Instructional Strategies and iPads

I read an article about an iPad app called GoClass (http://ipadapps4school.com/2013/02/14/use-goclass-to-create-and-deliver-lessons-through-ipads/).  It's a free app used to make lesson plans.  It is easy to adapt and change, deliver, ask questions, poll students, and receive feedback.  It collects data about what lessons students are using, and students can also "favorite" a lesson so you know what the students enjoy.  This sounds like a useful app because lesson plans can be tentative, but this makes it a lot easier.  I like the feature that students can tell the teacher what they like so you can keep using those activities.

I really enjoyed the article called "Using Technology to Reach Unreachable Students" (http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-strategies-struggling-learners-ben-johnson).  There will always be students who fight learning, no matter what you do, but it was encouraging to read about how an iPad changed students' attitudes.  It also made me realize that getting this technology minor will help teach students who don't want to be taught.  It made me think that I need to continually learn about new teaching methods, whether it be technology or not, to accommodate all of my students.

The article called "The Single Most Important for iPad Success in Schools" (http://learninginhand.com/blog/the-single-most-important-factor-for-ipad-success-in-schools.html) was very interesting.  The title was very interesting and I wasn't expecting to read what it said.  The most important factor was to give the students "personal ownership".  We have also talked about that in class, and I agree that it is important.  Students will have more motivation, interest, and are more likely to be engaged in what they are doing.  Instead of telling students exactly what they can and can't do, let them explore and learn on their own.  As children get older, they have to make their own decisions, so why should we make every decision for them?  Once you let students have personal ownership with iPads and other technology, you will  also learn new things.

iPad Apps

My specialization is Special Education so I thought it would be interesting to research and analyze apps that would be useful for children with special needs.  I believe that technology and the use of iPad apps can really enhance a student's learning.

One app that I think is very useful for children who cannot speak is Proloquo2Go.  It is expensive, but extremely helpful.  Not only does it help you as the teacher figure out what the student is trying to say, but it is making the student more independent.  This app makes it easy for students who cannot speak, or only can say a few words communicate with the teacher and others.

Making a schedule for students with special needs is extremely important.  Students, especially ones with Autism, function better when they know what is going on and with repetition.  An app that looks like it would be helpful for making a schedule is ChoiceBoard-Creator.  It is a free app that is customizable and can also be used to teach sight words, shapes, numbers, letters, etc.  This app will help the teacher and student communicate with each other.

iTouchilearn Words is another free app that introduces spelling, pronuciation, and sight words.  It is colorful, animated, and appealing to children with Autism.  I think this app would be good for a change in pace to introduce reading and words.  There are virtual rewards when the child gets the words correct.  The app is simple and easy to use and navigate.

TPACK Process

When told we had to think of a lesson plan with technology integrated into it using the TPACK Matrix, I didn't know where to start.  I went to the Iowa Core to browse the standards to see if anything caught my eye.  Reading was always my favorite subject in school, so I decided to look at those standards first since my specialization is Special Education.  I looked at the standards for Kindergarten, and one standard really jumped out at me.  I chose the standard RL.K.2: With prompting and support, students will retell familiar stories, including key details.  I thought about what stories have students heard many times and would be easy to retell.  The two stories that I thought of were Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The students could choose which story they wanted to retell.  Kindergartners need a lot of assistance with writing and spelling words so what better way to show that they can retell the story than by using their voice?  I found a great iPad app that allows students to scan in pictures and use their voice to make a book called Book Creator.  The students can draw their pictures of the story, I can scan them in, and then the student will retell the story using their voice.  Every story will be different, even though they are retelling the same story, which will show individualism and creativity.

I looked at the Technology Integration Assessment Rubric, and I gave my technology integration a 4. I gave it a 4 because it optimally supports the literacy standard. I think that it all fits together well and will help the student. The student will be working with an iPad, speaking, drawing, creativity, retention of information, and retelling of a story. Plus, I think it will be a fun activity!

I also looked at the Level of Technology Integration Matrix from Florida. I gave this lesson level 2 because it is an easy integration. I am choosing the tool for the students to use. This technology integration is used to enhance the lesson, and also build knowledge and experience of technology for the student. Since the age I am teaching this lesson to is Kindergarten, it is okay that the level is low. The students may not have much background in technology, so it is my job to start off easy and then work their ways up the matrix.