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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
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!
Hi Ms. She!
ReplyDeleteIt's Shanda again, another student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I am happy for you and your students, iPads are a great learning tool, hopefully the experiment went well and you all will be able to keep the iPad’s in your classroom! They are really great tools for education. Also because they are "electronics" students will LOVE to be able to spend time at your iPad station. Even though they are doing something educational, in my opinion they are taking more of the knowledge in because of the simple fact that they see iPads as a gaming device. Congratulations again!
Thanks again for sharing!
Hello Miss She, i'm back!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Chastity Westry and I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. Your class being chosen to experience iPads has to be exciting! It is mind blowing that children as young as three years old can operate this tool.I have little cousins that are one and two years old that can operate my iPad, it is AMAZING! Using the different apps for math and reading can be very exciting for the students and engaging. The iPads are also a good tool to use to keep the students wanting to learn more an do well by their work. Thank you for sharing and Congratulations:)
Hello Ms. She,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading all of your posts. They are so full of life and excitement from your classroom. I know you didn't need to spend much time on teaching your students how to use the iPad. My niece is three and can fly through it! I'm excited for you that you get to experiment with these iPads. Although it may take some getting use to, iPads are a great tool for the classroom. It also teaches that learning doesn't stop at the student. The teachers learn too!
Haley Smith
A student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama
My blog: smithhaleyedm310.blogspot.com
Mrs. She,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting to hear a teacher encouraging the use of ipads in the classroom instead of shying away from them because of the potential they create for distraction. I never knew there were so many learning based apps out there for younger children. This approach seems like it would definitely be beneficial, because it would be a 'fun' way for children to learn things, and seems like it would keep their attention better than doing worksheets. This would also motivate children to go home and continue to practice if they had an ipad or another brand of tablet at home. From your posts, It seems like your children are very well behaved and have so much respect for you.
Allie Padgett
University of South Alabama, EDM 310
Mrs. She,
ReplyDeleteIt's Caroline again. I am in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I think it's a great idea for your students to have iPads. There are so many great apps, like you discussed, to encourage students to read and explore the education side of an iPad, not just the games. It's amazing to think of how far technology has came since the time I was in school and even you. It is mind blowing that children as young as three years old can operate an iPad on their own. I think your students using the apps for math and reading are an encouraging way for them to get engaged in the subject. Reading was never my favorite subject, but maybe if I had an iPad it wouldn't have been so bad. I think you and your students should use the iPads as much as you should while y'all have this trial run with them. They are a great way to get the students involved in whatever subject y'all may be discussing. Please feel free to visit my blog page:http://parkercarolineedm310.blogspot.com/ Any suggestions/critique would be helpful!!
Mrs. She,
ReplyDeleteI am student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. We are assigned a teacher to comment on a blog post, and I was assigned to you. I commented on your most recent post about being "snapped". I am required to comment on one more of your posts, so I chose this one too.
I think that is awesome that you have iPads in your classroom. I agree with your initial reaction. I think I would have reacted the same way. What an exciting time for your class to experience with such a meaningful piece of technology! I agree with the use of iPad apps for learning purposes as well. I believe that it really engages the student, and it helps them to learn on their own while working on an iPad. I think using it as a tool of discipline is also a great idea.
Overall, It looks like the use of iPads in your classroom is working well! I enjoyed reading your post, and good luck with all of your future endeavors.
Mrs. She,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience with us. I love how you saw immediate results with your students. I agree that IPads have the ability to be tremendously beneficial. It is great that your students see the IPad activities as a reward. It is always great to have students engaged in furthering their education and skills.
Hi Mrs. She, it's Kyle from EDM310 again. I think it's awesome that you have iPads in your classroom. I have two young children and they learn SO MUCH on our iPad at home. We have lots of educational apps and it is fun for them. I like that some of your problem children now want to learn AS A REWARD. It's an amazing technological world we are existing in today. I'm happy you and your students get to take advantage of it. I hope that my future classrooms will have the same opportunities.
ReplyDeleteHey Ms. She, It is Tiffany Le from EDM 310.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this blog post because technology integration in classrooms has a very special place in my heart. Growing up in school, technology was never a big thing. Now reading your blog post and other literature about integrating technology at a young age, makes me happy. As a junior in college, I still struggle when using I Pads and computers. I feel like it would be a different story if I was introduced to them as early as your class was. This really is a great thing, and I hope there is more to come. I completely agree when you state that this is just a beginning of a very long journey into I Pads.
Hey Ms. She, It is Tiffany Le from EDM 310.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this blog post because technology integration in classrooms has a very special place in my heart. Growing up in school, technology was never a big thing. Now reading your blog post and other literature about integrating technology at a young age, makes me happy. As a junior in college, I still struggle when using I Pads and computers. I feel like it would be a different story if I was introduced to them as early as your class was. This really is a great thing, and I hope there is more to come. I completely agree when you state that this is just a beginning of a very long journey into I Pads.