Yay! One more activity to be added to my reading task-board--ipads! That was my initial reaction when I was told that my class was one of the few classes chosen to experiment with the use of ipads. Delighted as I was, I know that not only it can provide an extra activity that can keep the students busy but one that has activities that are meaningful for the students. I was thinking of the easy use of the applications that were sitting on the ipad and all the kids need to do is to tap the one that they are assigned to engage on and away they go. Life is so easy and simple because of this….even a three years old can do this easily.
I have downloaded apps that are entirely literacy oriented, maths oriented plus a few games to reward the students who have been doing all the right things. At literacy time--when I take my micro groups, the children are able to listen to stories using the READ ME app, or play the words bingo game and even learn to form the letters correctly using the writing app. And when it comes to maths time, they can learn to add and subtract in a fun and interactive way. They even have the opportunity to learn to read and say the time on the clock. All these activities are parts of the rotation activities that are listed on the Reading and Maths task boards. The Children know what activity to go to by looking at the task boards which are posted on my classroom wall.
As a smart teacher, I have also used it as a behaviour management tool in the classroom. This may sound a bit odd for a modern teacher but it comes in very handy when dealing with difficult students who are challenging in normal circumstances. I almost burst out laughing one morning when this child said to me: “ Miss, I have been really good today, can I go on the ipad twice ? “.
This is of course only the beginning of a long journey and we are just experimenting and I am very aware there are a lot more we can do with this awesome tool called ipad. So my courteous readers, thank you for taking time to read this and may be you can help us develop a better system.
Monday, June 25, 2012
IPads in My Classroom!
Recently my class have started to use ipad as a learning tool. Here are some of my thoughts on it!
Yay! One more activity to be added to my reading task-board--ipads! That was my initial reaction when I was told that my class was one of the few classes chosen to experiment with the use of ipads. Delighted as I was, I know that not only it can provide an extra activity that can keep the students busy but one that has activities that are meaningful for the students. I was thinking of the easy use of the applications that were sitting on the ipad and all the kids need to do is to tap the one that they are assigned to engage on and away they go. Life is so easy and simple because of this….even a three years old can do this easily.
I have downloaded apps that are entirely literacy oriented, maths oriented plus a few games to reward the students who have been doing all the right things. At literacy time--when I take my micro groups, the children are able to listen to stories using the READ ME app, or play the words bingo game and even learn to form the letters correctly using the writing app. And when it comes to maths time, they can learn to add and subtract in a fun and interactive way. They even have the opportunity to learn to read and say the time on the clock. All these activities are parts of the rotation activities that are listed on the Reading and Maths task boards. The Children know what activity to go to by looking at the task boards which are posted on my classroom wall.
As a smart teacher, I have also used it as a behaviour management tool in the classroom. This may sound a bit odd for a modern teacher but it comes in very handy when dealing with difficult students who are challenging in normal circumstances. I almost burst out laughing one morning when this child said to me: “ Miss, I have been really good today, can I go on the ipad twice ? “.
This is of course only the beginning of a long journey and we are just experimenting and I am very aware there are a lot more we can do with this awesome tool called ipad. So my courteous readers, thank you for taking time to read this and may be you can help us develop a better system.
Yay! One more activity to be added to my reading task-board--ipads! That was my initial reaction when I was told that my class was one of the few classes chosen to experiment with the use of ipads. Delighted as I was, I know that not only it can provide an extra activity that can keep the students busy but one that has activities that are meaningful for the students. I was thinking of the easy use of the applications that were sitting on the ipad and all the kids need to do is to tap the one that they are assigned to engage on and away they go. Life is so easy and simple because of this….even a three years old can do this easily.
I have downloaded apps that are entirely literacy oriented, maths oriented plus a few games to reward the students who have been doing all the right things. At literacy time--when I take my micro groups, the children are able to listen to stories using the READ ME app, or play the words bingo game and even learn to form the letters correctly using the writing app. And when it comes to maths time, they can learn to add and subtract in a fun and interactive way. They even have the opportunity to learn to read and say the time on the clock. All these activities are parts of the rotation activities that are listed on the Reading and Maths task boards. The Children know what activity to go to by looking at the task boards which are posted on my classroom wall.
As a smart teacher, I have also used it as a behaviour management tool in the classroom. This may sound a bit odd for a modern teacher but it comes in very handy when dealing with difficult students who are challenging in normal circumstances. I almost burst out laughing one morning when this child said to me: “ Miss, I have been really good today, can I go on the ipad twice ? “.
This is of course only the beginning of a long journey and we are just experimenting and I am very aware there are a lot more we can do with this awesome tool called ipad. So my courteous readers, thank you for taking time to read this and may be you can help us develop a better system.
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ReplyDeleteWelcome to the journey of using iPads in the classroom. I can tell you from experience that your classroom will never be the same. I am an Educational Technology Support Specialist for three schools in Newnan, Georgia. Currently we only have one class set for an entire school to share, and they are in constant use.
ReplyDeleteOnce you and your students feel a little more acclimated, I encourage the use of the apps I will list for you to begin exploring screencasting and discussion boards. I think you will see amazing things happening in your classroom. The biggest benefits I saw with the classes I worked with was the excitement and the individualized learning.
This tool has a way to reach our students on multiple levels. It provides resources and ways to empower our 21st century learners. As we continue to explore and learn together, our students will be the ones that benefit the most.
In case you are unfamiliar with the terms screencasting and discussion boards, I have included their definitions below and the Apps I am suggesting.
Screencasting:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screencast
Educreations
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/educreations-interactive-whiteboard/id478617061?mt=8
Show Me
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8
ScreenChomp http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/screenchomp/id442415881?mt=8
Discussion boards: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discussion_board
Collaborize Classroom http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com/
Edmodo http://www.edmodo.com/
Hi, Alll,
DeleteThank you so much for reading my blog! It means a lot to me! Your input is greatly appreciated!
No, I am not familiar with screencasting and thank you for suggesting it to me!
Once again, thank you for your kind amazing words!
Jenny.
When I was a very young boy, I had a reading disability. The good sisters of the blessed virgin mary pulled my parents aside and told them the only way to help me was to sit me down and get me to read out loud. Back in "those days" there were no resources to call upon and my father struggled to put food on the table and send me to private school. The schools in Chicago were not very good even back then.
ReplyDeleteSo they sat me down and had me read the church bulletin then the Sunday paper. I struggled, yet I caught up to the other students, but more importantly it instilled in me the love of reading which I have to this day.
I am so enthusiastic that iPads and the like have come to classrooms, I can only image what it can do for students like I was who struggled with one of the very essences of what is needed to carry on in this ever increasingly complex world we navigate through.
I read your tweets and all the wonderful things you do. Great work you are doing..
Wally Slowik
Wally,
DeleteYou are very lucky to have had parents that were invested and helped you overcome your reading disability. It is wonderful that you are an avid reader today. We are very fortunate as educators and parents that we have available resources to help our young people.
Jenny is doing remarkable things in the classroom and her students will benefit greatly from it. We must continue to strive to incorporate new things into our schools. Our children learn very differently today, and we must do our best to adapt to their needs.
As long as we remember that technology is here to help us and embrace the amazing things we can now accomplish,our future will be bright.
Hi, Wally!
DeleteWow! You have made me smile. Thank you for taking your time to read my blog. It really means a lot to me! Sorry...the article does not have paragraphs because when I copied and pasted from pages, it wouldn't let me. ( I am a Mac user ).
You are right there! The kids who are struggling in learning how to spell and form letters correctly or even reading aloud find it easier to learn using the ipads. I have paired the kids up so they can help and learn from each other. They love it and they are always totally engaged on the tasks that they are meant to do.
I have to say that I am very blessed to be teaching in a school where technologies are highly valued and supported. Our senior students all have their individual netbooks and they do most work online.
Thanks again!
Jenny.
Hello Miss. Jenny, I'm a student at the University of South Alabama in the course of EDM310. I love your blog post. I love the ipad. I don't have one but I do have a Samsung Galaxy tablet and my three year old love it. I downloaded many games and activities for him to keep him busy. It is a great time tool to have in the classroom or out. Its very easy for the students to use and learn with. I cannot wait for my future classroom to have one. Have a nice school year. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHello Ms. She, My name is Sidney Jensen and I am also a student in Edm 310 at the University of South Alabama. I am so excited for you and your students to have the opportunity to work with the ipad in your classes. We have recently been watching several videos in our class on how to use these tools in our classes. I really liked the information available in videos about the iSchool initiative. It is a movement that was started by a high school student. For the video and other materials, see my blog at http://jensensidneyedm310.blogspot.com/. I also hope that the ipad hasn't become a replacement worksheet in your classroom. It is a tool for exploration and learning that your students can use but only with your guidence. Keep up the good work. Sidney Jensen
ReplyDeleteHello Miss Jenny. My name is Hillary Hayes and I am a a junior in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama where I am studying secondary special education. I was greatly intrigued to see that you have incorporated the use of iPads into your classroom. I hope to one day be able to do the same thing in my own classroom. I believe the advancements in technology are going to help the advancements in our education systems. I would love to get some more feedback from you about how your classes have adapted to the use of this technology and how well the students are adjusting to the changes.
ReplyDeleteHillary Hayes
@hillkhayes
Hello Ms. She,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jamie Ham. I am a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM310. I enjoyed reading your post. IPads are a great tool in many different ways for many different people. Technology is advancing so much and so fast. I think that iPads and other technology should be incorporated more in the classroom. I am glad to see you using it in your classroom. Thanks for sharing!
Jamie Ham
Ms. She,
ReplyDeleteI am also a student at the University of South Alabama in Dr. Strange's EDM310 class. Personally I think the use of devices such as the iPad offer some more individual type attention. I may not be a person standing there with them, but the computer is able to tell them if it is right or wrong. If it is right then it reinforces the correct answer and gives rewards. If it is wrong it will inform them that it is incorrect and encourages them to try again. If they still struggle it will so them the correct answer/way a task should be done.
Hi Ms. She,
ReplyDeleteI am Jana Sharpe and I am also in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. Thanks for sharing about using the iPad in class! I would love to know what you think are the pros and cons you think of using an iPad were after trying them out! When I start teaching I think an ipad would be a normal thing in a classroom and I would love as much information as I can get!
Ms. She,
ReplyDeleteI am Ashley Showles, and I am a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. Through EDM 310, I am learning about many different kinds of technology that can be incorporated into the classroom. So, it was really nice to read your blog post and see how you actually use this technology in your classroom. I think using iPads in the classroom is a great idea because it provides immediate feedback to the student. I think iPads are a great tool, and they should be incorporated in more classrooms. Thanks for sharing your experience with incorporating iPads in your classroom!