iPads are Making a Difference!

iPads, iPads, iPads

What Great Things They Are!!!!

For my college class I did a research project.  This is what I have found out....

  I have learned that iPad integration does have a positive impact on K-5 classroom instruction. There have been several studies done to show that iPads improve instruction in classrooms. Two of the studies conducted focused on math.  Companies completed both of those studies.  Game Desk, one of the companies, conducted a study on a group of fifth grade students in California.  The students  participated in the study by playing Math Motion, a fraction game, for 5 days, 20 minutes per day.  At the end of the study the students took a test and showed a 15% gains. (Wainwright, 2013) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt did the second study. This study was conducted over a one-year period.  Student test scores increased in math by 20%.  These students used iPads instead of textbooks. (Wainwright, 2013)

In a third study done for KIPP Academy in Houston, TX showed that students in a non-traditional classroom, a flipped classroom, which used iPads daily scored 49% higher with a passing rate than students in a traditional classroom without iPads. (Wainwright, 2013) This shows that technology is making a strong positive impact at that school.

The fourth study was conducted in Kent, New England at Longfield Academy by Naace. The students at this school were highly motivated.  They used their iPads mainly in the areas of English, Math, and Science.  They use their iPads for online research, mind mapping, and creating presentations, which impacted the quality of their work.  Not to mention how they as students worked together collaboratively.  The study showed that there was a significant and very positive impact on learning and teaching.   Which reflected in the students’ achievement and attainment. (Walsh, 2013)  All of the studies showed that iPads have a positive impact on instruction and it would be very beneficial to incorporate iPads. 

iPads are a great motivator both for students and teachers.  Teachers need to see that iPads are versatile, powerful tools that are changing the face of education. Teachers need to understand that iPads are a diverse method to delivering instruction and engaging all students.  They also need to keep in mind that children are eager to embrace new technology.  They want to get their hands on iPads and interact with them. They want to explore.  They want to learn and problem solve. Not to mention that students are able to troubleshoot and resolve technology issues. Not to mention that students are able to troubleshoot and resolve technology issues quicker than most adults. (Lovegrove, 2013)

References:

Wainwright, Ashley. "8 Studies Show iPads in the Classroom Improve Education." Blog. IT Solutions Blog. SecurEdge Networks. Secure Edge Networks, 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 6 Apr. 2013. <http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/86775/8-Studies-Show-iPads-in-the-Classroom-Improve-Education>.

Lovegrove, Ben. "17 Benefits of using iPads in the Classroom." INKids. INKids Pty. Ltd., 27 Mar. 2013. Web. 4 Apr. 2013. <http://www.inkids.com.au/2013/03/17-benefits-of-ipads-in-classrooms/#more-802>.

Walsh, Kelly. The 2013 Free Education Technology Resources eBook. 2nd ed. EmergingEdTech.com, 2013. EmergingEdTech.com. Web. 4 Apr. 2013. <http://www.emergingedtech.com/ebooks/>.

5 Ways Google Glass Can Be Used in Education

Click on this link to take you to the article. 

by MELLISA BURKE 

That was published on APRIL 3, 2013

I know that this is eventually going to happen but it is going to take some getting used to.  Kids will have an easier time adjusting to this than I will.  I will personally have to make some adjustments but I think they are really cool and have a lot of cool features that they will be offering.

Watch this video to see some of the cool things... It makes me want a pair...

But at the same time they scare me.  I can only image the number of accidents that they could potential be caused by drivers wearing these glasses while driving or  people walking down the road and not paying attention.  

I know that being at a school with a 3D Smart Board it is hard enough teaching the children to be careful with a pair of $40 glasses let alone a pair of glasses that more than likely will be in the hundreds even when their price comes done for more consumers to be able to afford them.

It will be interesting to see what the future will hold. :O)

Educational Technology Guy: Apps to Support Bloom's Taxonomy - Android, Google, iPad and Web 2.0

Educational Technology Guy: Apps to Support Bloom's Taxonomy - Android, Google, iPad and Web 2.0

These are great apps to use with Bloom's Taxonomy when using your iPad or Android device.

I am currently looking into research about whether or not iPads are a good technology device to use in K-5 classroom for differentiated instruction.

I will let you know what I find out.

Stevens' Court: Digital Videos

Stevens' Court: Digital Videos: Take a look at this video that gives tips on why and how to incorporate technology in the classroom.

This is a video on of my classmates posted and I wanted to share.

Highly Effective Tech Teachers

At school we are studying Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  I went on Pinterest tonight to look for things to use at school and came across this for teachers using Technology and I wanted to share this with you.

I hope all enjoy this as much as I did.

http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2012/12/7-habits-highly-effective-ed-tech-leaders-infographic

Julie

7 habits of highly effective teachers Always Prepped Blog

7 habits of highly effective teachers Always Prepped Blog

Digital Storytelling: An Introduction

Here is a link to some digital story telling apps that are available for iPads.

I have used a few of these with my students.  They love the Talking Tom apps.

It is a lot of fun to use.  I even use it in my classroom with my students to get their attention.

Here is a brief list of digital story online web tools you can use:

1.Storybird

2. Kerpoof

3. goanimate

4. animoto

5. zooburst

6. Voki

7. Babberize

8. Little Bird Tales

Check them out with your students.  You all will enjoy using them in your classroom or at home with your own child.

The Future of Classroom Education

I loved this video because it was created by high school students showing us what the future classroom in education was and is to be like from their perspective.  Like I said, I loved seeing it from their perspective and the way they chose to share the information with us.

It was very enlightening when they showed us how hard it was to find the information in books for "When did the Battle of Gettysburg take place?"  To think, when I was going through school this was the only way that I was able to find the information that I needed. I had to look in the card catalog, encyclopedias, and other resources.

The internet has really made researching for information SO MUCH easier.  I wish when I was going through college the first time that there was as much information on the Internet as there is now.  I know that I am a Generation X child but I love technology.  I love getting my hands on it.

I can tell that I grew up in a home that had lots of technology in.  I am a parent that does not mind my children having the latest greatest technology in my home but my husband is the totally opposite.  He would rather have as little technology as possible when it comes to toys and video games.  I can see his point of view.  Children today do spend a lot of time using technology devices but the future is technology based and only becoming so more and more everyday.  I can not imagine what the world is going to be like in another 10-15 years.  If we keep advancing like we have technology wise the possibilities are limitless.

Wideo is all news to me

Wideo is all news to me. 

I have a new web 2.0 tool that I want to share with you today.  It is called Wideo.  It is really cool.  I can create animated videos online similar to goanimate.  I can create, edit, and publish digit stories or various types of videos with avatars in them to share with anyone in the world that is interested. 

Wideo can be used in the class with your students to creative short stories, animated descriptions of activities, events,  or simply a project that they are working on.  They can use it to create tutorials to teach their peers in class lessons on how to do something- "How To" videos.  The possibilities are up to yours and your students imaginations.

But it is definitely a new way for them to create digital stories online to share with each other.

Below is a short video that I created using Wideo.  


Here is a digital story that I created on goanimate.  They are both great Web 2.0 tools to use with your students in class for digital storytelling.  It all depends on what they like, how detailed they want to be in the movement of their characters and so much more.


jcarson1972's Animation by jcarson1972 on GoAnimate

Video Maker - Powered by GoAnimate.

Other digital storytelling sites to check out:
storybird.com
domo.goanimate.com
kerpoof.com--- this is one of my favorites but we can no longer use it in my county :O(
animoto.com
Bubblr!

There are numerous sites out there even ones that are like comic books or cartoon strips.
These are just a few ways to make writing fun for kids and even adults, too!