Effective iPad Use in the Classroom - MTI 565

Final Reflection for iPads in the Classroom

MTI 565

Directions: Write a reflective paper on using iPads in the classroom, its potential uses in your classroom, concerns for implementation, and future intentions. Be sure to include specific details on what apps you plan to use and how. Please any experiences you have had so far with your iPad(s) in the classroom. 

         I have been an upper elementary/middle school teacher for 20 years and for the last two years I have been the Digital Learning Specialist for my district, grades Pre-K through 6.   I got my new job because I integrated different technologies into my lessons and my administration thought I would be a good fit.  I am a fast and hungry learner when it comes to improving my students’ academic experience.  When I used different technological programs they were so excited and came to life.  Going into this job, I knew the importance of technology integration.

Technical support for iPads

        Last year we switched from Apple Configurator to the Casper Cloud Based Management System.  Now, the apps can be added from a computer at any time.  Also, the iPads don’t have to be in the carts when apps are pushed out.  We can simply choose an app and add it to the iPads, whether it’s to iPad or the entire cart.  We can also set the iPads up to update automatically.  This is amazing!
       A lot of times, we have internet connection issues.  Our IT director worked very hard to solve this issue.  He added WAPs (Wireless Access Points) in increase connectivity.
We have put into our budget money to purchase new apps.  This is extremely important because a lot of the free apps are limited.

Management of Apps

       I am in the process of developing a plan for purchasing new apps.  Teachers are always asking about ordering new apps, but there hasn’t been a real plan for this.  Now, teachers have will have several ways to get the apps they want. They can do the research and email me their request.  They need to state the uses for their students and how it will benefit their learning.
Teachers can also ask me for apps.  They can tell me that they are looking for a good app for math review or behavior management, and I can do some research on it.
 I have done a lot of research during this course and have found some great apps that will work from my teachers and students.  I am sending my teachers a survey with a list of the current apps that we have, as well as some new ones that I have found during this course.  They will state whether they use the old apps or not and we will take off the ones that we aren’t using.
One problem we have with our iPads is space.  Our iPads only have 16gb which means that we can’t have too many apps on our iPads.  When teachers use the apps for projects, they take pictures and videos which also take up a lot of space.  Teachers and students are finding that they can’t email or send out their projects because all of the space is used up.
         I will need to work with teachers and students and show them how to send their final projects off of the iPads.  We are a Google Apps for Education school so we can send our projects to Google Drive to save and then delete it from the iPad.  This will save space on the iPads.

Training for iPad apps

       I will work with teachers during professional development times to teach them how to use some of the apps.  Teachers and students need time to explore the apps and see what they can do.  Working together, teachers can share how the app will benefit their students.
       I will work with the students in their classroom to teach them how to use the app.  I will create a project based on the curriculum with them using an app and have the teacher there to learn it as well. This way, the teacher can use the app for future projects.
       I will continually support the teachers and students.  I have created a group of 6th grade students called “Student Help Desk” to help their teachers and peers with technology integration in the classroom.  I will first train these students on the app and then they will be a valuable asset to their teacher and classmates.

Ipad Apps in the Classroom

As with anything that you are learning, investigating and finding apps can be overwhelming.  I have learned about many apps during the class and have found a lot that I know my students and teachers will benefit from.  I think I’m going to start with five “Core Apps” to really use in our classes.  Of course, teachers and students will use other apps, but my focus will be on the training and implementation of the Core Apps. This way it won’t be too overwhelming. Click on the live links for additional information.  Some of them link to the website they explains how to use them.  The source of each link will be found here.

Core Apps

Explain Everything

 * Explain Everything™ Interactive Whiteboard ($3.99)
By Explain Everything sp. z o.o.

Click Here for description of app and examples of projects.

Click HERE for training videos and materials.

“Explain Everything is an app that allows teachers and students to create presentations, or record screencasts to demonstrate a concept or illustrate a tutorial.  Combining inking, images, text, and voice, Explain Everything offers a one-stop shop for student created work.”  Source

iMovie 

* iMovie by Apple ($4.99) - Comes free with all iPads purchased after September 2013

Click HERE for description of app and examples of projects.

Click HERE to see how iMovie can be used to promote Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Click HERE for a complete tutorial video for iMovie.  (8 minutes)

“With a streamlined design and intuitive Multi-Touch gestures, iMovie lets you enjoy your videos and tell stories like never before. Browse your video library, share favorite moments, create beautiful movies, and watch them on all your devices in iMovie Theater.”  Source

Green Screen

* Green Screen by Do Ink ($2.99)
By DK Pictures, Inc.
“The #1 Green Screen app for the iPad in Education, now available for the iPhone too! Green Screen by Do Ink makes it easy to create incredible green screen videos and photos. Classroom-tested by kids and teachers, this app emphasizes ease-of-use and simplicity while still enabling fantastic results. With Green Screen by Do Ink, you can tell a story, explain an idea, and express yourself in truly creative and unique ways.  You know what a "green screen" effect is, right? It's used in the movies to make it look like the actors have landed on an alien planet, and it's used on TV to make it look like your local news announcer is standing in front of a weather map. The green screen effect works by combining images from multiple sources into a single video. These images can come from photos or videos in your camera roll, or from the live video camera.”  Source

Book Creator

* Book Creator for iPad - “create ebooks and pdfs, publish to iBooks ($4.99) By Red Jumper Limited
Book Creator is the simple way to make your own beautiful ebooks, right on your iPad.”  Source
Book Creator tutorial videos.
Make comic books with Book Creator.

Chatterpix

Chatterpix  Kids by Duck, Duck, Moose
“Grab your camera! Let’s ChatterPix! Chatterpix Kids can make anything talk -- pets, friends, doodles, and more. Simply take any photo, draw a line to make a mouth, and record your voice. Then share your Pix with friends and family as silly greetings, playful messages, creative cards, or even fancy book reports.” Source


I have learned a lot during this course.  I look forward to working with teachers and students to implement the iPads into the classroom.  I have already started getting the technical issues resolved and will start the school year off by training the teachers.  I will support the teachers and students throughout the year to create projects that connect to the curriculum.  It’s going to be a great year!