Sandra McAulay’s Presentation. The use of iPads & Apps in the Classroom

Sandra Macaulays demonstrate how to use technology in the classroom. She recognizes how engaging the use of iPad in the classroom can stretch students to be positive, connected, and focused in their learning. She cited different example of how the use of different apps has help student engage and implement their inquiry project.
What stood out for me is the learning intention of the use of technology and the different example of apps that can be used in the classroom. She emphasizes on letting the students explore through play and letting the student know they have specific time to play and embark on the task of the day suing the app. She retreated on a quote: “Fair is when everyone gets what they need for their learning”. Using IPad picture is always a great start using the Pica-collage app. Students gets to explore by taking personal picture and exploring how they use the app for their project.
She also touched on leadership by role modeling, among the students and tutoring through the use of buddies. Some students shine through the use of buddies. Also establishing relationship that get everyone to connect to the big idea, in the classroom will be the access point for all. Students can also explore what is in the environment, and asking student what they notice or observe, and what they can measure in their surroundings. The class brainstorm on different apps that can be useful for students to explore in the classroom. The list of examples is as follow. Razz-Kids-Read aloud, Fresh Grades, Stalwart for night DLC Whip around, Smart-board, Cause wheel for visually impaired, Legend of Education, Go module, Electronic dictionary, Google translate, Noise cancel headphones, Microphone on keyboard, Symbol Lab, Typing.com, Epic app. Raz kids, Websites, drawing app, Vlogs video Sesame, E-Portfolio, Office 365, google classroom. Pica-collage, seesaw and so many other examples. She shared how picture is a powerful app that students use to represent their learning. Students work on their project using pictures and at the end of it, they pick their best work airdrop to the teacher web after they have completed their work. The use of iPad in the classroom is powerful even for students on IEPS. Sandra gave an example of a student who was completely disengaged and when the students was introduced to the iPad it was interesting to see how that student use it to identify elements in Chemistry and even help students who are achievers in the classroom. This student went from no engagement to high level of engagements and excel in all subject areas. The use of iPad s and apps are valuable because some of these apps are specially design for students that needs support or struggling in the old ways of doing things.
In my last practicum the school had iPad and I was able to use iPad with the help of my coaching teacher to do an activity on advertising. The students were in a group of five and they creatively came up with a log for their product and they did an advertising role play which was recorded and sent to fresh grade an app the school use to communicate to parents. They were all very product on the work and effort they put on their log and how it all turn out.
I will absolutely use iPad in any school in my upcoming practicum if the school have them and in the future in my own classroom if the district I work with make provision for it.