I absolutely love the iPad. I have had if for almost five months, but fell in love with it the very first day I got it. There is so much you can do with an iPad. I feel that I would be a fool to even try and list some of the best things about it because chances are I'll discover something even better by the time this class meets on Wednesday. It wasn't until we had an in-class discussion about iPads that I really started thinking about their potential within the classroom.
During our week off, I decided to search for learning centered applications. The first thing I thought of was the free application entitled iBooks. iBooks is basically a digital library. With this app you can purchase books and then the book will remain on your digital bookshelf for you to go back and read later. I was amazed to find so many free classic books. I thought about how I could use this app within my classroom, and I thought it would be a great way to purchase read aloud books. I wouldn't have to have a paper copy of the book. While some people may not like the move from paper books to digital, I really don't mind it. The amount of educational applications available is unbelievable. Here is a small list of what I found:
Fill in the missing letters
Tangrams
Alphabet recognition
Math flashcards
Spelling activities
Sentence builders
Story builders
Word matching
Biographies
US States location
BrainPOP movies
Science glossary
Money counting
Dictionaries
Time
Fractions
Grammar
Kid songs
Marine life
Star map
Letter forms
Animated books
Memory matching
Story books
Sign language
The list could go on. They even have apps for teachers! There are grade book apps, attendance apps, special education apps, seating chart apps, etc. I think that everyone should take some time and search the available applications. You will be amazed by what they have. Not all of the apps that they have are the greatest quality, but there are some really good apps out there.
I do think that although this technology is very new teachers will benefit from it tremendously. The number of applications available to teachers is only going to increase and hopefully become even more useful within the classroom. With this new technology available, I do have to add that we must not think of the technology first. Instead plan your lesson and then think about what technology or applications could compliment your lesson.
After playing around on the iPad in class, I was easily convinced about its potential uses in the langugae classroom, and I did not even know about the list of uses that you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that didgital books are something that teachers should consider. Although I really enjoy a hard copy of a book, it feels as if one holds a treasure, or someone else's deepest and most precious thoughts in your hands (and yes, this includes academic books), I think we should recognize that didgital books are becoming part of our life, as much as iPods and cellphones have, and students needs to be exposed to this as well.
Thanks for sharing your expertise in this area! I love my iPad too, but have not messed around with it enough. Keep sharing with me the cool apps that you do find. It is amazing what is out there!
ReplyDeleteI want an i pad so bad. That is my next thing to buy. I think the apps are so cool. I'm glad you like yours. I am so ready to go buy one.
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