1. Celebrate Mobility
The whole point of m-learning (mobile learning) using devices such as iPads, iPods and tablets, is just that: it’s MOBILE! One of the greatest ways to get the best out of iPads in the classroom setting is to make the most of this flexibility– use them to combine technology with mobility in a way that would simply not have been possible in the old fashioned computer room. A great idea is to download an exciting camera app like fantastic panoramic photo app You Gotta See This and encourage kids to work in teams using their iPads as documentation tools. Create a photographic scavenger hunt where teams have to photograph a set of plants, for example, for a biology lesson, or set them an assignment to create a photo diary of a particular event or topic. For classroom evaluation, photo app QuickShot is especially useful as it can upload snaps straight to Dropbox, enabling you to share with the rest of the class at the click of a button.
2. Game-Based Learning
IPads are ideal for game-based learning as they are easy to handle, share and pass from person-to-person. Check out great games like Math Bingo, where pupils can easily pass the iPad from one to another as they answer number questions to fill in spaces on a bingo card. Or challenge kids to work together to find answers to serious global issues using fantastic learning games like Danger Zone.
IPads are hugely adaptable classroom tools and can be used for almost any purpose, particularly thanks to a whole slew of new apps that allow you to turn your iPad into something else! Use these great apps to transform your device into a stopwatch, a score card, a calculator or even a weather station!
One downside of using iPads in the classroom can be that not all schools necessarily have enough to go around, and using schemes like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) may yield an uneven spread of resources. But this can be seen as a positive, not a negative, as you can encourage students to work in pairs or teams, sharing the iPad as a resource and working together to complete projects. Let them create their own surveys using a great mobile tool like Poll Everywhere, where one student can enter data into the iPad whilst other members of the team ask the questions.
IPads are a fantastically versatile tool to use when encouraging students to prepare and give presentations. Whether they use a tool like Corkulous to create virtual pin boards or a resource like Numbers to share figures, charts and graphs, the iPad is a great, flexible presentation tool which they can carry around the classroom and pass from team member to team member as they take turns presenting.
What are your most successful uses for iPads in the classroom? Let us know using the comments box below!
Image 1 courtesy of Flickr, Barrett Web Coordinator Image 2 courtesy of Flickr, flickingerbrad