In a past
life I ran a school library, in that library I used Google Calendar for the
library timetable, the computer lab timetable, the boardroom and the small
private tute room. I set it up with colour coding and found this easily
accessible for teachers and myself and it eliminated double booking, which had
been a problem in the past. In the classroom I see Google calendar as a
valuable tool for students, parents and teachers alike. This may also reduce
student excuses for not having assignments ready, knowing the excursion dates.
This may help develop better organisational skills for all stakeholders.
Google also supplies us with many tools that are accessible from anywhere, be it school or home. For example Google docs and Google PowerPoint are great for collaborative work when the participants are not always in the same room. Students can successfully participate in these without fear of their information being deleted. These are both great planning and presenting tools that can be accessed using any computer, laptop, iPad or mobile device anywhere with internet connection.
Then we are
blessed with Google earth, images, maps; the list is endless. These Google gods
give us many opportunities to learn about our world, environment and people
within it. Sadly this also opens us up to opportunities to view less than
desirable information, not always truthful. For this reason, it is
imperative that students learn the difference. As students become more
competent navigating the internet they may be able to develop the ability to
know the difference using quality research engines.
I am very
greatful for my Ipad. Thanks to my iPad I am now a musician because I have virtuoso, I am a digital enhancer
thanks to toon camera, magic video, twist, sketch, posterHD-lite, PToonHDLT and
PopBooth.
I am able to
throw a pot and sell it with Pottery HD Lite. Here is one I made
earlier.
And then
there are the games. Educational games of course, many games for Maths, English
or any learning area. iPads are quite versatile as a
tool as this YouTube shows. There are many examples of iPad use in the classroom.
There is an app that takes dictation. In learning I believe this may be a great tool for students that struggle with written language. The students may use an iPad to recount or narrate text. This then may assist them the in writing their own piece of text.
The iPad was also used to demonstrate my dog training abilities. There was a reason for three recordings, even though he is very cute! I believe this to be a great tool for students to record their own progress in a number of ways. Initially, students may develop confidence in speaking in front of peers. Secondly students may view themselves in a reflective way to enable them to see where they may improve their verbal skills. Finally they may assist their peers in cool and warm feedback to further develop these skills. Students may track their own progress to develop and improve more proficient public speaking skills.
I have used an IPad in the classroom for students to use a maths manipulative to explain fractions. This was recorded by another student and shown to the class. The response was very positive for a number of reasons. Students were able to make meaning with the resources as well as hone their verbal skills. The other student was able to film thereby acquiring another skill. Finally these mini movies can be uploaded to another site for other students to utilise.
There is an app that takes dictation. In learning I believe this may be a great tool for students that struggle with written language. The students may use an iPad to recount or narrate text. This then may assist them the in writing their own piece of text.
The iPad was also used to demonstrate my dog training abilities. There was a reason for three recordings, even though he is very cute! I believe this to be a great tool for students to record their own progress in a number of ways. Initially, students may develop confidence in speaking in front of peers. Secondly students may view themselves in a reflective way to enable them to see where they may improve their verbal skills. Finally they may assist their peers in cool and warm feedback to further develop these skills. Students may track their own progress to develop and improve more proficient public speaking skills.
I have used an IPad in the classroom for students to use a maths manipulative to explain fractions. This was recorded by another student and shown to the class. The response was very positive for a number of reasons. Students were able to make meaning with the resources as well as hone their verbal skills. The other student was able to film thereby acquiring another skill. Finally these mini movies can be uploaded to another site for other students to utilise.
iPads can be
utilised for use in group rotations as another station for students to explore
the current learning area. I see iPads being used for demonstration purposes to
assist any type of learning. In the classroom I have also witnessed iPads
being used as timers in science. As it is a large screen all students were able
to view the timer which added to the excitement of the experiments as they
began to count down together. This meant students remained engaged for the
whole lesson, not just their own segment.
When used for authentic learning iPads can be an asset to the classroom, however without adequate knowledge of iPad abilities, teachers may use iPads for nothing more than games as time fillers and rewards.
When used for authentic learning iPads can be an asset to the classroom, however without adequate knowledge of iPad abilities, teachers may use iPads for nothing more than games as time fillers and rewards.
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