More of the assignments that I give require research (now that we have more technology to do so) and I've been amazed by my students' response. They LOVE choosing their own topic and then conducting independent or partner research. So far, they've been great about sharing the iPads or even pairing up on one to help each other search for information. I often hear them sharing their findings with a neighbor with great enthusiasm.
I've also noticed that my students are figuring out how to create assignments and presentations on the iPads. Today, one of my students created a collage for a project on an iPad that was incredible! Now they all want to use this app to create a collage. Another is completing the same assignment with iMovie. I'm excited to see the progression as they figure out more ways to express their ideas and learning!
This additional technology has changed our learning environment, and I feel all for the better! My kids are creating, authoring, editing, researching, teaching, and they're engaged and excited to use this new technology! It's so exciting!
Here is an article about how having iPads in the classroom has changed education - very good read! Here is an article about a Texas school that went 1-to-1 with iPads and how it transformed learning in the classroom. It mentions the need for teacher training and the importance of using technology to prepare our students for college and career-ready.
I would love to hear about your student's experiences with iPads in your classroom!
ReplyDeleteThey have not yet been integrated in my own classroom. For one, I don't want to set the stage as just a techno toy. The one aspect that I feel that was to some degree neglected was in this area. I know my own class will be integrating them into our classroom wiki project. Higher order thinking skills is my focus with them..and how to make sure this happens..so a bit more research. My own son, says that last year his class "pretty much played games" on the iPads...
Interestingly for me was in our last tech meeting. The discussion on how and where to implement them is still ambiguous in nature...top down, one-to-one...start with a grade.....
The excitement of my students has been fantastic! One very simple use has been having my Guided Reading kids record their re-reads daily! They love watching and listening to themselves reading! I find myself recording everything and using videos as teaching tools! We have also experimented with puppet pals in order to create social stories. I feel I am starting simple, but gradually trying more and more with my students! I have also watched our 4th grade students research topics wonderfully with the ipads. I have been learning with them. :)
ReplyDeleteI have not used them with my class yet either. I think I'm worried about not using them to their best potential. I have ideas about how I want to use them and I'm hoping that it all works out well. I will rely heavily on students helping each other because I am the only adult in the classroom except during math. I'm sure that I will learn a lot from the students as we venture into this technology together. I'm excited to get started.
ReplyDeleteThere is certainly a fear regarding students surfing or playing on the tech that is available - I suppose the allure is stronger when there is more fun to be had? Nevertheless, I dont see much difference between a students doodling or daydreaming and a students mucking around on an ipad other than how it looks from the outside. I think we have to take the risk and work ever harder to come up with activities that apture the largest majority of our students' attention.
ReplyDeleteAt CCC our tech instructor attended the Simple K-12 seminar and earned a grant that allows all faculty members, education students and alumni to receive a $300.00 free membership for an entire year. There's a lot of terrific educational programs that are beyond drill and practice work.
ReplyDeletePersonally I use my ipad in my instruction as well. We video tape mock lessons, we build appropriate folders for different literacy components, I take it with me when I go to visit the various schools so I can share many of the great learning going on in our different school buildings.
I was invited to WES school this week to listen to a former student share about his training and assignments serving as a marine. He was our 4th grade pen pal last year and a former student of mine, so it was a touching assembly for the students, myself and Matthew. I then shared this assignment and the outcome with my literacy class.
I understand that we add technology after much thought and preparation to enhanced the engagement of learning with our students.
The students in my classroom are enjoying using the IPAD's. We started using them during the month of the school year during our TIER II time. Fortunately for me, the students have used the IPAD's a great deal in their music class (thank you Mrs. Flaming), so I have had to do very minimal IPAD 101 training. The students have been ready to use the apps available and complete work using the internet. It is great to see the excitement of the students when they are given the opportunity to practice and build skills using this new piece of technology!
ReplyDeleteMaybe next year my students will have some iPads to share in the classroom but, right now we don't have any. My students do have touch screen computers and they love them. In my classroom we don't use the computers for anything but centers but the great thing about having three computers is that my students are learning technology skills as they play games they love. These skills will follow them through school and, depending on the development of technology in the future, into their profession.
ReplyDeleteHow much did you have to transform your teaching to make the ipads work in your classroom? How much change did you have to make in what you do?
ReplyDeleteBecause we are thinking of requiring ipads for our college students at MC, and if we don't work towards making them relevant in our classes we will just be adding to our students' financial burdens. That's why.
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