8. Accommodate Differences
• Easy-to-use touch screen
• Visual and audio aids
• Customize learning for individual students
• Instant interventions for students
• Interactive, engaging learning
9. How to Integrate iPads
• Rotation activities
• Communication devices
• Assistive technology
• Assessment options
• Classroom management
10. Helpful Hints
• Create a user agreement for students
• Have a set system for headphones
• Splitters allow for multiple users
• Use screenshots to teach access
Notas do Editor
This is a brief presentation about why iPads are beneficial in the classroom and how to integrate iPads. All images are copyright free from Wikipedia or iTunes.
iPads are a great tool to use in your classroom since they are universally acceptable and used widely in education. They are reasonably priced, especially compared to alternative educational technology. iPads are also easy to transport from small hands to small hands or from one location to another. There are countless apps available to meet the needs of any student, making learning adaptable for each individual child.
iPads allow for Universal Design for Learning in the classroom as learning can be individualized to each student. Apps such as iBooks allows for students to access a variety of books on different topics and various reading levels. Toontastic allows students to create their own stories through cartoon. UDLinks allows teachers, or older children, to find access for UDL lessons for the classroom. VoiceThread allows for recording and creating audio-heavy projects. Animoto creates presentations or stories from images, photos, slideshows, and music.
These apps allow students to learn using multiple means of representation and engagement, as they can make learning individual to themselves.
These apps provide for multiple means of representation and can be used for students to present their learning to others.
There are numerous apps for assistive technology to help students with disabilities or disadvantages. DragonDictation, for example, is a speech-to-text program that can benefit individuals with visual impairment. MyChoiceBoard and SuperDuperPublications offer great technologies for students who have autism. These apps can help them communicate.
These are some additional apps that can be integrated into the classroom with the use of an iPad to help students with special needs. SocialExpress and CalmMyselfDown are great apps for students with autism.
iPads allow for the acceptance and accommodation of differences among students. For example, students of all levels can interact with the iPad due to the easy to use touch screen and visual and audio aids. With so many apps available, learning can be customized for each individual student and some apps may be used as additional interventions for students for additional RTI. Most enjoyable to the children, iPads can keep learning engaging and interactive.
iPads can be used so many ways in the classroom. Students can be engaged with iPads during small group rotations as the teacher can work with one group of students while another group works independently with the iPads. The iPads can be used as communication devices between the teacher and students, as well as from students to students. As stated earlier, the iPad can be used to provide assistive technology for students with special needs. iPads can also provide various methods for assessment for students, especially through the use of apps and the internet. Teachers can also use iPads to assist with classroom management.
To wrap up this brief presentation, I want to simply share a few helpful hints for integrating iPads into your classroom. Be sure to create (or find and borrow!) a user agreement for your students (and their parents!) to sign about iPad use. You want to make sure that students and parents know they are responsible for any major damage to iPads. Also, be sure to have a set system for easy access to headphones. This is something I am currently trying to work on in my own classroom, but my system of bagged earphones in dividers works fairly well and students can access all materials independently. Be sure to have some splitters on hand so multiple students can access an iPad at the same time! Remember, when working with new apps or technology, things need to be explicitly taught. Screenshots have helped me teach my students how to use various technology in my classroom.