Initial Planning
- planning meeting of school CATC (Computers across the Curriculum) committee in June, made decision to purchase 5 iPads
- Trish took on the role of investigating / researching iPads - visiting websites and blogs, going to CATC camp, networking with other teachers, trying out different apps, getting excited!
Purchasing
Set-up
Charging and Syncing
Preparing the Students
iPads in ACTION!
~ Review and Practice ~
~ Extensions of learning ~
~ Reflections on Learning ~
~ Daily / Weekly iPad 'Challenge' (posted on whiteboard)
- principal anticipated extra funds in June - there weren't, but she made it happen in August/September
- made decision to purchase 8 iPads (WRDSB IT Store)
- used a recycled laptop (CATC Connection)
- purchased covers (Best Buy - $39.99) and stylus ($14.99)
- devised a temporary system (iTunes cards) for purchasing apps until the board creates a system-wide purchasing process (hopefully before December holiday)
Set-up
- followed Langwitches blog to set up the iPads
- iPads were registered and synced
- spent lots of time in app store - searching and trying out free apps to start
- covers were purchased and added to the iPads (in the beginning, iPads were kept in their boxes, for safety - as in picture above)
- used a google doc to gather input from staff re: apps
- Gr. 3-4 class voted on names for the 8 iPads (iBlueJay, iLoon, iFalcon, iBlueBird, iChickadee, iTurkey, iBlueHeron, iSwan); pictures of the birds were found and put into ComicLife, the name added, then this was saved and used as the background image for the device)
- a kit was created with iPads, chargers, cleaning cloths
- kit is locked up at the end of each day
Charging and Syncing
- it is necessary to designate a computer for syncing the devices - a recycled MacBook from IT was donated for this purpose (thanks Becky!)
- in October, the laptop was updated to the newest version of iTunes (currently 10.5) - devices were updated to iOS5
- the initial set-up, charging and syncing was all done at home
- on an on-going basis, the 8 iPads can be charged in the classroom using 3 power bars
Preparing the Students
- we started the year off with a Digital Citizenship presentation by Susan Watt, and follow-up activities
- students were involved in the discussion about planning for the iPads; they were asked about previous experiences with devices and apps; excitement built!
iPads in ACTION!
- introductory lessons involved examining the iPad closely and talking about all the parts, functions, features, care and respect, how much it's worth, how to touch it, how to hold it, why it rotates, how to use the cover, home button, how to turn on and off, built in apps and features, and a general discussion of the many ways we may use these in our classroom
- set up 3 groups for introducing the iPads - in these smaller groups of 8, students had their first opportunities to use the iPad - it's important to choose a first experience that is fairly simple, that will give the students a challenge, and provide an opportunity for success
~ Review and Practice ~
- Math - addition / subtraction facts
- Language - spelling, grammar
- Social studies - province names and capitals
- Science - animal identification
- Health - using 'Screenchomp' - draw pictures of lunches, talk about food groups, sample here
- use 'Show Me' - take pictures of lunches, same as above, sample here
- 'Comic Life' - science presentation of Plants
- 'Talking Ben and Tom do the News' - able to video and record conversation
~ Extensions of learning ~
- roman numerals, names of days of week, when is the next leap year
- research - Canada facts, group collaboration about brown bears and penguins using 'ScreenChomp'
- using back channel to comment on video, or other lesson content
- writing on class blog
~ Reflections on Learning ~
- using 'Puppet Pals' - what did you learn about ...?
- using 'Sock Puppets' - spelling words, question and answer
~ Daily / Weekly iPad 'Challenge' (posted on whiteboard)
- something spatial
- something research
- something extension
- something creative