Integrating the iPad into the Classroom

IIItheC-sydney-mar2014

This blog post includes resources and links for participants attending professional development training in Sydney Cluster schools in March 2014. It includes information to help educators successfully integrate the iPad into their mainstream classroom. 

Information has been compiled by the Spectronics Consultancy Team. Please email us on mail@spectronicsinoz.com if you need any further information.

Please view the slides here:

[slideshare id=32737335&doc=integratingipads-slides-mar14-140325204547-phpapp02]

IPAD BASICS

If you want to know more about iPad Basics then watching the 101 webinar is highly recommended: iPad Basics 101 (iOS6) and iPads Basics 101 (iOS7).

Top iPad Tips

Accessibility information via the Spectronics Blog:

Accessibility Icon

Accessories

Additional accessories such as durable cases, speakers, mounts, switch interfaces, keyguards and styluses can also help to make the iPad more accessible for your students. A range of links for these can be found on our Accessories Page

Integrate the iPad into your classroom

Share your iPad screen to your VGA-equipped data projector, TV or monitor.

Via a cable:

Apple VGA Adaptor or Apple Digital AV Adapter

30pin to VGA adapter30p-AV AdapterLigntning AV Adapter

OR Wirelessly:

Apple TVReflection, and Air Server

Apple TV

Using iPads with Interactive Whiteboards

 

KEY CLASSROOM APPS

While we like to recommend lots and lots of favourite apps, many times it is not about having lots of apps. In the classroom, it is about having a few really good ones. Ones that you can use to create your own materials. When you create your own teaching and learning materials, it means that they are relevant, age appropriate, specific, motivating and most importantly, they suit you, your classroom and your students! Blog post about this: Creation Tools for the iPad. All apps included here are ones that are easy to use and may have good sharing and publishing features.

 

1. Book Creator

[link ids=”book-creator”]

Teacher and students can create books with photos, audio, text and video. 101 uses in the classroom! 

2.  Bitsboard Pro

[link ids=”bitsboard-pro”] 

Vocabulary teaching with interactive games. Use existing vocabulary or easily add your own.

 3. Popplet

[link ids=”popplet”]

Graphic organiser to create mind-maps, allowing for classroom brainstorming, planning written work and much more!

4. Explain Everything

[link ids=”explain-everything”]

Screencasting and interactive whiteboard app, allowing you to create videos  with pictures, photos, annotations and narrations.

5. Puppet Pals

[link ids=”puppetpals-hd”]

Create fun and interactive videos. 

6. Scan -QR

[link ids=”scan”]

More information on QR Codes
Spectronics QR Code

 

APP SMACKDOWN

Here is a HUGE collection of team favourite apps that can be used in the classroom, some of which may be demonstrated during the workshop.

EARLY CONCEPTS

[link ids=”bugs-and-buttons, bugs-and-bubbles, Bugs and Numbers, Monkey Math School Sunshine, Monkey Preschool Lunchbox, Monkey Word School Adventure”]

EARLY LITERACY/ SPECIFIC PHONICS INSTRUCTION

Blog links: Apps for Phonics and webinars on Spectronics Online.

[link ids=”first-words-deluxe, oz-phonics-1, oz-phonics-2, oz-phonics-3, word-wizard, montessori-crosswords, lettersounds1-pro, lettersounds-2-pro, Simplex Spelling Phonics 1, Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 Syllables, simplex-spelling-phonics-advanced-phonograms, Tap the cat, Eggy Alphabet, Eggy Nursery Rhymes, Spelling Games Grade 1,Spelling Games Grade 2,Spelling Games Grade 3,Spelling Games Grade 4,Spelling Games Grade 5,Spelling Games Grade 6, spelling tutor”]

LITERACY SUPPORT TOOLS

Check out this webinar: Top 10 Apps for Literacy Support

[link ids=”tools-4-students-3, tools-4-students-2, pixter, WriteOnline, ireadwrite, ClaroSpeak Australian Edition, Co:Writer, Claro PDF”]

VIDEO CREATION APPS

[link ids=”imovie, sonicpics, mycreate, videolicious”]

NUMERACY APPS

Number:

[link ids=”Math Dictionary for Kids, Talking Calculator,MyScript Calculator,Panther Calculator,Panther Math Paper,MathBoard,1st Grade Maths: Splash Math,2nd Grade Math: Splash Math,splash-math-3rd-grade,4th Grade Math: Splash Math,5th Grade Math: Splash Math,Everyday Mathematics Addition Top It,Everyday Mathematics Subtraction Top-It,Everyday Mathematics Tric-Trac,Sail through Math, Montessori Numbers”]

Money:

[link ids=”Jungle Coins, iCAN Count Money Australia”]

Time:

[link ids=”Telling time – Photo touch game,telling-time-digital-clock,Learning to tell time is fun HD,Telling Time – Fun learn to tell time game ,mathtappers-clockmaster-a-math-game-to-help-children-learn-to-read-clocks”]

FUN IN THE CLASSROOM

[link ids=”bag-game, toontastic, bang-boom-buzzer, tellagami-2, Toca Hair Salon 2, mad-libs”]

 

 

 

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

Discover new apps via an app:

[link ids=”Discovr App,AppStart,i.AM Search,Autism Apps,KinderTown,Appstar picks”]

Websites:


Using Social Media

Need to find more? Want to connect with others who are implementing iPads in their schools and exploring the use of the wide range of apps available? Using the time-honoured strategies of occasional conference attendance, as funds are available, or listserve participation or surfing the net is simply no longer enough

However the collection of freely available resources and valuable time-sensitive advice for special education teachers and those supporting struggling students has grown exponentially on social media channels – supporting building of powerful Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) without geographic boundaries.

A comprehensive overview of these online resources and networks, including Facebook Groups, Twitter hashtags, blogs and key influencers in the field around special education and learning is available via this link bit.ly/Ss4e28

App icons for building your Special Education and Learning Support Professional Learning Networks
In the past special educators and learning support teams have been less enthusiastic than their mainstream peers in embracing social media to build powerful, extended PLNs. It is time to accelerate and expand the adoption of these tools by special educators, to connect with like-minded colleagues globally.

Amanda Hartmann

Amanda is a Speech Pathologist with over 17 years experience. She has worked within educational settings, as an Inclusive Technology Consultant with Spectronics www.spectronics.com.au , and currently focuses her time on her busy private practice. Amanda is a Key Word Sign/Makaton Presenter, an official Proloquo2Go trainer www.assistiveware.com/amanda-hartmann and an official expert TBoxApps Trainer for Therapy Box. She is also a certified Apple Trainer and regularly runs iPad workshops to help schools integrate iPad technology into the classroom, for all learners. Amanda has a special interest in supporting and developing communication, literacy and learning for a wide range of diverse learners, often through the use of visual tools, sign language and technology. She has spent many years providing therapy support and teacher/parent training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for students with complex communication needs, due to disabilities such as: Cerebral palsy and other Physical impairments, Visual impairment, Hearing impairment, Autism, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Intellectual Impairment, Angelman Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and others. She also has specialist knowledge to support the literacy learning of students with learning difficulties, language impairments and other diverse learning needs. She is passionate about providing interactive and engaging presentations to educators, parents and therapists.