iPads are great tool
for differentiation and can easily be integrated into the classroom.
I've listed my suggestions as you start integrating iPads into your
classroom:
- REWARD....The
iPad IS an extension of the classroom and should be used as
resource/supplemental material NOT as a reward. If we treat it like a
lollipop so will the students. If we use it as a way to engage students
in the learning environment and find resources that enhance our
materials, the kids will treat it as a learning tool.
- LESS IS MORE....The
iPad CAN be used for a 2 or 3 students only. Don't limit yourself. If
you teach a math lesson and you have a couple of students that aren't
getting it, there's probably an app that will help. As you guide the
remaining class into reinforcement activity, let these couple of
students use an app to bridge the learning gap. Likewise, don't hold 2
students back if they are advanced and you need to reteach the material
for the rest of the class. Find an app that will support your curriculum
and offers advance materials for those couple of students. This is a
great tool for differentiation!
- CENTERS.....aren't
just for pre-k and kindergarten. I strongly suggest centers or stations
even for middle school and high school projects. The iPad is an
excellent tool to use in a rotation! Start a project and divide it into
different stations, then break your class into group, set a timer for
each station and start rotating. I think this is a great way to break
the material up and keep the students engaged. The iPad can be used for
reinforcement activities, research, recording, reporting, camera tool
for documentation OR???? ---- let your imagination run wild and fill in
the blank to fit your content needs!
- TEACHER FOR A DAY....The
iPad is a one stop tool to let the students teach and record. Take your
current topic, assign 1 student a role of teaching and 1 student a role
of recording, CHALLENGE them to reteach the material and engage their
peers. The kids will love this project! Best of all, you can reuse the
material to introduce material to students that may have missed the
class!
- UNITE THE IPAD & COMPUTER....use
both of the technology tools to let the students learn by exploring and
integrate writing skills. Offer an exploratory time where some students
use a pre-selected app/apps on the iPad and other students use a
pre-selected website on the computer to 'explore' content that is
pertinent to your curriculum. Once their technology time is up, have the
students go to their desk and write in a journal about what they
experienced. This will let the students work on their writing skills as
they reflect on the the technology experiences.
- SEAMLESS....much
like an interactive whiteboard, the iPad should be a seamless part of
the curriculum. Plan to use it just like you would any other resource
for your lessons. NO dog and pony show required because most kids LOVE
it! It's a show stopper that will almost guarantee their undivided
attention!
- COMMON CORE....many iPad apps are now aligned to common core. Search for specific apps or check out appitic.com for suggestions based on your content!
- NO WIFI NO PROBLEM....it's
a common misconception that wifi is required, it's not! Most apps don't
require wifi in order to be functional. If you find an app that does
require wifi, the odds are in your favor that there is a comparable app
that will function without wifi.
- QUESTIONS....the
only stupid questions are those never asked. If you need help, give me a
call or shoot me an email. I'm happy to help but can't help if you don't ask. Most of the
time, if you are experiencing confusion or a glitch someone else is too!
Ask and I'll try to help!
- GAIN/EARNINGS....you definitely can't EARN interest if you don't use the iPad. Experiment and find out what works for you. Using the iPad for differentiation depends on you. This includes the many different ways you integrate it. Your students will GAIN by utilizing the product. If you come up with an idea that you think others will love, share it! One of my fav suggestions for elementary classes was Talking Tom. I had only used this app for interaction but one teacher took it to the next level. She had Talking Tom 'give' her spelling test and the kids LOVED IT!
