Unit 3: Choosing Appropriate Apps
Unit Overview
Okay, so now you are convinced that iPads are beneficial to your instruction, but only when implemented correctly. Now the question is how to successfully integrate iPads into your classroom. This unit will go through how to choose apps that are appropriate for your students and their learning needs.
Learning Objective: Given an iPad, learners will be able to determine appropriate apps depending on their students’ needs.
Choosing the Apps
Read the following article:
https://images.apple.com/education/docs/L523172A_EDU_App_Guide_062013.pdf
When reading, focus on the questions you should ask yourself when determining the engagement level, developmental appropriateness, instructional design, motivation, and accessibility of each app. You can use these questions to help assess and choose apps that will work best for you and your students.
Read the following article:
https://laulima.hawaii.edu/access/content/user/kavitar/Articles/Readings/Powell-iPadApps.pdf
Blooms Taxonomy and Apps
Remembering
Read the following blog on apps for remembering. When reading, focus on the information listed under the Criteria section, specifically the questions to ask yourself when determining an app for remembering. Additionally, the blog shares reviews on a few remembering apps.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-diane-darrow
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Understanding
Read the following blog on apps for understanding. When reading, focus on the information listed under the Criteria section, specifically the questions to ask yourself when determining an app for understanding. Additionally, the blog shares reviews on a few understanding apps.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-understanding-diane-darrow
Applying
Read the following blog on apps for applying. When reading, focus on the information listed under the Criteria section, specifically the questions to ask yourself when determining an app for applying. Additionally, the blog shares reviews on a few application apps.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-applying-diane-darrow
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Analyzing
Read the following blog on apps for analyzing. When reading, focus on the information listed under the Criteria section, specifically the questions to ask yourself when determining an app for analyzing. Additionally, the blog shares reviews on a few analyzing apps.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-analyzing-diane-darrow
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Evaluating
Read the following blog on apps for evaluating. When reading, focus on the information listed under the Criteria section, specifically the questions to ask yourself when determining an app for evaluating. Additionally, the blog shares reviews on a few evaluating apps.
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Creating
Read the following blog on apps for creating. When reading, focus on the information listed under the Criteria section, specifically the questions to ask yourself when determining an app for creating. Additionally, the blog shares reviews on a few creating apps.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-creating-diane-darrow
Evaluating Apps
The following pdf link contains a rubric to help you evaluate apps for learning.
The following pdf link contains an educational app evaluation checklist to help you evaluate apps for your classroom (the more checks an app receives, the better is is for education).
Reflection
Now that you have learned all about choosing and evaluating apps that are appropriate for your students learning needs, it is time to give it a try. Go on your iPad and choose six apps (one for each stage of Bloom’s Taxonomy). Evaluate your chosen apps using the resources given above (the rubric and check sheet). When you are finished, write a short reflection about the apps you chose and how they will succeed at meeting the needs of your students. Be sure to include the “grade” and number of check marks each app received. Post your reflection in the Discussion area for this unit.
Also, do not forget to add questions, comments, ideas, thoughts, and any interesting facts you may have to the course corkboard!
https://pinitto.me/58fa1750b537bb5455109d9d#
Additional Resources
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/07/29/teacher-recommended-50-favorite-teaching-apps/
http://blog.ed.ted.com/2015/09/19/25-awesome-apps-for-teachers-recommended-by-teachers/
http://teachwithyouripad.wikispaces.com/Blooms+Taxonomy+with+Apps
What's Next?
Now that you know how to choose appropriate apps, it is time to learn how to use that information to integrate them into the classroom. In the next unit, you will learn how to create lessons and activities that successfully integrate iPads into your elementary classroom.