Monday, December 05, 2011
Summary
My hopes for creating this blog were to encourage the use of iPods in the classroom, specifically for teaching literacy skills. The information provided was to promote awareness and demonstrate that iPods can be beneficial in the classroom setting. Feel free to browse around my blog; watch the videos, connect to the websites and read the material.
Sunday, December 04, 2011
References
Banister, S. (2010). Integrating the iPod Touch in K-12 Education: Visions and Vices. Computers in the Schools, 27, 121-131. doi: 10.1080/07380561003801580
Bomar, L. (2006). iPods as reading tools. Principal, 85(5): 52-53.
http://www.naesp.org/resources/2/Principal/2006/M-Jp52.pdf
Bomar, L. (2006). iPods as reading tools. Principal, 85(5): 52-53.
http://www.naesp.org/resources/2/Principal/2006/M-Jp52.pdf
Pasnik, S. (2007). iPod in Education: The Potential for Teaching and Learning.
http://www.calvin.edu/~dsc8/documents/iPod_in_Education_Whitepaper-2007.pdf
Poi (iPod Touch). (2011). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 26, 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_Touch
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Benefits of Using an iPod in the Classroom
- Engages students' learning and also incorporates technology related skills.
- Increases student motivation by using a new tool for learning.
- Its a portable device that is easy to use, especially for children today as they are likely already familiar with it.
- Educational apps available to assist in all subject areas.
- Can be used as an organizational tool for students. For example class schedule, calendar, etc.
- iPods can provide students access to the Internet for researching purposes.
- Students can have quick access to dictionaries, calculators and word prediction apps to assist in their everyday work.
- Built in camera is useful for writing stories.
- Immediate feedback for students when using apps.
YouTube videos that show how iPod Touches are beneficial in the classroom setting.
Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLQmz8903rQ
Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eROwqeSZhs4&feature=fvsr
Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ERVijqkatU&feature=related
My Top Literacy Apps for the Classroom
There are numerous literacy apps to pick from, but I chose to list some of my favorites that could be used in an elementary classroom to assist students with reading and writing.
Pictello - $18.99
This great app can be used by students of all ages. Pictello allows users to create talking books. The story can include pictures, text and recorded sound. This app is very easy to use and also fun. Using this app in the classroom can teach students to create their own stories whether it is to recall events, sharing memories or producing a 'How to' idea.
vBookz - $3.99
vBookz is a voice reader app that reads books out loud. The app can access over 36, 000 different books and can also read your own book. The app offers a magnifying glass that indicates your current reading spot and also follows the text as it is read. This app is ideal for struggling readers, but can be useful for all students to have a book read to them.
Word Domino - Free
This app is designed for children 6 years and older to assist in their vocabulary and reading skills. The game also helps to improve mental organization and scanning. The main purpose of the game is for children to build words with the proposed syllables. The game can be played using bubbles that float around the screen or just the classic version of matching two syllables together to make the word. There are three categories wild animals, farm animals and musical instruments.
Phonics Tic Tac Toe - Free
This app is for children between the ages of 6 and 8 years. It is set up like the familiar Tic Tac Toe game where the object is to get three correct answers in a line. Using this app helps to develop better language skills through an interactive game that explores vowel sounds, syllables and beginning and ending sounds. Students from various ages could find this app useful. Lower elementary as well as upper elementary students who are struggling with reading and or writing would benefit from using the app. The app can provide practice and review for students in older grades.
Reel Director - $1.99
This app is a video editing tool where users can create short simple clips. Similar to PowerPoint, users can add text, transitions and edit their video. Students will love creating their own stories using ReelDirector with their friends as characters. Using this app in the classroom can assess a number of LA outcomes such as speaking and listening skills, social skills and writing skills.
Beginning Sounds Sound Sorting - Free
This app teaches children to match words that share the same beginning sound. Students select, before beginning the game, three beginning sounds from pictures. The purpose of the game is for students to click and drag a picture to the matching beginning sounds. This app would work well for young students learning how to spell and learning the beginning sounds of various words.
ABC Tracing - Free
ABC Tracing app is perfect for primary students learning to print and recognize the letters of the alphabet. This app allows users to trace both upper and lowercase letters with their finger. The app also provides the name of each letter and a real world picture that corresponds to the letter.
Letter Buddies AlphaBooks - 0.99
This app is designed for young children in grade primary or grade 1. This app has 24 simple stories about each letter of the alphabet. The simple sentences and real life pictures helps to develop vocabulary and reading skills. This app allows users to have the book read to them or have the option of reading it themselves.
Grammar Jammers Elementary Edition - $2.99
This app, for grades 3-6, has catchy animated songs and rhymes that make learning about grammar fun and exciting. Users will learn proper grammar usage with this app. If the user answers all the quiz questions there is an interactive reward at the end.
Rory's Story Cubes - $1.99
This app is designed for users to create stories based on rolling the cubes. Start with one cube and then link them together to complete the story. Students will love using this app as they shake the iPod to roll the cubes and hear them rattle. This app will help with literacy skills and encourage speaking and listening.
Pictello - $18.99
This great app can be used by students of all ages. Pictello allows users to create talking books. The story can include pictures, text and recorded sound. This app is very easy to use and also fun. Using this app in the classroom can teach students to create their own stories whether it is to recall events, sharing memories or producing a 'How to' idea.
vBookz - $3.99
vBookz is a voice reader app that reads books out loud. The app can access over 36, 000 different books and can also read your own book. The app offers a magnifying glass that indicates your current reading spot and also follows the text as it is read. This app is ideal for struggling readers, but can be useful for all students to have a book read to them.
Word Domino - Free
This app is designed for children 6 years and older to assist in their vocabulary and reading skills. The game also helps to improve mental organization and scanning. The main purpose of the game is for children to build words with the proposed syllables. The game can be played using bubbles that float around the screen or just the classic version of matching two syllables together to make the word. There are three categories wild animals, farm animals and musical instruments.
Phonics Tic Tac Toe - Free
This app is for children between the ages of 6 and 8 years. It is set up like the familiar Tic Tac Toe game where the object is to get three correct answers in a line. Using this app helps to develop better language skills through an interactive game that explores vowel sounds, syllables and beginning and ending sounds. Students from various ages could find this app useful. Lower elementary as well as upper elementary students who are struggling with reading and or writing would benefit from using the app. The app can provide practice and review for students in older grades.
Reel Director - $1.99
This app is a video editing tool where users can create short simple clips. Similar to PowerPoint, users can add text, transitions and edit their video. Students will love creating their own stories using ReelDirector with their friends as characters. Using this app in the classroom can assess a number of LA outcomes such as speaking and listening skills, social skills and writing skills.
Beginning Sounds Sound Sorting - Free
This app teaches children to match words that share the same beginning sound. Students select, before beginning the game, three beginning sounds from pictures. The purpose of the game is for students to click and drag a picture to the matching beginning sounds. This app would work well for young students learning how to spell and learning the beginning sounds of various words.
ABC Tracing - Free
ABC Tracing app is perfect for primary students learning to print and recognize the letters of the alphabet. This app allows users to trace both upper and lowercase letters with their finger. The app also provides the name of each letter and a real world picture that corresponds to the letter.
Letter Buddies AlphaBooks - 0.99
This app is designed for young children in grade primary or grade 1. This app has 24 simple stories about each letter of the alphabet. The simple sentences and real life pictures helps to develop vocabulary and reading skills. This app allows users to have the book read to them or have the option of reading it themselves.
Grammar Jammers Elementary Edition - $2.99
This app, for grades 3-6, has catchy animated songs and rhymes that make learning about grammar fun and exciting. Users will learn proper grammar usage with this app. If the user answers all the quiz questions there is an interactive reward at the end.
Rory's Story Cubes - $1.99
This app is designed for users to create stories based on rolling the cubes. Start with one cube and then link them together to complete the story. Students will love using this app as they shake the iPod to roll the cubes and hear them rattle. This app will help with literacy skills and encourage speaking and listening.
What Does the Research Tell Us About Using iPods in Classrooms
Most schools, at least in Nova Scotia, have a ban on the use of handheld devices within the classroom. Students are not permitted to have their iPod, iPhone or any other device out in the classroom for the reason being that students will be texting and therefore distracted from their learning. But is this ban the correct answer? There is some evidence indicating the positive aspects of iPod use in the classroom.
As we know technology is part of our everyday lives. With new advancements in computers, software programs and handheld devices people are using these 'tools' for communication, scheduling, organization and of course for fun. So if we are using these devices in all aspects of our lives why not incorporate them into the classroom.
Banister (2010) states in her article, Integrating the iPod Touch in K-12 Education: Visions and Vices that these handheld devices serve "as mechanisms to encourage the development of technology skills..." and also seen "as a pathway to increase student learning and achievement " "...in such curricular areas as reading, mathematics, social studies and science...". Throughout the paper Banister identifies various methods teachers could use to incorporate the iPod Touch into their classroom. She briefly discusses some of the features of the iPod that can be used with students. Classroom media resources such as music, photos, videos and YouTube can be used to engage students in a new way of learning. There is also what is referred to as the "digital toolkit" which is notes, clock, calculator, maps and weather available for students. Then there is the whole large component of web applications that is discussed in detail in the paper. Students or teachers are able to download apps via an Internet connection. These apps can be for particular subject areas. (Banister, 2010)
Pasnik (2007) also supports the use of iPods in the classroom. In her paper she discusses how iPods can be a powerful educational tool for students. She outlines six key points of what an iPod can do in the educational setting.
The iPod comes equipped with a audio and video players. Pasnik (2007) explains that audio and video players equals multidimensional learning. With the use of iPods there is the potential to increase students' understanding of the material in different subject areas. iPods can provide greater opportunities for students to extend their critical thinking skills and to build information literacy. And of course the iPod encourages media literacy. (Pasnik, 2007)
Next Pasnik explains that storage capacity and authoring tools equals personalized learning. Combining iTunes with iLife allows students to be their own creators of media products. Therefore, developing skills in self-expression and creativity and also supporting portfolio content creation. While also providing a means of communication to families to see what their children are learning. (Pasnik, 2007)
The third key point is the fact that the iPod is small means its pocket size equals portable learning. Students are not confined to one area of space when using an iPod they are free to move about the classroom and work in groups if necessary. This idea of "learning on the go" as Pasnik put its supports independent learning and helps to maintain collaboration among learners. (Pasnik, 2007)
The simple design of the iPod equals pervasive learning. The iPod can deliver content in a variety of ways therefore differentiating instruction and reaching all types of learners. Its simple design helps to support time management skills for both teachers and students, freeing up class time for discussions. (Pasnik, 2007)
Another of Pasnik's key points is the iPod is a professional development tool that equals ever -evolving teaching. By this Pasnik's explains that not only do students need to stay up to date with their skills and tools available but teachers must do the same. The iPod can assist teachers through the use of podcasts to hear from other teachers' reflections of their classrooms and instructional strategies. (Pasnik, 2007)
The last point described by Pasnik is price of the iPod equals affordable teaching and learning. Its simple, the iPod is inexpensive in comparison to the laptop or computer and brings with it similar features. (Pasnik, 2007)
So we see there are many positive reasons to use an iPod in the classroom. Does the iPod have any effect on student reading? According to Bomar (2006) she reports that "the iPods help enhance their [students] comprehension and vocabulary skills, and give students the sense of the "big picture" in a story rather than bogging them down with the mechanics." Students in Bomar's class regularly use the iPods for read out louds. The literature needed is downloaded on each iPod where students can then read independently the material. This allows students to read along while listening to the story. Bomar also explains that she uses the iTalk feature with her students enabling them to record themselves reading a chapter or selection of poetry. Using iPods in Bomar's class proved to be very beneficial in terms of reading. There was an increase in student motivation toward reading and students' level of confidence improved. (Bomar, 2006)
As we know technology is part of our everyday lives. With new advancements in computers, software programs and handheld devices people are using these 'tools' for communication, scheduling, organization and of course for fun. So if we are using these devices in all aspects of our lives why not incorporate them into the classroom.
Banister (2010) states in her article, Integrating the iPod Touch in K-12 Education: Visions and Vices that these handheld devices serve "as mechanisms to encourage the development of technology skills..." and also seen "as a pathway to increase student learning and achievement " "...in such curricular areas as reading, mathematics, social studies and science...". Throughout the paper Banister identifies various methods teachers could use to incorporate the iPod Touch into their classroom. She briefly discusses some of the features of the iPod that can be used with students. Classroom media resources such as music, photos, videos and YouTube can be used to engage students in a new way of learning. There is also what is referred to as the "digital toolkit" which is notes, clock, calculator, maps and weather available for students. Then there is the whole large component of web applications that is discussed in detail in the paper. Students or teachers are able to download apps via an Internet connection. These apps can be for particular subject areas. (Banister, 2010)
Pasnik (2007) also supports the use of iPods in the classroom. In her paper she discusses how iPods can be a powerful educational tool for students. She outlines six key points of what an iPod can do in the educational setting.
The iPod comes equipped with a audio and video players. Pasnik (2007) explains that audio and video players equals multidimensional learning. With the use of iPods there is the potential to increase students' understanding of the material in different subject areas. iPods can provide greater opportunities for students to extend their critical thinking skills and to build information literacy. And of course the iPod encourages media literacy. (Pasnik, 2007)
Next Pasnik explains that storage capacity and authoring tools equals personalized learning. Combining iTunes with iLife allows students to be their own creators of media products. Therefore, developing skills in self-expression and creativity and also supporting portfolio content creation. While also providing a means of communication to families to see what their children are learning. (Pasnik, 2007)
The third key point is the fact that the iPod is small means its pocket size equals portable learning. Students are not confined to one area of space when using an iPod they are free to move about the classroom and work in groups if necessary. This idea of "learning on the go" as Pasnik put its supports independent learning and helps to maintain collaboration among learners. (Pasnik, 2007)
The simple design of the iPod equals pervasive learning. The iPod can deliver content in a variety of ways therefore differentiating instruction and reaching all types of learners. Its simple design helps to support time management skills for both teachers and students, freeing up class time for discussions. (Pasnik, 2007)
Another of Pasnik's key points is the iPod is a professional development tool that equals ever -evolving teaching. By this Pasnik's explains that not only do students need to stay up to date with their skills and tools available but teachers must do the same. The iPod can assist teachers through the use of podcasts to hear from other teachers' reflections of their classrooms and instructional strategies. (Pasnik, 2007)
The last point described by Pasnik is price of the iPod equals affordable teaching and learning. Its simple, the iPod is inexpensive in comparison to the laptop or computer and brings with it similar features. (Pasnik, 2007)
So we see there are many positive reasons to use an iPod in the classroom. Does the iPod have any effect on student reading? According to Bomar (2006) she reports that "the iPods help enhance their [students] comprehension and vocabulary skills, and give students the sense of the "big picture" in a story rather than bogging them down with the mechanics." Students in Bomar's class regularly use the iPods for read out louds. The literature needed is downloaded on each iPod where students can then read independently the material. This allows students to read along while listening to the story. Bomar also explains that she uses the iTalk feature with her students enabling them to record themselves reading a chapter or selection of poetry. Using iPods in Bomar's class proved to be very beneficial in terms of reading. There was an increase in student motivation toward reading and students' level of confidence improved. (Bomar, 2006)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
iTouch Devices
According to Wikipedia (2011) an iPod Touch "is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc." The iPod Touch 1st Generation was first introduced in 2007. With changes the latest iPod Touch 4th Generation was released in 2010. The iPhone and iPad, also designed by Apple, are similar handheld devices. These three 'i devices' allow users to download apps through the app store. Apps are applications produced to assist the user in performing tasks. (Wikipedia, 2011)
Picture from http://www.tremille.com/en/7-ipod-touch.html
The number of apps available are endless and are continually producing new ones. There are apps for games, banking, weather, e-mail, social networks, flashlights, alarm clocks, to sticky notes. You need an app for something there probably is one, just check out the app store! However, not all apps are free of course. There are a fair number of free ones, but there are also plenty for which you pay for. Generally the prices are low, for example 0.99 for angry birds game.
The iPod Touch device is sweeping the nation and has become a must have for many people. Now a days you are constantly seeing people with their earbuds in listening to something from their iPod. iPods are very popular with teenagers. They are able to download their favorite kinds of music from the itunes store, access movies and get the apps they want. How fun is that?
The number of apps available are endless and are continually producing new ones. There are apps for games, banking, weather, e-mail, social networks, flashlights, alarm clocks, to sticky notes. You need an app for something there probably is one, just check out the app store! However, not all apps are free of course. There are a fair number of free ones, but there are also plenty for which you pay for. Generally the prices are low, for example 0.99 for angry birds game.
The iPod Touch device is sweeping the nation and has become a must have for many people. Now a days you are constantly seeing people with their earbuds in listening to something from their iPod. iPods are very popular with teenagers. They are able to download their favorite kinds of music from the itunes store, access movies and get the apps they want. How fun is that?
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