Lisa Hopkins - 20% Project - IPADS & IPOD Touches in the Classroom

Lisa Hopkins 20% Project – ITOUCH and IPAD

        This has been a fun project and these are some of the accomplishments.  My teaching partner and I pooled classroom PTO funds and purchased 4 IPOD Touches for a learning station in our classrooms.  We also have 60 available for checkout in the media center.  In addition I purchased a personal IPAD.  I quickly learned how to download and maintain an ITUNES account and five devices--both a school one and home one.  I researched the Highlands App list and loaded a variety of different math and language apps.  I also researched a variety of websites.  This one is my favorite and I got lots of ideas beyond ITOUCH/PAD.

http://edte.ch/blog/interesting-ways/      Another thing was that created a shared spreadsheet of apps.  I also am learning how to manage photos on both devices.  I have loaded e-mail,  the latest version of ITUNES and am learning how to navigate the wireless network and trying to learn how to upload videos to You Tube.  

    Using IPOD touches in the classroom have provided a technology enriched learning environment.  Students have been able to pursue individual curiosities by creating videos, documenting learning, and problem solving.   One favorite app is called Strip Designer.  Students are able to use photos to create collages that tell about the learning that is taking place in class.  Another app is called Story Kit.  This is also easy to use and students may type stories and add photos. They have become active participants in setting their own educational goals in the areas of fact master and fluency building.  Students are able to assess their own progress in both of these areas.  Another benefit is that students are modeling and teaching each other and me.  

      Because of my enthusiasm with my IPAD, I have been able to model and facilitate effect use of this current technology.  The students were so excited when they saw me use it.  I have been able to locate and evaluate many various apps and integrate them into learning.  We had Word Game Wednesday.  One of the stations involved using the IPOD Touches for word games.  The model that has been most successful is for me to teach a small group of 4 students an app using my IPAD.  When these students learn the app, then they teach four more students.  It has been fun to be on the cutting edge of current research with these devices and continue to find ways that are in support of student learning. 

This 20% Project was fun to work on, because I had choice and it fits well with our elementary school and helped motivate me to use IPOD Touches more in my classroom!