iPads in Education

A new study shows that students who use iPads in the classroom score better in literacy tests than those who don’t.

"Apple is profiling a southwest regional law firm, Fennemore Craig, in an effort to demonstrate how the iPad can change the way a client-based business runs."

"I was recently asked to lead a professional development session for a school that is starting to roll out iOS devices for teachers and students. The focus of my session was iOS Apps for professional development. I scrolled through my iPad and made a list of the Apps that I use on a regular basis to help me learn and develop as an educator. Here’s what I came up with:"

OnLive Desktop for the iPad brings a full Windows 7 desktop, complete with Microsoft Office, for free.

"Plenty of apps give you stripped-down versions of Office on the iPad. But OnLive Desktop gives you the complete Windows Office suite. In Word, you can do fancy stuff like tracking changes and high-end typography. In PowerPoint, you can make slide shows that the iPad projects with all of the cross fades, zooms and animations intact."

"When Explore Knowledge Academy has its grand opening celebration in March, it will become the first iSchool in Nevada, with a 1-to-1 ratio of iPad tablets to students. Here are the 10 iPad applications used by educators at the public charter school and recommended for other schools and families with iPads."

"A dozen Las Vegas second-graders were given a common English assignment one recent morning: Write a story using new vocabulary words. But instead of picking up a pencil and paper, these students launched the Pages word processing application on their iPads and started tapping."

"The uproar over the lack of a privacy policy when it comes to apps spurred Apple into action, and the company implemented a change that requires apps using address book data to require explicit user permission. Furthermore, Apple and other app stores have collectively agreed to disclose the privacy policies of apps in the App Store before a user purchases or downloads an app."

Are you teaching the names for parts of the body in English? Or are your students learning about the body? Here are some ideas for teaching about the human body using apps and mobile devices.

"Scribble Press is an amazing app that lets you be the author and illustrator as you create your own books. This is one cool tool! Kids can use their imaginations while writing, illustrating, and publishing an ibook, which can then be shared. Wait, it’s get better. This app is not only FREE, it is phenomenal! There are three parts: My Books, My Drawings and Gallery."