Look to the link on the side for more info on Voicethread.
Ideas for Voicethread -Make an ispy with students. Book discussions.. Talk about foods you like or dislike .If I were in charge of the world. social studies--our community-natural resources etc. the ideas are endless.
ImageChef s a free app and does amazing things to photos. One of the sections is Visual Poetry which creates simple and easy wordles amongst other cool photo ideas such as Wanted Posters etc.
A fast easy way to create a slideshow/ Creative Commons images are all there and simple for students to use/
Doodle Buddy- you can create drawings with tons of backgrounds and stamps.
This is an app we are trying with a couple of students with special needs. It looks awesome and I can see other students benefiting from it as well. Also please note the reference to the great site at the bottom of this post.
Choiceboard Creator App is a simple, free iPad app that provides the ability to present questions and answer choices with visually and audio capabilities. There is a simple method of designating which is the correct answer with an audio response provided when the correct answer is chosen by the user (clapping sound). Here are some of the features of the app as described by the developers:
Large buttons, and black/white contrast to facilitate visual attention
Box sizes are now adjustable for those who just need to see a little more clearly
Clean board design to minimize visual distraction
Space between choice buttons to avoid inadvertent hits
Customizable to 1,2,3,4 or 6 choices
Users can download their own pictures
Users can create blank boxes as distractors to suit users of all levels
Now users can preset multiple “correct answer” boxes, and download different sound files to each box – a feature that allows users to choose their favorite music with just a tap
Other than image files, users can now type text into the choice box – use this feature to teach sight words, letter, number recognition
Versatile application that can be used to create curriculum content to promote cognitive and literacy skills
Ease of use. Intuitive interface allows user to set up activities in minutes
Allows users to create multiple pages for each “game” or activity
Here it is!! Mathletics can be used on the iPad. It doesn't have as many features as it does on the computer but it is excellent. Students can log in and away they go. There is a log in for Teachers so they can manage their student's accounts but it is still in the development phase. I'm sure it will be up and going before long. The students can go to whatever the teacher has assigned for them as well as live Mathletics.
Mathletics is a site that you have to pay for which our school does and teachers and students love it!! The iPad app is an additional wonderful new feature.
Voicethread is a great tool to collaborate and share with other students. You can use videos' photos and diagrams. The students can leave comments by- text - use their voice to record or and even doodle on the screen as well to help discuss your topic. I have used voicethread on the computer before and loved it but found it to be a lot of work to set up. It's so easy to use on the iPad with very little setting up involved.
I used this app to discuss our favorite part of Charlotte's Web.We also predicted what we thought would happen in one of the chapters. Both turned out so well. Next we are going to share our favorite character in the story with another classroom in BC who's reading the same story to their classroom {We are both participating in the Global Read Aloud project}.
The first 5 voicethreads are free and then it's $2.99 for 5 more.
I love this app and strongly recommend using it. I will attach some links to this post so you can explore what others have done. To me this is what all the LwICT is about and this is where real learning happens.
This month our virtue is Thanksgiving so I demonstrated how to use the app and sent them off to show me something they were thankful for and to tell about it. Here's an example--one of the students went to the word wall and took a photo of the words that said-mom-dad-sister-brother etc. and then said he was thankful for his relatives and for all the fun things they do together. Another printed mom and dad on the board and took a picture etc. Another took a photo of their shoes and said they were thankful for clothes. When we did the feedback part at the end of the day we talked about what we liked and again the children thought it would be nice if there was more detail in the talking part. We'll see how that goes this week.
Pros
lots of enthusiasm from the children
lots of learning--planning-gathering-producing and communicating
exciting to see what they create and exciting to see success in so many
easy for children to use
I love watching others help with ideas
I was impressed with how independent they were
Hurdles
some are less creative than others and like writing some are a little more reluctant--but I know it'll come even if it's a little slower at getting there for some than others
I will explore how to share with others such as on our wiki but for me it was fine just to share with each other. Sometimes that's all that needs to be done. If I can share, I will on this post later.
This was probably our favorite app that we tried out in our pod of 4 ipads for the month of September.
Pros
I loved that they could each have their own account and be able to track how they are doing
It has lots of activities and lots of incentives to keep them excited
They could work on independently without having to come to me for help while I am focusing on a reading group.
Hurdles
I wasn't fond of the math section. They have lots of double digit adding and it was too advanced for some. There is no way they would go back to Teach Me Grade 1 either. The math section made it discouraging for the children who stuggle with math. The helpers in the room that were good at math made a difference but the app requires the student to do a fair bit of the math activities.
I wish you could select the activity as it progresses but it randomly selects what you have to go through to get to the next level--or collect coins. So there is no way to get past the math activities.
Feedback from the students This is something new that I thought I would try. I am going to reserve this section for the students to give their feedback on how they felt about the apps we're trying out. We do this a lot for writing and reading activities in our room and I find it is so effective. Tues. Oct. 9 What we like about Teach Me Grade 2.
What would make this app even better. Do you want to keep this as a choice for our pod?
Pods of iPads in the classroom What a great opportunity to have a chance to try out the ipads as a pod. I am so glad that we are a division that takes technology seriously. It's so incredible how one enhances the other. Like anything new, it does take planning and preparing when you start something new. I wanted to use the pod as a center while I was doing reading groups and so I wanted to have something for the children to do that didn't involve my assistance. I also wanted to do something that had a purpose not a time filler and not games that didn't have an educational purpose. I will post each app we tried separately so it's easier to read. I had 4 ipads--one of my own and 3 to borrow for first term. Pros
great enthusiasm from children to get their turn
the learning is so incredible
The ipads are way WAY easier for the children to use than a computer at this age. They are more straight forward and we eliminate the signing in--the manoeuvring around the sites---and all the errors that seem to occur with the pc's.
There are so many great apps out there--and they never get bored-- and the developers are coming out with even better apps all the time.
Hurdles
making sure there was enough time for each student to have equal time. I tried to get 2 groups with the ipad at center time but discovered that if I just allowed one group to go through it was less rushed.
finding an independent app they could do. I overcame this hurdle by spending time showing the app on the whiteboard thru the lcd projector and then following thru with feedback at the end of the morning. I also had students that had used the app already to be the teachers for those who needed extra help. The more experience they have been getting with the ipad the better they are getting of course. I have also given in to knowing that my reading group will have to deal with small interruptions when nothing else works.
Planning--like anything new, as I was saying, it takes time to prepare--but as I get more knowledgeable -- it is easier
However, prior to the break we were all buzzing about the new technology we were getting for the fall! For some of us it's apple tv, for others it pods of ipads or larger pods of netbooks and for others it document cameras! All very exciting depending on what you want to do with the technology.
While browsing pinterest (an incredibly addicting site full of amazing ideas - for those of you not yet addicted) I discovered a list of uses for a document camera for all ages! I immediately thought about those 3 lucky people with new document cameras for the fall and thought I would share!
I myself have never used a document camera (was never certain on how it could be helpful to me)! After reading the list I now know.... I want one:)
This summer any teachers interested have been allowed to take an iPad home to play with and get used to. The deal is that some of the time has to be spent on researching apps that would be good to use in the classroom and giving feedback on what looks good. Anyone who's comfortable blogging is welcome to. We all know how busy we are as teachers, so what better time than the summer to relax and casually play.
Over this past week, I have been cataloguing all the technology devices in our school with June in the library. If you have a piece of equipment it will be signed out in your name. So far all the mimios and document cameras have been done and I am working on getting all the iPads completed. For instance, if you are piloting one of the iPads make sure you have it signed out of your name when you return it at the end of the school year--I will be there to sort through this with you, in any case. This new system will be more efficient in keeping track of serial numbers and who has what device!!
The computer off the staffroom where the exercise equipment can be used to sync the ipads. It's my understanding that it's good to sync your ipad every now and then because it clears up all the little glitches. I don't think you need to do it very often --like once every few months. It also probably depends on how many apps are being downloaded and what sorts of apps they are. I will be writing out a sheet for new users to follow.Meanwhile you might like to watch this video if you are new to using itunes and syncing your ipad. Remember it's important not to sync all the photos so make sure you have selected photos checked off. If you are unsure then see me and I can review it with you.
I have been to Hapnot Collegiate to explore what they've been up to with their iPads armed with multitudes of questions. Their school has purchased 10 iPads for the teachers to explore and become comfortable with. They have set them up on a mac desktop app called--iPad Configurator--which has been developed by Apple to help schools organize and manage the iPads. I am impressed!!!
Back I went to our wonderful tech secretary with excitement to see if this was something we could do. I was initially hoping we could manage our iPads on a PC ---which we can still do but we also need to set it up with a Mac too{the iPad Configurator is only compatible with a Mac--of course}. SOOoooo-- first Katherine had to update her Mac to the latest OS and after much conferencing with tech support and a few "OH,NO's" the app has been downloaded and good to go on Katherine's Mac. The iPad configurator will be good to use when setting up a mass group of iPads so they can all have the same settings and a common group of the same apps.
Grade 4/5-Ryan--Grade 2/3 Enns
The students are really enjoying the ipad in their classroom. It's been a wonderful incentive to get work completed and have a chance to experience some of the apps. It's also been a great learning tool for those who need the extra support.It's hard to meet the needs of a whole classroom with one ipad especially without an adaptor such as a vga or hdmi to share it on the whiteboard for all to see. We talked about the cases and how important a strong sturdy case is so that the students could have more hands on with the ipad--such as using the camera. I've been discussing with teachers about how they feel the ipad would be most effective in the classroom. I keep hearing pods of at least 4 to share as a center. Of course it would be ideal to have a pod just for each classroom but us teachers are also very good at sharing.
Ipads-$419.
cases- $50-$100 vga adapter-$29. or hdmi adapter-$39. & $20. for the long hdmi cord or apple tv which would allow the ipad to be wireless for about $100.
Some apps to try out are the Educreations, Show Me, iMovie, Pop Words, Fluency Timer, Holiday Pic It
Here's a great app to try that is easy to use and a real hit with the students. The idea is to make words with the letters Textropolis gives you. The more words you get the more buildings in your city are built. There are hints to use and definitions of each word you find. We've been doing it together once the students get all organized before the bell in the morning. What an incentive! They love it. Once we have discovered all the words for our first city we are challenging another class to see who can build the same city faster. It's a wonderful tool for using the spelling strategies we teach. Check it out and join the fun!
I also have to add how much I enjoy the HDMI cord so I can display the iPad on the lcd projector for all to see. I want to try out the VGA cord as well and see how it works. Some of the LCD projectors don't have the HDMI port. One of the teachers on staff has purchased her own VGA cord a short while ago to try with her iPad. Hmmmm!!
Welcome New iPad users:
At McIsaac, Arlene Collins, Pam Ryan and Jocelyn Enns are piloting the iPads. At Ruth Betts, Penny Grove {along with Cynthia Davey}, Val Johnson and Kali Naylor {along with Sam Moore} are exploring the iPads. OHHHH, you are in for some fun. The one piece of advice I have for you is not to feel overwhelmed. Find one app to try and get comfortable with it rather than bombard yourself with a bunch of apps and feel discouraged.
First Meetings Agenda:
Getting comfortable with using the basics of the iPad- settings- folders-shutting down the running apps-
The imovie link is posted on our classroom blog. I had to make a few tweaks to it since the sound was very loud and almost sounded like we had been outside on a windy day. Now the background music is very quiet and you can't hear it in some places, but I'm not sure how else to change it. It will have to stay the way it is!
I hope you enjoy it as the students had fun filming!
This is the link if you'd rather watch the video full screen.
This is a great tutorial for using the iPad. I suggest you watch the video on your computer and use the iPad to try out the bits and pieces. It is quite detailed but looks of good info.
My class recently used imovie to make a movie about bullying. They used the iPad to film and take pictures and we are ready to edit it this week. Lois also came into the classroom with her LCD adapter (which is wonderful and I want one!) so that we could show the students all at once what we had so far and what we need to work on next.
Some problems we ran into: 1) Ruth Betts doesn't have an LCD adapter for the iPad 2) Ruth Betts only has ONE LCD that has the proper hookups for the adapter 3)The students will need to speak much louder to be heard in the movie so we may have to go back and put their voices in after.
Since we only have a week until Spring Break we will be working hard to finish this movie! I only get the iPad until then so it has to be finished because a new class will get the iPad and it could get accidently erased. I'll post it when I figure out how to do that. Any tips would be appreciated! -Kali
The Instagram app has a new update, which means that you can now e-mail your pictures. I am happy about this because I was sending them to Facebook, then saving them from there to my computer, and then adding them to my blog. -Kali
I have been trying to use the iPad for blogging in my classroom, and my students take advantage of every opportunity to use the iPad everyday, so I am very frustrated that uploading pictures to the blog is so difficult.
I can't upload pictures taken with the iPad to the blog, or through Hotmail, or even through Facebook. I'm not sure why this is.
What I had to do was use the app "Instagram" and go through the pictures I had taken on the iPad and then share them either through Hotmail or Facebook, open them on my computer, and then save them to my computer. After I had done that I uploaded them to the blog, but not using the iPad.
Has anyone else figured out how to upload pictures on the iPad? -Kali
Dang it! While I was busy enriching my mind, watching the Oscars, Lois and Christine were stealing all my ideas and writing them down on this blog before I had the chance leaving me with less to write about. Wait a minute that’s okay according to the keynote speaker, Joan Badger, who based her inspirational talk on this guy, Austin Kleon.
Frankly, this was one of the better PD sessions I have been at, and by better I mean that I came away with ideas to share from every session to use in my own classroom as well as with colleagues.
My first session led me to the website www.blurb.com, which okay seems to be a more useful resource for publishing a printed book for the iPad or iPhone. Are there other options? Yeah, Mixbook, Picaboo, Photoipress, Shutterfly, My Publisher, Smilebox etc. etc. etc. The big difference between this site and others is that you can use free bookmaking software to work offline and when your book is ready, you can upload to Blurb’s site and purchase a hard copy. It can also be made public to read online. Don’t worry Mr. Macbook this works on both mac and PC. It is also really easy to navigate through because you can go to the dropdown menu to find training videos. The final product is a professional looking book, which will impress everyone, even your dog.
During my second session I was a pop star! Okay maybe not quite a pop star, but I was photographed with three other participants by all that attended the class and then the instructor showed all the ways you can alter photos with different iPad apps. (Photosynth, Dynamic Light, Pizel works and Effects Cam) I was disappointed it did not make me thinner, however it was helpful in that the photographs can be altered to make people think you are a professional photographer! It really went along well with the first session I attended and gave me ideas that I could use in the classroom.
My third session was about a girl who lost her memory after a car accident and …. wait a minute that was the movie I went to on Saturday night (one of the perks of being in the city). It was about using the iPad in the classroom. Although it was not what I expected since the focus was for resource/speech teachers using the iPad with specific students. Christine already wrote about it in her blog and probably addressed it much better than I, so read on!
My last session was with the Mimio. The instructor, Catherine Strifling was incredible. She uses her mimio all day long in the classroom and was able to give us some great tips on organizing the classroom and files for the mimio. One great tip was to visit the staff development page under Lesson Plans and Activities for ideas and resources. You can find her listed here http://www.mimioconnect.com/users/cstrifling . All in all, it was a great day and I am already looking forward to next years BYTE conference.
Teach Me Grade 2-
