getting started: must have apps for the classroom

10 FANTASTIC, MUST HAVE APPS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

Authored by: Karen D. Barley (Diploma of Teaching, Graduate Diploma of Education, Master of Education)

©Karina D. Barley

©Karina D. Barley

http://digitallearningtree.com

©Karina D. Barley

Why?

 "It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education ... If we are to develop our students' sense of curiosity, we must be mindful to carve out time to allow our students to inquire and explore." - Albert Einstein

It is important to ask ourselves why?

©Karina D. Barley

©Karina D. Barley

Why are we using the iPad in schools in the first place?

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Does the iPad and technology complement the 21st Century paradigm?

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What will you need to do as an educator to align yourself to this evolutionary process?

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21st Century Education is NOT just about the technology; it’s about a decision to create a classroom that inspires children to learn how to think; to be inspired to invent and create; and ultimately become self directed, motivated seekers of knowledge.

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The Common Core Standards infer that ‘The Standards’ "are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers". 

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Part of the premise of The Standards is to recognize that media and technology are part of 21st Century learning and that these mediums be integrated across The Standards.  

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“Just as media and technology are integrated in school and life in the 21st century, skills related to media use (both critical analysis and production of media) are integrated throughout The Standards.”

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Here are some points I believe should be included in any school or staff discussion:

The iPad saves money.

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©Karina D. Barley

The iPad saves time as information and computing for learning is always accessible.

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The iPad empowers students to take responsibility for their learning.

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The apps give the iPad their impetus for education and apps are relatively cheap in comparison to software.

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How can the Common Core Standards be reflected using the technology?

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What do you need to consider before you deploy iPads into your school and classroom?

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How will you use the iPad?

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What apps will you use and how will you use them?

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Make sure you know how the apps work.

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Allocate the iPad for educational use only.

What educational activities can you do with the iPad?

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• Create tests, quizzes and worksheets.

• Design and present Keynote/Powerpoint presentations for lessons. (Teachers & Students)

• Create lessons using screen casting type apps that can be used over and over; and shared with other teachers.

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• Conduct diagnostics and assessments • Keep records, attendance and conferencing reports, as well as anecdotal records on individual students

• Edit students’ work; correcting and providing feedback

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• Share information and books both visually via text and using audio options.

• Flip Teaching via screen casting and augmented reality apps.

• Students can demonstrate knowledge - which increases engagement and motivation.

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• Increase student centered learning and risk taking in learning.

• Can literally be a Personal Learning Studio by virtue of it’s size, capabilities and functionality.

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What about the most crucial players – the students?

How does using the iPad in the classroom affect students?

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Each student can be responsible for the care & upkeep of the iPad.

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Good applications can be individually designed to suit each child’s ability level - teachers can essentially build a differentiated curriculum for each student.

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The use of the iPad is a catalyst for learning & a springboard for further enquiry.

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Students are able to use ‘thinking’ skills as part of a ‘thinking’ curriculum.

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Children become more ‘student directed’ as they navigate their way around the specific ‘apps’ independently.

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The iPad multi-sensory aspect enhances the learning experience.

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Students work at their own pace.

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Students are enthusiastic and motivated to learn – they are learning without realizing it.

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Students become risk takers & gain more confidence.

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Most importantly, students experience success.

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Here are TEN FANTASTIC, MUST HAVE APPS FOR THE CLASSROOM.

If you can learn how to use these and teach your students how to use them, then you will have a foundation from which to build your ‘21st Century’ Classroom.

©Karina D. Barley

First are creative & writing apps.

These apps are designed to enthuse and motivate. It makes the presentation of work more interesting and appealing.

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Keynote GrafioStrip

DesignMagical Pad

The next series of apps are designed for screen casting & flip teaching. You can prerecord a lesson; a concept; an idea; or instructions for students and they can refer to these at any time.

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Knowmia Explain Everything

VideoScribe

iMovie

Lastly the augmentative reality phenomena using augmentative reality apps. Augmented reality is about enhancing the real world by using digitized content.

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Aurasma i-nigma Tellagami

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APPS & TOOLS TO CREATE QR CODES

I like the app i-nigma. It works really effectively and you can add the codes to any document. Below is their website which shares how to use the app in a lot more detail:

http://www.i-nigma.com/Downloadi-nigmaReader.html

Also there are many websites where you can create QR codes. Here are a couple of examples:

http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

http://www.qrcode-generator.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRgWRXFXLQs

The Kathy Schrock website has a lot of information on iPads, Androids and mobile technology. She has a really good section on QR codes. Go to the link below:

http://www.schrockguide.net/qr-codes-in-the-classroom.html

This video provides a succinct but impressive overview of how you can use QR codes in the classroom: http://youtu.be/SWNR64G72tU

©Karina D. Barley

In Conclusion

Using this technology students become designers of their own curriculum & teachers become facilitators & mentors. Students also learn to become self assessing through reflection and from this ‘space’ learn how to learn.

The best gift we can gift any student is to give them the ability to know how to learn, to develop thinking skills and be able to reflect upon their own work. Building this sense of independence, grows and evolves children to become the best they can be and reach their potential.

©Karina D. Barley

Guitar Lab AppMusic Box for Kids

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The following pages provide some demonstrations of how work can be created and presented using a variety of applications:

Poster created using Strip Designer, Maps, photos & text.

Poster created using Strip Designer, Maps, photos & text.

This poster was created using the application Strip Designer.

This poster was created using the application Strip Designer.

I have covered the faces of

students for their privacy.

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Poster created using Grafio – which can also be made into a mini video as you can add audio to each section….creating audio-visual worksheets.

Poster created using Grafio – which can also be made into a mini video as you can add audio to each section….creating audio-visual worksheets.

This worksheet was created using the application Simple Minds – another Mindmapping application.

Students can use the same app to fill in the missing words and delete the wrong presidents, leaving the correct one.

This worksheet was created using the application Simple Minds – another Mindmapping application.

Students can use the same app to fill in the missing words and delete the wrong presidents, leaving the correct one.

This story was created using Drawing Pad. Students can draw, add photos, write & add stamps to create stories.

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This cloze activity was created using Comic Life and the app ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’

Photos used with permission by the parents of this student.

 Screenshots are a great tool for your assessment. As the students complete work on the iPad, the teacher can take screen shots of completed work, especially completed quizzes, activities etc. For example:

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Photos used with permission – author’s children.

©Karina D. Barley

©Karina D. Barley

I hope you’ve enjoyed this presentation. If you’re interested in learning more, please go to:

http://digitallearningtree2.com/product/getting-started-must-have-ipad-apps-for-the-classroom-teacher/

Or you can use the QR code to be taken directly to the course on your mobile phone or iPad.

Karina Barley

©Karina D. Barley