Mobile Technologies

7 Ways To Use Your iPad In The Classroom http://t.co/WjNYDEs9A6
— Edudemic (@Edudemic) June 28, 2013

 I love my iPad! I use it throughout the entire day every single day. I have seen firsthand how an iPad can engage and captivate a student while they are learning. We are now at the point in our society where constant communication and connection to the Internet is simply ubiquitous (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 205).  The world of technology is definitely on the rise. Students can spend hours on their own devices at home. So it is absolutely necessary that we incorporate some forms of technology into our own classrooms in order to keep their attention for an 8-hour day. Technology’s visual and interactive qualities can direct students’ attention toward learning tasks (2013, p. 25). There are so many things that you can do with an iPad. My students’ favorite this past year was making their own Wiki after learning about the rainforest. They were able to record a short clip it of something they learned. Students who learn by creating their own products with technologies such as word processing, multimedia, and other technology products report higher engagement in learning and a greater sense of pride in their achievements (2013, p. 25).  My students use the iPad during one of their math rotations. They are at math rotations while I am meeting with a small group at my table. During the iPad rotation, they are usually practicing their multiplication since mastery of their multiplication facts is expected by the end of the year. It is a very quick and easy way to provide reinforcement of the skill. When students need focused practice in order to comprehend and retain the skills they learn , software such as the drill-and-practice type offers the privacy, self-pacing, and immediate feedback that makes practice most effective (2013, p. 25).

I have over fifty apps on my iPad that are beneficial to student learning. It's hard to pick just four! However, these are the four that I find the most useful, and I think my students would probably pick the same ones.

Smarty Cursive app= <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cursive-touch-and-write/id528183660?mt=8"></a> This app allows students to trace letters and words in cursive. My students use this app during our literacy rotations. They go to this station at least once a week. This is an easy and effective way to get cursive writing into lesson plans.

Kindle app= <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kindle-read-books-ebooks-magazines/id302584613?mt=8"></a>
I use this app daily during our read aloud chapter book time at the end of the day. I also use this app whenever I am reading a story book that my students do not have their own copy of. I use a VGA cord that connects my Promethean board and my iPad together. Whatever is on my iPad will also show on my board. This allows students to read along in the book with me. I don't have enough classroom funds to supply a copy of the chapter book that we are reading to each student. So, this works wonderfully in class! I love this!

Magnetic Alphabet app= <a href="http://www.slapapp.com/magnetic-alphabet-lite-1-0-for-the-ipad-learning-the-abcs-is-now-free/"></a> This app is exactly what it says. It is an alphabet that the students can manipulate and make words. I like to use this app for my struggling or intensive students. I also use this app on my own son that just turned six.

BrainPop= <a href="http://www.brainpop.com/"></a> I really like this app. My students always love it as well. If they ever have free time, they love to watch the videos on here.