camp t-shirt and cute name tags
  • Lots of smiles on counselors' and kids' faces
  • freedom to choose how they wanted to design their movies
  • a risk-taking air that made the kids feel like it was going to be ok to make mistakes and ask questions (ideally how a classroom should be-thanks for the model!)
What Kam experienced:
  • hearing and learning that it's ok to try something new
  • it's ok to ask questions
  • being patient with others who aren't there yet
  • learning in such a way that he could and would teach it to someone else (me  :))
  • using a  6 block storyboard as the basis for creating the movie
  • learning how to make the music to go with the movie
What I learned:
  • Kam taught me how to layer the instruments in "Garage Band"
  • Learning together is fun!
  • I am excited to go back to the Apple Store and see what we learn next...
I want to thank Apple and the staff at the store for making us feel so welcome (no they aren't paying me to write this) on the first day of camp!  It's been a great experience so far and I hope it continues.  I am looking forward to movie day on Saturday, when the children who attended the camp get to show their movies...what a great slice of Apple!

Update-Day 2-
Day 2 was just as fabulous as Day 1-now we're excited to attend "Family Film Fest" on Saturday when all of the movies will be premiered!

43 comments:

  1. Slice of apple...I love that! Great that you can learn together. I love storyboarding.

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    1. Thanks Betsy!
      How have you used story boarding?

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  2. I love learning at the Apple store. My one-to-one sessions there make me so happy that I almost dance out of the store! So glad Kam's enjoying the experience and sharing his learning with you.

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    1. Thanks Ramona!
      Do the one on one classes cost $?

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  3. Second reference to Apple that I've seen tonight. I worked at Apple for 2 years WHILE I was teaching. Taught weekdays, worked at Apple nights and Saturdays. I loved working there, and loved Apple Camp days!

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    1. Was it hard to get your foot in the door there?

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  4. How great is that that you found this camp for your son & by Apple, which is terrific, & it's free. Wow! And you are learning too. Very nice.

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    1. Yes, The learner in me marvels at how easily children pick things up when given the right conditions for learning!

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  5. This sounds like such a perfect summer experience - thanks for sharing about it, and about how you ALL have learned after only one day!

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    1. Yes and there will be more learning to come!

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  6. Your positive lists about the camp are better than any paid review could be. I like the "learning together is fun" the best.

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    1. Thanks Terje! I think learning and fun go hand in hand...

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  7. I want to go to Apple camp. There is so much I don't know. What a treat to be able to do this with your son. I have a student just like him. He's already making movies with his iTouch. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I swear the employees were so nice there! I can't get over it!

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  8. For the past few months we've been trying to get some constructive answers and help in setting up my dad who's legally blind with an Iphone 4.

    A few weeks ago, we journeyed to the Apple Store a good drive from home, and had such a positive experience.

    Hearing your tale just affirmed our high thinking of the Apple Store.

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    1. Thanks for sharing this story! I have heard so many great experiences about the Apple Store connection! Glad your dad got help!

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  9. Great! I can just imagine what a thrill it is to share this with your son! I enjoyed a workshop last summer at Butler University with a group of teachers learning imovie, but this sounds even better.

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    1. And imagine taking a whole class of students there! Wouldn't that be a fun field trip?

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  10. Amazing! Just another reason for me to continue my lifelong love of Apple products. Who knows where you sweet boy will be in 10 years...but mine is at a non-profit in Mexico doing a documentary ...thanks to the love affair with Apple, in part. I agree with Margaret...I want to go to Apple camp too. xo nanc

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    1. Wow! I guess you never know what will inspire future greatness Nanc! I will share this with Kam!

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  11. I want to go to Apple Camp (can you hear the whine in my voice?). This sounds awesome. What a great way to spend a few summer days

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  12. What a great experience for you both! I went to an "IPad Exploration" day at a local Apple store and was somewhat overwhelmed. I should have taken a "kid" with me!

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    1. I have a kiddo who would volunteer if you ever need one and you're in the area!
      Thanks Anita!

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  13. What a great learning journey for your son and you!

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  14. This is so cool! I'll have to see if something like this exists in my area.

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    1. Be sure to check it out! Definitely a great experience!

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  15. Found out today that they will do field trips for classrooms too! Hook up with the "Creative" Director at your nearest Apple Store!

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  16. Wow! This is awesome information. so glad this worked out for your son... sure not the kind of camp I went too!

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    1. I know right? One of the moms there was smiling with me when we listened to the boys chattering away about what they were working on

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  17. This sounds like a great learning experience. I want to work at an Apple store!

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  18. I had no idea something like this existed. How neat!

    We live 45 minutes away from the nearest Apple Store. Perhaps one will open up closer by the time Isabelle comes of age for something like this.

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    1. I hope it does for Isabelle's sake! It was really fun for Kam

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  19. What fun! I love that it's FREE! How perfect is that - and time to just play and learn. Just what school should be about too! Thanks for your reflections as well.

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    1. Thanks Michelle!
      It solidifies the idea that play makes learning permanent!

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  20. Sounds like you and your son are having a fantastic time at camp - how special it is that you are both learning so much and can share what you've learned. Hope the rest of the week is just as fun. The best part is that it's free.

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    1. I know free is great right! I would have been willing to pay for this! Yes! Thanks Judy!

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  21. What a wonderful camp! Your son will remember this for a long time!

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  22. Apple Camp???!!!!! This sounds way fun!!!! I've always wanted to learn to do iMovie! I'm just finishing Peter Johnston's OPENING MINDS, and am struck by how many parallels I see between the conditions Apple created for campers and Peter Johnston's comments about ideal conditions for learning!

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  23. Thanks Carol,
    I noticed how the conditions for learning were parallel with the theories Johnston has in Opening Minds too! Thanks for drawing this connection!

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