10 Apps for the Classroom iPad Cart

Recently, our school purchased iPad Carts for use in our schools.  The idea was to provide iPads for use in the classroom, but purchasing them on a large scale was too much.  So, by providing a cart for each building, the cart could be checked out by teachers to use as a mobile computing classroom.  iPads provide the ability to access apps for practice, web 2.0 resources, and sites for classroom research.

Being an iPad user, as I investigated different apps I already had an idea of what I would want on the iPads.  But as these were going to be used by different teachers on a larger scale, the thought process was  a little different.

Here are a few apps that I found to be crucial the the classroom iPad Cart:

• Educreations - Like having an interactive whiteboard (IWB) on your iPad, this app, when used with a HDMI cable or Apple TV, allows you to use tools familiar to IWB users.  Features include a pen tool, ability to erase, add pictures, text, and most of all, the ability to record.  By being able to record what you present, you can save it for later, and even share your presentation with others. 

• Puffin Free  - iPads aren't Flash friendly, so if you're going to show certain web content that is built on Flash, it can be difficult when using the Safari browser.  This app (available for free with ads, and for a price to remove ads) gives users the ability to view and interact with Flash content.

• Free Graphing Calculator - Math teachers will appreciate the ability to use the iPad as a graphing calculator.  There are several free calculators available, this is just one of them. 

• iTunesU - The iPad will prompt new users to download this app and it is well worth it.  With the ability to download free course content from K-12 institutions, as well as colleges and Universities, this app gives teachers the ability to connect students with content covering thousands of subject areas.  Professional Development courses are available through iTunesU too!

• iBooks - This app may not seem like a teaching tool to some, but many teachers have found that the ability to bookmark, highlight, and add notes to the margins makes the use of this app very handy.  For English classes, teachers can download epub files for classic novels from sites such as http://www.gutenberg.org/.  eTextbooks can be purchased from many educational textbook publishers, through the iBooks store. 

• Bubble Sheet - Join Mastery Connect for free and use this app to deliver assessments using bubble sheet style questions. 

• Socrative - Download Socrative Teacher and Socrative Student and use the iPad as a Student Response System.  Create your own assessment questions and deploy them over classroom WiFi. 

• PenUltimate - This note taking tool allows students to take notes in their own "fingerwriting".  Keep notebooks by subject area - all for free.

• Dropbox - download this cloud storage app and create a classroom account that will allow students to upload/store assignments in the cloud. 

• iWork - This bundle of apps from Apple may cost a little ($9.99 for each app; less on the Volume Purchase Program if you buy more than 10), but its worth it.  Keynote is a presentation tool similar to PowerPoint that allows you to create and view slideshows.  Pages is a word processing app that allows you to create documents.  Numbers is a spreadsheet app. 

Obviously this is not an all encompassing list of everything you would need, but it is a great place to start.  The capabilities of tablets in the classroom are so great that you will discover more as you use them.  The camera and built-in microphone make iPads great for creating audio and video projects as well.  As you become more advanced in using them, investigate and explore the web for more options.  And enjoy! 

Common core, digital natives, and fear

In this age of common core, we are realizing the importance of bridging the gap between digital natives and true digital literacy. As we look at our kids, we see a group raised on technology, video games, and basic cable. They know just enough to be dangerous, but how much do they really know? If we need help, they know enough to fix our iPhone. They also know how to record two shows at once on the DVR while watching a third. And they can find the coolest videos on YouTube, Vimeo or Hulu.

These might be things that are difficult to some adults, but not all of us. What we bring to the table is a set of skills that helps to decide between good information and bad. As teachers, we know how to reach the unreachable in terms of learning. But in this age of digital literacy, what I see more and more of are teachers who have difficulty integrating digital tools into their practice. What is interesting is that some teachers lack the one attribute our digital natives have- no fear.

As kids, many of us had a concept of video games that gave you one chance to succeed. If you died or lost your turn, you had to start over. There was little chance to learn and build on successes or failures. Kids raised in the late 90's have been fed by video games that give them unlimited do-overs. As a result, they have grown to have no fear. Because of this, kids are willing to try anything. This is why they are so good at fixing and finding the things adults have trouble with. On the flip side, many teachers are unwilling to introduce new tools because they are afraid to try new things. We need to be less fearful of looking foolish or worried about breaking things.

The thing we need to remember is that students need our guidance. In some cases, they use the tools, but don't understand how to use them properly. They may have seen and used PowerPoint, but don't know how to use it effectively. They may know how to use the internet, but don't know how to discriminate between good and bad information.

What does this have to do with teaching? As teachers on the cusp of common core, we are faced with integrating more technology into learning. We are expected to foster greater digital literacy into our classrooms. But many teachers are afraid to try new things. As a result they are less likely to introduce new tools into the classroom. In doing so, kids pass through the halls of high school never being exposed to tools they will be expected to use in college or work.

But how do you flip the switch from the traditional style of teaching to the digital way? Branch out and explore new ways by developing a Personal Learning Network (PLN). Include teachers you admire, authors you read, and maybe a few new names. Create a Twitter account and follow people involved in #edchat or #edtech. Use Facebook to follow big names in Ed tech. This will help you pick up new ideas and new habits. Don't be afraid to solicit the help of kids in the know when it comes to using new tools. And the next time an email runs across your inbox for a professional development class related to technology, explore it. You never know how easy or hard incorporating new tech into your classroom can be until you try.

The main thing is, don't be afraid of something until you try it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad