Module 1 -assignments 8 and 9 - Bunn - the highs and lows of iPads in the classroom

I have the fortune/misfortune of having iPads in my classroom for 2 years now. They have created some excellent learning opportunities and platforms, but I have also felt the sting of the evil anti-flash sentiment that pervades Apple. The first, most obvious use for me was the ability to provide students with internet access for research and webquests (though the anti-flash has made that trickier), as well as an opportunity for students use specific applets for learning. However, each applet we use has to be installed by our Tech support, so it is imperative that we have a real use for it. That means that the iPads often have a range of applets that are installed and interesting, but have no real connection to our class content. Nevertheless, since the carts are made to be mobile, they must remain to be accessible to other teachers. All of this adds up to distraction city.

I did decide that there were some applets our students needed. Of particular note was a Smart Notebook applet that lets students use and even create Smartboard programs. This allowed us to use Smartboard to create some Technology enhanced items including sorting and drag and drop that the students can now access at their own iPad rather than one student coming to the board and doing it all. This meant that every student could drag and drop, and sort answers similar to the way they will be asked on the interactive portions of the new SOLS. Of course there are some limitations. Some of the technology supported by the Smartboard on specific programs found on line is Flash driven, so those Smartboard lessons can't be used to their fullest extent on these iPads. However, the creation capability is interesting as each student can be asked to create a Smartboard page about a specific topic, and then they can all be added together to make on Smartboard presentation. Our biggest hurdle was that the program was not free, but I was successful in writing a PIE grant for about $500 to install it on 90 iPads in the school so we can use that application. It is now available on iPads in the Sciences and Social Studies. 

Another useful application for the iPads in the classroom is how they allow students to access Powerpoint slides for notetaking or review. This has proven useful in a flipped classroom sort of way for my AP classes, as they often get confused trying to take the notes as I talk. Now they can go on to the site, write the notes down, and then follow along as I present them, annotating or editing where needed. I have also embraced the iPads for AP use by utilizing a question/test taking program that allows them to practice questions related to the high level content they are receiving, and then getting instant feedback on how they are doing. This Quest program is not iPad specific, but it is accessible from anywhere that has internet access, including smart phones, so it has been very useful for related practice and homework.

In all, I am probably not using the iPads to the extent that they are capable of being used, but I hope to have the time in the future to incorporate more specific apps as we go on.