How does the iPad, a handheld device, impact education? Is
it just another toy that will be obsolete in a short time? How can we use these
fun devices as educational tools rather than having children simply play with
them? I think these devices can be helpful to students in Elementary.
I have been introduced to the iPad this year and am quite
excited about it for use in education. Before I started to examine the iPad I
saw it simply as something young people ‘played with’, because that is what it
looked like to me. It’s funny to think that I would think people were working
when on their laptop, but playing when on their iPad or iPhone. It comes down
to ignorance and experience for me. I had a laptop which I used for work so
naturally I would think people were using laptops for work. Little handheld
devices I was familiar with were game devices my kids had in the past, so I guess
that’s where my idea of play came from with these little handheld devices. And off
course, I didn’t spend any time thinking about these small devices.
If you find yourself wondering about the value of iPads in
the classroom consider information from the videos, articles and some examples
of apps which I would consider useful in my classroom, or other elementary
classrooms.
Video: In this
video we see students working on presentations. They are working in pairs and
on their own and have only had the iPads for three weeks but are managing quite
well. They certainly look engaged in their learning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ONckr5bEw8
Video: Project
your iPad onto your Mac or PC using reflector app tool, down load, open it up
and you’ ll project right onto mac or pc
you’re using, and connect to your LCD so you can show a group of people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-F9VjMzuqg
Video: This video
shows students from lower elementary to high school using iPads in Chicago
classrooms. . 23 schools in the Chicago area took part in this pilot
project. The results were positive with
student engagement being evident throughout all age groups. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV8M6P9st9Q
Video: This video
shows the basics for a new user of an iPad. Wow. I sure could have used this
video when I got my iPod but I didn’t go to youtube with my questions in the
past. Since we usually buy these tools without any help at the store on how to
use them, this video would seem helpful to me. iPad basics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMht9_F3580
Video: There are
APPs which can be used to make classrooms more inclusive. For example: suggested
apps for autistic and nonverbal students: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGU1ELjS7bQ I like this
video even though it is an hour long. I like that the presenter shows the app
and explains how they can be used along with the price. She has been an Occupational
therapist with 25 years of experience of supporting many syudents.
Video: This video
from the TV show, 60 minutes shows how the iPad has helped
students with autism. It’s worth watching for teachers or parents of children
with autism. The iPad is definitely a big help to many children with autism as
it helps express their ideas in words when they can’t verbalize themselves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3N1lVp27tU
Video: This video
has teachers and students telling why they like the iPad and it shows some
students using the iPad. Some of the same reasons I like the iPad are mentioned
in the video, like the ease with which students can access apps and turn on the
iPad and easily move the iPad from place to place. They also mention how they
are helpful with EAL (English as an additional language) learners. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmulWr39yw4
Article: The
following article from edutopia is a good reminder that teachers need to think
about what their outcomes are before using the iPad apps with their students.
Teachers need to learn how the apps they choose can support learning of the
prescribed outcomes. As mentioned in the
article, teachers have been using apps in the classroom and have done some
rating on the apps for school. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/apps-elementary-classroom-mary-beth-hertz
Article: Here is
an article about 21st century learning. It’s not too early to
consider these ideas when thinking of your child’s future. http://www.teachthought.com/learning/how-to-prepare-student-for-21st-century-survival/
Some apps I would want to use in my
classroom to support writing in general but also reluctant writers:
(I have not included Math apps as I haven't checked many out yet.)
Sentence Builder is available from the Mobile Education Store for a cost of $5.99. This application helps students learn how to build grammatically correct sentences and develop greater word recognition. There are lots of opportunities to choose connector words from words on a roller to match what is in the picture. The app reads the sentence when the student finishes the sentence. To view:
$2.99, L’Escapadou: Montessouri. To make words, a word is said and paired with a picture. There are three spaces (or more depending on the word complexity) for the letters to be dragged and dropped into the letter boxes. When the letters are dragged from the alphabet at the bottom of the page and dropped into their correct spots the word is sounded out one letter at a time as the letter pops into its sequential place in the word. The words go from consonant vowel consonant (CVC) words to words with beginning and ending blends, to r controlled words, to two syllable words etc. If students are not sure of the sound they can hear it just by touching the letter. It would be useful to students at a variety of reading levels. The vowels are blue while the consonants are red which is helpful to students so long as they do not have any visual impairment.
Co:Writer®is a writing tool that aids with phonetic/inventive spelling, grammar, and topic-related vocabulary. It has been used on computers for a number of years and is now available as an app. It is very useful for student who have difficulty writing but have reading skills to allow them to determine if the words that come up are what they want. https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/co-writer/id674099732?mt=8
Book Creator. $4.99 For this price you can get a lot of writing mileage. It’a simple way to create your own beautiful iBooks, right on the iPad. You can type or draw in your words with your fingers and add pictures or videos, then play the books back or send them to family. You can also record you rvoice or another voice for the book.
For some writing APPs: http://www.weareteachers.com/hot-topics/special-reports/awesome-apps-for-the-six-traits-of-writing
Article: Finally,
why we should and shouldn’t use iPads in the classroom. http://mgleeson.edublogs.org/2012/09/30/the-ipad-what-it-should-and-shouldnt-be-for-education/
