Answers to iPad pre-test
1. An iPad has the capabilities to take speech and turn it in to text. True
There are many free and paid apps that will convert the speech of a student into text. I have a student who did not qualify for a speech app on a net book because of his tone and fluency, but is able to use the Dragon App through his iPad. The app works great for him. There are many options available for speech to text apps. The special education link in Unit 3 discusses several of them.
2. An iPad can read a book to a reader. True
Hook up a set of headphones to an iPad and a student can listen to a book being read to him. There are many books that can be downloaded from the APP store at different levels for the child to listen to.
3. It is difficult to search the web on the iPad. False
The web is called Safari on Apple products. If you can type, you can search the web. There is no need to go to google to search, if you type in the link bar at the top of the page, your results will come up in google automatically.
4. Most apps are easy to use. True
The majority of apps have a how-to-page in them. This is extremely helpful when teaching the students how to use a new app. I recommend using the app yourself prior to having the students using it.
5. You cannot print documents from the iPad. False
Many printers now can be set up through the wireless internet on the iPad. This can be done through the settings icon. If your current printer is not compatable with the iPad, don't fear, you can print by hooking up the USB cord that comes with the iPad to the back of the printer.
6. Children can get onto any website or app. False
In the settings, click on general (a new set of options will appear). Approximately half way down, there is a restrictions button. When you click on that, hit enable restrictions on the top of the screen. From there you will be able to limit the apps used, internet, iTunes Store, installing apps, deleting apps, and many more options. There is a password needed to download any app, free or paid.
7. iPads have no video capabilities. False
iPads come with a camera that has video capabilties. This allows the students to video a dance or a demonstration to be used in a variety of ways. Also the teacher can demonstrate something and have the students watch the video during centers or on their own as a form of review.
8. Children will have difficulty adapting to using technology. False
Many children have experience at home with a great deal of technology. Whether it is computers, phones, or iPads, many children have been exposed to technology. Incorporating technology in the classroom has found to increase the students' interest level and success rates on standardized testing.
9. Many websites do not work on an iPad. False
While you might run into some websites that do not completely work on the iPad because of the lack of a flashplayer on the iPad. The main content of the website is viewable on the iPad. Therefore, you are able to navigate the website and get the information from the website as you would if on a computer. Some websites have mobile modes that appear on iPads and mobile phones. Typically at the bottom of the page, you can click on the view desktop page, and the website will appear as it would on a desktop computer.
10. You need to be a computer whiz to figure out an iPad. False
iPads have been used in a variety of places and Apple is constantly discussing the ease of using the iPads. I believe that the iPad is much easier to use than the computer. There are less options which makes it that way. However, the apps and accessability of the apps makes it very user friendly. There are children who are unable to talk are using iPads, after watching their parent or sibling use one, that shows how simple the iPad can be used.