The use of iPads as a teaching tool

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Thomas on December 5, 2012 at 3:11am

Hi Chris, a study of how a college library could incorporate tablets/iPads was conducted last year at City College Norwich by Graham Denny, Learning resources adviser.

Attachments:

• SLT e-book report with note.docx, 47 KB

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roland Baggott on December 7, 2012 at 4:43am

Chris, on Sat 8 Dec Karen Lirenman (Canada) will conduct an online seminar including use of iPads for teaching. Good luck

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Christopher Heath on December 11, 2012 at 6:47am

http://learningandsharingwithmsl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/using-ipad-... 

I have some ideas on how some of these can be adapted for post 16. Any further ideas?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ann Guilder on December 19, 2012 at 3:12pm

Hi Chris just found this, may be helpful to you

25 Ways To Use Tablets In The Classroom

http://edudemic.com/2012/12/25-ways-to-use-tablets-in-the-classroom/

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keeley Knowles on December 20, 2012 at 5:23am

Hello Chris,

I think students should be offered an alternative - a laptop perhaps - which would be more beneficial for some in terms of studying both in college and at home. Although iPads are clearly very useful for researching quickly etc in the classroom (as we've found on many occasions) I think they are a non-essential, expensive tool which have the potential to distract students and disrupt sessions due to the temptation to 'hide' behind the iPad cover/stand to engage in social networking and so on. And like mobile phones (many of which already have apps), I fear the routine use of iPads could become another gadget that will need to be policed and therefore require the making of further policies. To me, this doesn't seem a productive use of valuable time and human resources when free, easily accessible internet is available throughout the college.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Malloy on December 20, 2012 at 11:39am

Hi Chris. I was given 40 iPads to integrate into my school 3 years ago. I have a few things you can look at on the following web page:

http://malloyclass.weebly.com/technology.html

Keep in mind that I teach at an elementary school.

Hope this helps.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Christopher Heath on December 22, 2012 at 4:25am

Thanks John

That's a great help. Love to see so much active learning going on. The shark dissection in particular looks fun. 

Chris

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Matt Bury on December 25, 2012 at 10:06am

Hi Christopher,

I've done a fair amount of bring your own device (BYOD) in class teaching as well as in computer labs. In my experience, I'd say that iOS, the operating system in iPods, iPhones and iPads, is possibly the least suitable for learning purposes. Learners have too many problems with trying to submit their work to their teachers or upload it onto their eportfolios or the school's/university's LMS. In many cases, it just isn't possible (I've provided direct IT support to learners and teachers on some projects) meaning that learners have had to abandon projects and start over on another device or computer. I found that learners with Windows PCs, Macs, and Blackberry and Android devices could operate far less problematically. Also, consider that needing to contact IT support for help is one of the best ways to kill off learner and teacher productivity and creativity.

Device wise, I think it's well worth considering what you expect of your learners. If you want long form writing, I think tablets and phones are discouragingly difficult to use and I'd recommend something with an actual, physical keyboard. If you want learners to create and edit media, consider investing in equipment that is #1 powerful and utilitarian enough to do the job, and #2 the appropriate software is available and affordable - Can you install and run open source software on it? In my experience, the best platforms are Windows XP, Vista, and 7, Mac OSX, and Linux (Mint or Ubuntu).

I hope this helps! :) 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rivki Locker on December 27, 2012 at 7:26am

Hi Chris. Have you seen this: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/12/top-7-guides-on-how-to-u...

Looks very relevant.

• ▶ Reply