Tips and Considerations for Using An iPads in the Classroom
1) Start gradually: Technology integration is a process, one that starts with your comfort level, and doing things that are not too different from what you do now without the technology. Allow yourself time to adapt to the new environment.
2) The technology is just one more tool in your arsenal as a great teacher: One of the many benefits of the iPad is that as easy as it is to get up and running, it's just as easy to put away when not in use. Feel confident in the use of the iPad when appropriate, and have students set it aside when not necessary for the work at hand. As your comfort level increases in the use of the iPad as an instructional tool and as a learning tool, its integration into your curriculum will also increase.
3) You don't have all the answers, and students can help too: The fast pace of technological change requires us to be life-long learners. You simply can't start at the top, but must be ready to adapt when changes come. Students can be an incredible resource when you get stuck. They love to help you, and each other, and will have a sense of leadership and ownership in the learning process if you ask them for assistance. Take advantage of this built-in resource.
4) Learning from failure: Often when trying to introduce a new technology tool or strategy in our classroom, we run into a glitch, something that doesn't quite run right, or as we anticipated. It could be the tool is not ready for prime time, or it could be that we don't understand it comprehensively enough to implement successfully. It is important during these times to raise ourselves off the ground, dust off our trousers, and try again. Learning from failure is sometimes the best recipe for success.
5) The class might be a little louder than you are used to: A natural outcome of engaged learning is a classroom with more "noise". In general it's good noise, as students are actively involved in their learning. They are discussing the questions that need answering, the problems that need solutions, who takes on the different roles, what research is necessary, what should the end product look like? All of this involves discourse and interaction.
6) Eyes on Me, iPads Face Down: There are a number of ways to get students' attention during group work or projects. Some teachers clap and have students clap back, others raise a hand and wait for students to raise theirs in response. With the iPad, it's extremely tempting for a student to want to continue working, even when you ask for focus back to the large group. Whatever your approach, when you need to get their attention back, make sure they have their eyes on you, and iPads face down. It will make for much better flow.
7) iPads Facing Me: Although this strategy allows you to see the screens, that's not the purpose. Rather, it prevents the students from looking at them and getting distracted while you speak.
8) Flip the screen: At random points during a lesson or activity, ask a student to flip his/her screen to you. It's a nice, simple way to check that they are working on their current task.
9) Check the multi-task bar for most recently accessed apps: The multi-task bar will reveal the most recent apps students were working on. So, by double-clicking the home button you can tell what apps students was on. The apps will be in order, starting with the most recently used at the far left.
2) The technology is just one more tool in your arsenal as a great teacher: One of the many benefits of the iPad is that as easy as it is to get up and running, it's just as easy to put away when not in use. Feel confident in the use of the iPad when appropriate, and have students set it aside when not necessary for the work at hand. As your comfort level increases in the use of the iPad as an instructional tool and as a learning tool, its integration into your curriculum will also increase.
3) You don't have all the answers, and students can help too: The fast pace of technological change requires us to be life-long learners. You simply can't start at the top, but must be ready to adapt when changes come. Students can be an incredible resource when you get stuck. They love to help you, and each other, and will have a sense of leadership and ownership in the learning process if you ask them for assistance. Take advantage of this built-in resource.
4) Learning from failure: Often when trying to introduce a new technology tool or strategy in our classroom, we run into a glitch, something that doesn't quite run right, or as we anticipated. It could be the tool is not ready for prime time, or it could be that we don't understand it comprehensively enough to implement successfully. It is important during these times to raise ourselves off the ground, dust off our trousers, and try again. Learning from failure is sometimes the best recipe for success.
5) The class might be a little louder than you are used to: A natural outcome of engaged learning is a classroom with more "noise". In general it's good noise, as students are actively involved in their learning. They are discussing the questions that need answering, the problems that need solutions, who takes on the different roles, what research is necessary, what should the end product look like? All of this involves discourse and interaction.
6) Eyes on Me, iPads Face Down: There are a number of ways to get students' attention during group work or projects. Some teachers clap and have students clap back, others raise a hand and wait for students to raise theirs in response. With the iPad, it's extremely tempting for a student to want to continue working, even when you ask for focus back to the large group. Whatever your approach, when you need to get their attention back, make sure they have their eyes on you, and iPads face down. It will make for much better flow.
7) iPads Facing Me: Although this strategy allows you to see the screens, that's not the purpose. Rather, it prevents the students from looking at them and getting distracted while you speak.
8) Flip the screen: At random points during a lesson or activity, ask a student to flip his/her screen to you. It's a nice, simple way to check that they are working on their current task.
9) Check the multi-task bar for most recently accessed apps: The multi-task bar will reveal the most recent apps students were working on. So, by double-clicking the home button you can tell what apps students was on. The apps will be in order, starting with the most recently used at the far left.