The iPad supports the idea of “cloud computing” with student work being saved and shared online rather than via traditional paper and pencil methods. This can be done using email or free apps such as Google Docs, Dropbox, or Evernote. Many apps designed for use on the iPad and other mobile devices are free or very inexpensive. And while apps for purchase start at 99 cents and seldom cost more than $4.99, it can be easy to quickly spend a substantial amount on apps. So get in the habit of downloading and test-driving the free or lite versions offered by many apps before purchasing the full paid version.
Teachers are beginning to incorporate e-books and PDF-formatted documents into their teaching, creating their own textbooks and teaching materials.
Teachers are beginning to incorporate e-books and PDF-formatted documents into their teaching, creating their own textbooks and teaching materials. These can be posted on iBooks, a free app that provides access to resources anywhere, anytime—even without an Internet connection. Students are using apps such as Book Creator to create their own e-books. Other apps such as Story Kit, Strip Designer, and Comic Life provide tools for student-created digital stories. Pages and Keynote are apps used to create rich word processing and presentation documents. For younger students, teachers can use apps like Stack the States and GeoMaster Plus to help with geography skills. Older students can use First Hand History of America, History 3D: Civil War, and World HD Atlas to access primary source documents, photos and maps. Teachers turn to tools such as The Civil War Today to immerse their students in hands-on history content. Middle and high school teachers can encourage quality student writing with apps such as Essay Grader or Thinkbook.
Like any other tool, tablets such as the iPad are only as effective as the planning that goes into their use.
Special education teachers are also finding a multitude of uses for tablets from accessibility issues to language acquisition. Like any other tool, tablets such as the iPad are only as effective as the planning that goes into their use. Simply putting tablets in front of students is not enough. They need to be part of a well-designed lesson plan. For example, you may want high school students to analyze Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and describe the “unfinished work” Lincoln presented to America in his speech. Using the National Archives Today’s Document app, have students access and read a digital version of the address, linking out to the Our Documents website for background information. Students use the copy and paste function to insert portions of the speech into the Evernote app as they finish their summaries. Taking advantage of Evernote’s ability to insert audio clips and photos, their work becomes richer and deeper than with text alone. Once finished, they email you their work for easy online access. Mobile devices are not silver bullets, but used appropriately, they can engage students, increase learning, and allow teachers to customize instruction.
Footnotes
Margo Pierce, "iPads Make Better Readers, Writers," THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education, September 6, 2011, accessed November 3, 2011. "Schools see rising scores with iPads," eClassroom News, accessed November 3, 2011.
