RCE: 11 Tools, Tool 9: Incorporating Classroom-Based Devices as Tools for Learning

Why do you think it is important to tie the technology to the objective?

Technology is a tool. Without tying it to the objective, it can become meaningless, busy work. Without meaning to, sometimes teachers fall into the trap of using their Activboards as glorified powerpoints or worksheets. I also feel that some of the websites out there do the same thing. Instead of filling in the blank with paper and pencil, we now use the click of a mouse. It is important for teachers to reflect on the objective, task analysing the skills students need to grow. Kids love technology and some of them know more than I do! Unfortunately, our current high-stakes testing system does not measure how creative or innovative students are; however, we want to teach them to be critical thinkers and thus need to provide transformative learning opportunities.



Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers?

I believe most learning takes place when we reflect on our process. Holding students accountable for their learning is a must because it helps them have a purpose for their learning. By establishing clear expectations and achievable goals, students are more likely stay focused and engaged in the learning process.

Visit 2 of the applicable links to interactive websites for your content/grade level. Which sites did you like? How could you use them as stations? How can you hold the students accountable for their time in these stations?

I tried Thinkfinty and Studyladder.

I could see using Thinkfinty as a station. Many of the ReadWriteThink activities have a product that students would produce.

Studyladder and Atomic Learning would be good for individualized teaching, allowing students to practice grammar rules they may be struggling with. I would hold them accountable by asking them to edit their own writing, applying the new grammar skill learned. Students could also use these websites for homework practice.

List two to three apps you found for the iPod Touch/iPad that you can use in your classroom. What do you see that station looking like? How can you hold the students accountable for their time in these stations?

I will use ibook, Kindle or Nook as a listening/ reading station (see below), depending on the books provided for classroom use. To hold students accountable, students would (from time to time) be required to annotate their thinking by taking notes on the devices and look up words they do not know. I would also create a wiki or blog for students to share their thoughts on what they are reading. Students who choose to read the same books can collaborate and share ideas using this media.

iBook: This app allows you to downloads book right to your device. Most of the classics are free; however, other books will cost you between $.99 and $14.99. The new 1.3 version has a read-aloud feature for children that "uses a real narrator to read the book to you, and in some books, it will even highlight the words as you read along."

Other book apps include Nook and Kindle! If you have an iPad, iPhone, or iTouch, you can download all three of these apps for free. The Nook and Kindle are also available on Android phones/ tablets.

I am also excited about trying Jing. While it is not currently available on the iTouch or iPad, I am hoping they will add it soon. If not, I will use it as a station using the Netbooks. I think it would be a good tool to use with research, as students can take a screenshot of any of the pictures they wish to use and take notes about them. Watch the overview video here to learn more.

Also check out I❤EdTech to check out more classroom ideas!

What about other ways to use the iPod Touch/iPad? Share another way you can see your students using the device as a station.

Did you know, you can take a screenshot with the iPad by pressing the power and menu buttons simultaneously. Pretty cool!

Some of my favorite apps include:

Penultimate- cost: $1.99: Take notes, keep sketches, and allows you to share ideas.

Worldbook--This Day in History: An interactive calendar that features historical information for each day of the year

Flipboard: This app allows you to keep up with all your RSS feeds in a magazine format. Great for those who want to keep up with Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader and other news.

Dictionary.com: A dictionary and thesaurus

Dragon Dictation: Dragon Dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition application powered by Dragon® NaturallySpeaking® that allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text or email messages. In fact, it’s up to five (5) times faster than typing on the keyboard.



Mobile Mouse Pro: This app acts as a remote control that allows you to control all of your internet and media programs. It is supposed to work with the Activboard. Very cool! Check out this video for more information:

Evernote: An app that allows you to take notes with the ability to insert audio clips, pictures, and video clips.

I look forward to experimenting with these apps in the classroom next year! SBISD's database, which allows you search for Web 2.0 tools, is very helpful. If you have any other ideas for using apps in the classroom, please share!