The versatility of an iPad for education is endless. I am no expert, nor even a veteran in curating apps for the classroom, but I am off to a great start for this next school year.
Here is how I have discovered using an iPad in the classroom. No, I'm not referring to a 1:1 iPad scenario. I am talking about a 1:30 situation.
Here is how I have discovered using an iPad in the classroom. No, I'm not referring to a 1:1 iPad scenario. I am talking about a 1:30 situation.
Skype for the iPad is invaluable for connecting with classrooms around the world. Recently, I've learned about the Mystery Skype Project. MSP is a network of classrooms willing to invite other classes into their via Skype. The catch is that students are not told where the location of the visiting class is. Instead, students are put to the test of discovering where their visitors are from by asking "yes" or "no" questions and actively doing research and logical reasoning while Skyping to figure out the location. It reminds me of the old children's game "Guess Who?" but digital.
Green Screen Movie FX is an iPhone app that I use on my iPad to create movies in front of a green screen in my classroom. You can select a preloaded image or video background from the app itself, or load a picture of your own. Stand your students in front of the green screen, and get ready for the rest of the day to be spent there. That is how much fun this app is!
I intend to use Green Screen Movie FX a lot for social studies. After studying a unit on world civilizations we will have a "Who's Line Is It" green screen review. Students won't know where they are or who they are with from our unit (imagine a student standing in front of the Coliseum), but they will be expected to describe their experience while the class continually helps them to figure out their context by asking more probing questions. The rest of the class will be able to view this as it happens on our projector (details on how at the end of this blog).
I intend to use Green Screen Movie FX a lot for social studies. After studying a unit on world civilizations we will have a "Who's Line Is It" green screen review. Students won't know where they are or who they are with from our unit (imagine a student standing in front of the Coliseum), but they will be expected to describe their experience while the class continually helps them to figure out their context by asking more probing questions. The rest of the class will be able to view this as it happens on our projector (details on how at the end of this blog).
Cinch is also an iPhone app that I use on my iPad 2 to create classroom podcasts. It is a very user friendly program that allows you to create voice recordings along with video or pictures on the spot. You can also upload them to various social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. I can't wait to use this in the classroom as a substitute for photocopied weekly newsletters. As a bonus, using Cinch to create podcasts gives context to your students language arts assignments. Imagine the effort put into these projects knowing that someone else is going to be listening to it.
Finally, Weebly! Weebly is an iPad app that is connected to Weebly.com, a free website creator. This is the program that I chose to use to create my classroom's website, www.mrguymonsclassroom.weebly.com.
I looked into other websites that many educators use to host thier classroom blogs and webpages, but Weebly had more to offer me. Not only is it pleasing to look at, with loads of templates to choose from. It couldn't get simpler to use. You can add pictures, videos, text, maps, Youtube clips, URLs, social networking buttons, polls, contact lists (should I keep going? . . . I can). Best of all, it is all drag-and-drop based. The only person I can think of that would not find this site easy is someone without fingers, in which case, I am very sorry for your loss.
Also, Weebly allows you to create multiple pages. If you visit my website, you will notice that I have a welcome page, a classroom blog page, a teacher bio page, and my edublog page. I haven't found anything I don't like about this app yet, but I will let you know if I ever do.
I looked into other websites that many educators use to host thier classroom blogs and webpages, but Weebly had more to offer me. Not only is it pleasing to look at, with loads of templates to choose from. It couldn't get simpler to use. You can add pictures, videos, text, maps, Youtube clips, URLs, social networking buttons, polls, contact lists (should I keep going? . . . I can). Best of all, it is all drag-and-drop based. The only person I can think of that would not find this site easy is someone without fingers, in which case, I am very sorry for your loss.
Also, Weebly allows you to create multiple pages. If you visit my website, you will notice that I have a welcome page, a classroom blog page, a teacher bio page, and my edublog page. I haven't found anything I don't like about this app yet, but I will let you know if I ever do.
Here are a few iPad accessories that I have for my classroom. Not essential, but certainly worth the money.
I found this iPad tripod on Amazon.com for around $22 (about 50% off). It is such a wonderful tool to have for filming videos (think Green Screen Movie FX). I also use it for my personally created flipped lessons. 5 stars from this guy (I'm doing the thumb thing)!
Also, found this VGA adapter. Yea, I didn't know what it was at first either. Here is the lo-down (sp?). A VGA adapter allows you to connect your iPad to a classroom projector. Voila! Now, I can use all of the apps I listed above on my iPad while displaying them to my students through our classroom projector. #yeahbaby
I found this iPad tripod on Amazon.com for around $22 (about 50% off). It is such a wonderful tool to have for filming videos (think Green Screen Movie FX). I also use it for my personally created flipped lessons. 5 stars from this guy (I'm doing the thumb thing)!
Also, found this VGA adapter. Yea, I didn't know what it was at first either. Here is the lo-down (sp?). A VGA adapter allows you to connect your iPad to a classroom projector. Voila! Now, I can use all of the apps I listed above on my iPad while displaying them to my students through our classroom projector. #yeahbaby
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