Unit 2- Ways iPads can be used
Unit 2 Objective: After completing this unit, the learner will be able to identify many ways to use an iPad in the classroom.
Activities for the unit
Before completing the unit: Write down all the benefits of using an iPad in the classroom. After compiling your list, visit http://www.inkids.com.au/2013/03/17-benefits-of-ipads-in-classrooms/.
Compare your list to the list on the website. How do they differ? Are any of them the same?
After completing the unit: Create a list of potential ways to use the pre-loaded software on the iPad, during a writing project with a student that incorporates video along with writing a story.
Unit 2
* Headphones are a necessity when using iPads in a classroom. There are volume buttons but the majority of the apps you will be using with the children, they should be using headphones to listen to the app.
Now that you are aware of the benefits, let's look at the different possible uses for the iPad.
There are so many different ways that iPads can be used in the classroom, I am going to focus on the ways that I feel are most logical and practical in the first grade classroom. (Use of Apps can be found in unit 3)
1. Reading tool-There are many different ways to use an iPad as a book. Books can be downloaded from the app store. I suggest if you are currently using Reading A-Z in your classroom, use RAZ-Kids along with it. RAZ kids has leveled books just like Reading A-Z. The teacher is able to add up to 36 students in a classroom on RAZ-Kids.com While there is not an app at this time, the website can be used on the iPad. The website allows the student to select a book to either listen to or read. There are books on many different topics that will interest the student. After the student is finished reading, there are quizzes to accompany the story. The quiz will identify the skill that the student needs to focus on. The website maintains the data on the student, therefore, the teacher and the parents can track the students data.
2. Writing tool - This is designed to be used for a student who has difficulty remembering what he/she says after formulating an idea when writing. The student will use the preloaded Voice Memos on the iPad. He/she will record the sentence onto the device and be able to listen to it back through headphones. This will help the student be independent during the writing process.
3. Verbal Writing tool- Is there a student in your classroom who is physically unable to write but can verbalize his/her idea? Then, the speech to text feature will be helpful for your student. The app that one of my students uses is Dragon Dictation (free). This app will listen to the students and type out what the student is saying.
4. Presenting videos -Whether the videos shown are the various parts of speech videos, the videos on letter sounds or parts of writing, the ability for the student to have the video right in front of them will be very helpful. The use of headphones and the student can watch the video at any time necessary. The students can also create videos by using the iPads. The students can record themselves doing a dance that goes along with a song that helps them remember a rule of speech or a format for writing. Incorporating movement is a helpful way to engage the students and reach the kinetic learners in the class.
5. Correlating with the reading series- The reading series "Reading Street" has an interactive website that I have found extremely helpful. I imagine that with the way technology is going, other publishers have similar capabilities on their websites. The website for the "Reading Street" series is www.pearsonsuccess.net. This site has many videos, games and even has the weekly and benchmark assessments. The students I have been working with this year enjoy doing the assessments on the iPads. Each student is given an log in for the assessments. Certain sections of the test will be read to the students. This allows the students to go at their own pace during the assessment rather than waiting for the teacher to read it. The student has the capability to listen to the question and selections numerous times. The website will correct the test and identify skills of weakness for the student. This is a helpful tool for the teacher.
6. Reference tool- You may think the students are too young to be doing research, but these students are capable of doing such work. Safari can be used to explore the internet for information for these students. The websites should be given to the students and monitored carefully during use but these students can do a webquest just like the older students.
Go back to previous page Unit 1- Creating an apple ID for the whole school
Go to unit 3 Unit 3- Apps that can be used in the class