In his book Start with Why and the accompanying TED talk, author Simon Sinek claims that we're all very clear about “what” we do. In fact, you often define… (Asking "why" you want iPads is a critical question...
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A resource for educators interested in improving literacy through the iPad and apps
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By Ferris Jabr
"How exactly does the technology we use to read change the way we read? How reading on screens differs from reading on paper is relevant not just to the youngest among us, but to just about everyone who reads—to anyone who routinely switches between working long hours in front of a computer at the office and leisurely reading paper magazines and books at home; to people who have embraced e-readers for their convenience and portability, but admit that for some reason they still prefer reading on paper; and to those who have already vowed to forgo tree pulp entirely. As digital texts and technologies become more prevalent, we gain new and more mobile ways of reading—but are we still reading as attentively and thoroughly? How do our brains respond differently to onscreen text than to words on paper? Should we be worried about dividing our attention between pixels and ink or is the validity of such concerns paper-thin?" Via Jim Lerman
Jim Harmon's insight:
Always at the back of my mind as an ELA teacher. I also wonder if electronic texts will decrease aliteracy rates. 
Gordon Shupe's curator insight,
April 17, 10:17 AM
I will admit it, I have yet to read an entire novel or non-fiction book (of over a 100 pages) on an electronic device. But that is partly because I don't typically read novels and the non-fiction topics that I am interested in are not yet available in electronic form.
But I have read (and do read) comprehend and 'know' a small library's worth of information over the last few years in smaller chunks from the screen of my various devices.
I agree with the research and acknowledge the continued need for printed reading skills and materials. But I would also point out that these two formats should not be mutually exclusive, but rather are complimentary.
Reading, managing, recalling, citing, validating digital text is quite different from printed text. It may be that printed text is preferable given a certain history/experience/purpose/ or skill set. But there are just as many advantages to electronic texts, and maybe we need to address them as two different important literacies as educators.
It reminded me of comments I made when the iPad first came out: http://www.shupester.com/files/iPadDifferent.php iOS / iPad not 'better' but 'good different'?
Gordon Shupe's curator insight,
April 17, 10:19 AM
I will admit it, I have yet to read an entire novel or non-fiction book (of over a 100 pages) on an electronic device. But that is partly because I don't typically read novels and the non-fiction topics that I am interested in are not yet available in electronic form. But I have read (and do read) comprehend and 'know' a small library's worth of information over the last few years in smaller chunks from the screen of my various devices. I agree with the research and acknowledge the continued need for printed reading skills and materials. But I would also point out that these two formats should not be mutually exclusive, but rather are complimentary. Reading, managing, recalling, citing, validating digital text is quite different from printed text. It may be that printed text is preferable given a certain history/experience/purpose/ or skill set. But there are just as many advantages to electronic texts, and maybe we need to address them as two different important literacies as educators. It reminded me of comments I made when the iPad first came out: http://www.shupester.com/files/iPadDifferent.php iOS / iPad not 'better' but 'good different'?
Pam Colburn Harland's curator insight,
April 28, 7:57 AM
I loved the part about mind mapping and the meta-cognitive things we do before we start reading. Great article with research-based facts. Delete the scoop?
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Most writers are easily distracted; trying out just one more app often sounds better than slogging through your manuscript. Via Tom D'Amico (@TDOttawa) 
Paula Jamieson's curator insight,
May 15, 12:51 AM
It's like being back in the classroom. This afternoon I have discovered this interesting article........after taking a workshop on 'iPads to support Writing' this morning. Typical. There are a couple here I haven't used or explored. I find that articles like this often trigger my thinking back to "I use to use that" or "That's right I downloaded that but didn't have a purpose at the time......".
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Must-have teacher apps for smartphones and tablets. Delete the scoop?
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iPads – A Tool, Not Alchemy, for Education. by Björn Jeffery April 25, 2013. toca boca. Photo Courtesy of Toca Boca. The topic of kids and technology is a hot topic again. This would normally be a good thing, if the questions that are being ... Delete the scoop?
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At under $300 a device, Chromebooks are an attractive alternative to pricier laptops and tablets. Learn everything you need to know about deploying them from two districts who have taken the plunge.
Jim Harmon's insight:
Some great insight if you are considering a 1:1 or modified 1:1. Delete the scoop?
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iBooks Author is a fantastic way to get students involved in their own learning. If you're dedicated to providing engaging lessons for your students then creating interactive textbooks needs to go ... Via Felix Jacomino
Jim Harmon's insight:
What I believe will likely develop into a potential strength for the iPad and Apple. 
Chris Carter's curator insight,
April 23, 9:29 PM
If you have ever taught IB, or if you innovate to the point that textbooks lose their significance, then this article is for you. BTW, LiveBinders is a great choice for collecting resources into easily used units 
Ruth Eckenstein's curator insight,
May 8, 4:43 PM
Have students do reflection and journal as they advance in the nursing program. This insight can be a honest look at strengths and weaknesses. Delete the scoop?
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Hannach Rupprecht will be one of almost 130 seventh-graders who will carry an iPad to school every day next year at Westminster Christian Academy. Delete the scoop?
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By Kati Lapi
"Getting younger students to tell stories can promote a variety of different language arts skills in a way that is a lot more fun than doing grammar drills. From learning the parts of speech and sentence and paragraph structure to vocabulary, there is a lot of hidden teaching material in storytelling, which interactive storytelling apps can enhance. Since we all know that kids LOVE to tell stories (check out this blog post by a teacher who had to limit how many stories each student could tell per day), there is a lot of potential in this activity. Bringing in digital tools can make the process even more robust. Check out the web tools and apps that we’ve explored below for a few options that might be useful in your classroom." Via Jim Lerman
Jim Harmon's insight:
And this holds true for struggling readers below grade level... 
Sarah McElrath's curator insight,
April 11, 4:12 PM
The importance of learning good storytelling--whether in digital form or otherwise--is a building block to all people. Love that this urges starting young. Delete the scoop?
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Get Robots for iPad on the App Store. See screenshots and ratings, and read customer reviews. Via Gordon Shupe
Jim Harmon's insight:
FREE THIS WEEK! (And free is in the budget!)
Gordon Shupe's curator insight,
April 10, 4:13 PM
Great STEM or STEAM resource! IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) is sponsoring the Robots app from 6-14 April in celebration of National Robotics Week in the U.S. Get it free now! Delete the scoop?
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Get Phonics and Reading With McGuffey on the App Store. See screenshots and ratings, and read customer reviews.
Jim Harmon's insight:
This app is highly rated, especially for students with cognitive learning disabilities. It is normall $20, but is free for a limited time. Delete the scoop?
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Teacher Neil Virani was fed up with the sad reality special education students faced and began to change his student’s lives with technology.
Jim Harmon's insight:
Great to see more teacher research validating what I already know: in the hands of a competent pedagogue, solid on their content, iPads make a tremendous difference for all learners by differentiating instruction. Delete the scoop?
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As more schools integrate digital games into learning, programs are evolving to turn students into video-game designers.
Jim Harmon's insight:
Pesented by one of my students in class at Baldwin-Wallace College, one school's concept of challenge based learning. Delete the scoop?
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Textbooks aren't available for e-readers, and the children's literature that is available generally can't be searched by reading level.
Jim Harmon's insight:
This is concerning, but I don't advocate for full-on integration in reading. I believe balance between digital and analog texts serves all of our students well.
Gordon Shupe's curator insight,
February 13, 8:09 AM
As much as I love my Bible Apps and News Aggregators and I am ready to recite the values of eBooks, I think there are many arguments supporting physical book reading. I feel some of the same regret when I reflected on trying to teach keyboarding using computers rather than using typewriters. But that ship sailed a long time ago, and keyboarding is disappearing skill. One could even argue keyboarding is becoming less necessary with Natural Language User Interfaces that are becoming more prevalent. 
Larry Anderson's comment,
February 14, 9:28 AM
Call me Olde School; however, I think there is significant merit in retaining the "hard copy" element to reading. Yes, I read several documents and periodicals electronically. And, it is very handy to have those in electronic form so I may pass them on easily to someone out of my normal, physical reach--or to store in the cloud so I may access them regardless of my physical location. But....there just is hardly anything to compare with sitting and flipping through the pages of a physical book or magazine, especially when pondering the many others who might have flipped those same pages. It's almost like walking up the steps to the U.S. Capitol and pondering the thousands, yea millions, of people who have strode those same spaces--causing the concrete to become misshapen from all that traffic. For me, it's not an "either-or" decision. We should allow (not through intimidating indoctrination) our young learners to experience the joys inherent with both mediums.
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Preview and download the course iTunes U: A Course Creation Guide for Educators on iTunes U. (RT @sjunkins: An iTunes U Course on How to Create an iTunes U Course from the brilliant mind of @TresslerTech. Via Jon Samuelson 
John Pearce's curator insight,
May 17, 1:08 AM
Excellent, this looks to be really useful and quite timely. Delete the scoop?
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When you think about integrating an iPad in schools, what is the goal? Patrick Larkin recalls his 1:1 integration and if he might do things differently now.
Jim Harmon's insight:
Before you jump to conclusion, this article details, more about why teachers need to change the way we teach, because students have ALREADY changed the way they learn. Delete the scoop?
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Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction. -Lewis Carroll I know there are a million jokes about a certain gender *ahem* not wanting to stop and ask directions. ... Via John Evans 
Kasey Rasmussen's curator insight,
April 26, 9:26 AM
I am going to do this for my two boys, 7 and 10 yrs, for my sanity and theirs for their morning routine! It's a win win... they get to use their iTouch in the morning and I won't be pulling my hair out tell them the same things I tell them every morning! :) Delete the scoop?
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Are you and your students really getting the most out of the iPad? FETC speaker Luis Perez lists 12 little-known tips, tricks, and settings to supercharge your iPad use.
Jim Harmon's insight:
Apple Distinguished Educator Dr. Luis Perez shares these excellent and effective tips for iPad use in the classroom. Thank you Luis! 
Bill Campbell's curator insight,
April 24, 10:46 AM
I would classify some of the suggetions here as intermediate (as opposed to advanced), but it is a useful list. Delete the scoop?
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Hey, teacher! Got an iPad? Then you've got a toolbox that you can fill to help you be an even better teacher! Spend some time with this infographic to discover how your iPad can be your handy assistant. Via Mr. Deniston
Jim Harmon's insight:
Yes, indeed. Delete the scoop?
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Boston, MA (PRWEB) April 18, 2013 Collaboratively produced, an iPad writing app dubbed ‘Outline Pro’ by creators Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart and IT Launchpad, lets writers create detailed outlines and makes it easy to organize their...
Jim Harmon's insight:
Another tool for the iPad that improves the writing ability of students. More data continues to be shared on best practices with the device. 
Doug Joubert's curator insight,
April 19, 11:25 AM
I am recommending to our teachers that they experiment with this during the next school year. Delete the scoop?
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By Katie Lapi
"For anyone who has ever had to write a paper, you know that getting the ideas down when they come to you is important. And for those of us who are (ahem) procrastinators (*looks away innocently*) getting the ideas down and the writing done when you’re inspired is key. For those of us who were educated in the dark ages before smartphones and tablets, if you wanted to write on the go you were pretty much out of luck. Now, there are a host of options for organizing your writing and writing on the go with different apps and web tools. Take a look at some of the various writing apps for students below:" Via Jim Lerman
Jim Harmon's insight:
I am among the procratinators, which makes it dubious when teaching students how to stay focused and on task with writing. A list worth eyeballing. Delete the scoop?
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Nine universities are testing technology that allows them to track their students’ progress with digital textbooks.
Jim Harmon's insight:
While I've enjoyed the features that apps like SubText has in assessing student reading ability, I can appreciate how technology can be a valuable tool for assessing all student learning, not just in literacy/ELA. Case in point. Delete the scoop?
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Jim Harmon's insight:
Always looking for good data analysis of iPad's impact on student achievement! Delete the scoop?
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Ever since I was a kid, I loathed back to school commercials. They always showed parents gleefully skipping through aisles of pencils and notebooks as the kids, sullen and dejected, sluggishly follow
Jim Harmon's insight:
I would add the app Subtext to this list. Amazing common core applications for information text acorss the content areas. Delete the scoop?
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If you use rubrics to grade student work you have to try ForAllRubrics! Once you set up your class list, this website allows users to import rubrics they’ve already made, or easily create new ones. Open the site on your iPad and with a few taps you’ll have projects graded in no time. It’s easy to access previous grades, print out data, and it’s free for teachers!
Jim Harmon's insight:
Literacy involves considering multiple literacies as an approach for students to share their knowledge. Naturally, these supplemental projects involve criteria best observed/assessed on a rubric. 
Jim Harmon's comment,
February 13, 12:56 PM
In looking more closely at this resource, I am sorry to report that you must enter student info manually, one at a time. There seems to be no import feature. In my mind, this is a deal breaker!
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