iPads in Education
Since its release in 2010, the iPad has moved into classrooms as a front-line learning technology. There are currently about half a million apps available through the iTunes App Store, and this number increases by hundreds every day! In the Education category there are nearly 40000 apps, and it is not uncommon to see 60-80 new apps in the App Store each day. Below are some resources to assist schools considering implementing iPads:
iPad implementation
- iPads for Education (http://www.ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au/) The Victorian Government’s site supporting their iPad trial which commenced in 2010. Includes case studies, app reviews, classroom ideas and ’21 Steps to iPad Success’ an implementation guide.
- iPads in Education (http://ipadeducators.ning.com/) A blog with all things iPad, dedicated to exploring the use of iPads and eBooks in education. The section on ‘Deployment’ gives implementation considerations, and many ideas come from the blog entries provided by subscribers.
- iPad in Education (http://www.larkin.net.au/blog/2011/01/30/ipad-in-education/) John Larkin, a Victorian teacher, maintains an extensive blog. This page supports a PD course he offers…scroll down the page to find Resources and Links.
- Queensland Schools’ Guide for purchasing and using personal productivity devices (http://www.aseaq.org.au/files/School_iPad_advice.pdf) Advice for Queensland schools on purchasing and using devices such as iPads. Good advice on iTunes accounts.
- Atomic Learning (http://www.atomiclearning.com/au/ipad) Tutorials on iPad features and functions…remember, our CEO Sydney username is sdceo and our password is learn.
- iPads in the Classroom (https://sites.google.com/site/schrockipad/) Kathy Shrock is a renowned US educator. Her site has links to many iPad items, one of the most significant being her listing of apps according to the revised Bloom’s digital taxonomy.
- Learning in Hand (http://learninginhand.com/ipad/) Tony Vincent is a US teacher – his page includes links to blogs and articles about the use of iPads in education.
- Less Than a Class Set Less Than a Class Set (pdf), from the Dec 2011/January 2012 edition of ISTE’s ‘Learning & Leading With Technology’ journal, discusses the effectiveness of implementing a small number of iPads in a class, as opposed to a 1:1 implementation.
- iPads for Learning (http://www.scoop.it/t/ipads-for-learning/p/1152198279/rethinking-testing-in-the-age-of-the-ipad),ipadsineducation (http://www.scoop.it/t/ipadsineducation), iPads (http://www.scoop.it/t/ipads), iPads in Education Daily (http://www.scoop.it/t/ipads-in-education-daily) are all examples of self-published online magazines through a site called Scoop.it (http://www.scoop.it/). Well worth a visit…search for iPads and see what you can find
Digital Pedagogy
- Teach With Your iPad (http://teachwithyouripad.wikispaces.com/IPAD+Activities+Examples) Suggestions for activities and lessons using an iPad.
- Interesting ways to use an iPad in the classroom (https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhn2vcv5_721gdk5jtd8) This is a Google Docs presentation from Tom Barrett (his blog is great) – teachers contribute a slide with a lesson idea or tip.
App Reviews
- Thousands of Apps. Endless Potential (http://www.apple.com/au/education/apps/) Apples own guide to educational apps. Apps are categorised under a variety of headings such as English, Maths and Special Education.
- Apps in Education (http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/) This blog from Greg Swanson, a teacher at Marist College Eastwood, reviews education apps in KLA categories.
- iPad Curriculum (http://www.ipadcurriculum.com/) A searchable database of education apps, can be cross-referenced with Bloom’s Taxonomy.
- iPad Family (http://www.ipadfamily.com.au/ipad-childrens-education.htm) Apps reviewed from an Australian family perspective.
- App Annie (http://www.appannie.com/matrix/ipad/education/) This site draws sales info from App Stores around the world to list the most popular apps at any given time. The link above is for Education apps on the iPad.
- iEAR (http://www.iear.org/) A community based (US) app rating site..includes reviews by students and teachers.
- Apple Learning Tour November 2011 (link to pdf… Apple Learning Tour Nov 2011) from the Apple Learning Tour conducted at the Novotel, Homebush in early November. The presenter, John Burns, categorised apps under the SAMR model. I also have this available as an ePub for iBooks…let me know if you’d like a copy.
- The Digital Media Diet (http://digital-storytime.com/wp/) This blog looks at technology and apps from a parent’s perspective. There is a particular focus on digital books and book apps, but the site also links to a wide range of resources.
- APPitic (http://www.appitic.com) a directory of apps for education by Apple Distinguished Educators (ADEs) to help teachers transform teaching and learning. Apps are categorised in a variety of different grade levels, instructional strategies and classroom settings.
Podcasts
- iPad Today (http://twit.tv/ipt) From the highly respected TWiT network, this show highlights the best apps, most helpful tools, coolest tricks, and essential news surrounding the iPad revolution.
Research Papers
- Grace, K. E. (2011) Comparing the iPad to Paper: Increasing Reading Comprehension in the Digital Age (http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi?acc_num=bgsu1300309882)
