Kisan Call Centre - To harness potential of ICT in Agriculture by answer farm...
Impact on learning
1. Impact on Learning
1 pupil in my p3 class does still not know his basic phonics and using the pocket phonics
application gave him a different and stimulating experience to practise this. He was more keen to
practise letter formation on the iPod than he was on paper or the whiteboard.
The pupils also enjoyed the maths games and would ask during their golden time (free choice time)
if they could play these. Their learning experience was enhanced because they had a new fun way
of doing maths.
The experience of playing these types of games meant some children wanted this type of game on
their own computer and 1 child got Brain Trainer for their DS after playing the games.
The ipods have made a very positive impact on the learning experience for the children at school.
They have been enthusiastic and motivated about them and this has encouraged them to practice
their tables.
The apps are very good and they support the primary curriculum well. One app I would like to see
on them is "I can speak Polish" I have this on my ipod and I find it invaluable to support the Polish
speakers throughout the day.
I would consider investing in ipods/ipads if the network was open.
Thank you for the opportunity to use these.
2. Impact on Learning
I used the iPod touches with my class several times over the course of the trial. I found that they
added value most effectively to my maths lessons. I used three applications that I felt were suitable
for P3- 'Pop Maths, Brain Tuner and one that tested times tables. Of these my favourite ( and the
children's) was Pop Math as you could adjust the operation and the numbers or have a mixture of
everything. This allowed for subtle differentiation and focus on a particular group.
I believe the number of calculations the children were doing mentally was much higher as they were
enjoying the game and were trying to beat the clock. They were also able to get immediate
feedback on their answers which is valuable.
The children were really engaged and focussed and I was delighted with the benefits for one child
in particular (who I really struggle to get to answer calculations at all either verbally or on paper)
who was more focussed than I have ever seen him during maths. A fantastic addition to the
teaching of mathematics- would have loved to have used them in a different way with my class but
the apps provided were not ideal- would love to see ORT on the iPods and/or other reading
comprehension activities.
The children have enjoyed using them immensely. They are eager to do spelling and/or maths
activities when sometimes they wouldn't be. The children are very good at explaining patiently to
others how to use them and they pick up the skill quickly.
From a teaching point of view it has been great to hear the conversations generated from them. It's
not only the language of the subject, but PSD that has developed with using the itouches.
The whole school has loved them and they have certainly injected more fun with technology into
learning!
3. Impact on Learning
Many teachers have commented on the positive impact that the iTouches have had on motivation to
learn.
The maths games in particular were a good way to encourage mental agility and times tables.
Overall a very successful pilot which we have benefited from.
Every child in the school has had access to them and during a recent assembly their responses
were very positive.
The iPod has stimulated the students to work creatively together to improve their literacy and
numeracy. It has encouraged student interaction and has been particularly important in encouraging
the reluctant and ESL learners.
It stimulated the pupils to want to learn and provided a means to pursue knowledge independently.
Supporting personalised learning and assisting literacy and numeracy in ESL and reluctant
learners. Most children displayed confidence and independence that when using the devices for
learning activities.
Learning with the ipod touch is worthwhile as it increases student motivation and encourages
collaborative working. It supports ICT skills and encourages engaging and persuasive discussions
between the students.
Pupils have listened to podcasts and novels by favourite authors, which I had downloaded
previously. (Stories for Kids, Storynory, Poetry4Kids, Meet the author, Free Audiobooks for Children
etc) Also podcasts like Lets Move, MAths in Motion, Planet Podcasts etc.
They have also watched short videos. For example: Peter and the Wolf, Parts of a Letter, Parts of
Speech, Oral Presentation Skills, Rockford's Rock Opera.
Unfortunately the area I would have liked to be able to ccess I could not. A greater impact on the
pupils learning would have been evident if they could have used it on the CEC network. Also only
having one ipod restricted the usefulness of it.
4. Impact on Learning
I can see the huge potential for ipads and ipod touch in the classroom but they would only be worth
the investment with a lot more apps and features. I'd like to see a selective pilot where some
primary classes get a 'fully loaded' ipad for a few weeks to see their real impact on L&T.
It was great to have this for two weeks; I was glad to give time in class for individuals and pairs to
explore it. (using the numeracy apps is a good motivator to practise times tables)
These devices really motivated the children and the games and competitive element gave them an
incentive to do well.
It would be a real asset to have a set of these in the class
5. Impact on Learning
I have mainly focussed on using Pop Math for mental maths as you can change the function to
allow differentiation, it is easy to use and the children progress through the levels quickly. It has
increased the speed at which the children can calculate the answers and acted as an engaging and
motivating tool which the class all enjoy using. Ideally due to the class size of 6 and the needs of
the children. a class set allowing all children to use one at the same time would further this but
would obviously involve huge cost and is therefor unlikely to be practical unfortunately
The technology has certainly added another dimension to the Learning and Teaching in the
classroom. Pupils are very familiar with technology and definitely focus more on this medium of
communication than a whole class audio/visual.
Being able to create own resources for pupils to use is definitely the way to enhance L&T.
The pupil response to the new technology has been overwhelmingly positive (after getting over the
possible cost implications)
There are a range of apps which would benefit a wide range of pupil abilities and allow greater
differentiation in classes.