AppoLearning

When I started this journey into apps I was (and still get) overwhelmed with the sheer magnitutde of apps.  I have started (and abandoned) dozens of lists.  Then I discovered AppoLearning. Within a half hour I had created own vetted lists and a streamlined way to research other apps as well as web resources with automatic links to the app on the iTune App Store.


Appolicious offers teachers two streamlined options:

1. Online search engine (AppoLeaning.com)
2. AppoLearning app (Free for the time being, later it will be a paid app)

AppoLearning.com provides users with search options to locate vetted apps for specific grade, content and various platforms.  Apps are rated by teacher experts and there are links to the iTune store. If you are in a state that has adopted Common Core you can even search for apps based on the various Common Core standards.

AppoLearning app allows you to search for apps and also has a Community Picks area where you can create your own lists and view other teachers lists.  Currently the app is free, but in the future it will be a paid app.  I have two lists in the Community Picks - Student Apps  Elementary K-2 and a Worker Smarter Apps for Teachers.

Head over and start simplifying your app life!

Stayed tuned...preview posts

I'm back to blogging...here are some post previews that I will be sharing soon!

• HappyNumbers.com: Web-based math resource  (wonderful alternative to the expensive Dreambox offering)
• Seesaw Learning Journals - simply stated AMAZING!
• Froylc Activity Center
• Book Creator:  Publishing in Kindergarten
• Kahoot!  Assessment that is FUN and easy (for both student and teacher)
• The Math Learning Center:  A suite of 6 math apps that are free and AMAZING
• Teach Me Series of apps (K, First, Second)
• Raz-Kids update (how is this going with 1:1 iPads - does it make a difference?)
• PicCollage
• Feltboard

iPad Student Homepage -

Tap on the image below to connect to a YouTube video explaining how I set up the homepage on the student's iPads.

Including Parents - Videos and Social Stories

Including parents...

During our Parent Information Night/Curriculum and Class Sneak Peek I asked the parents to record a short video greeting for their children.  The parents were a bit skidish at first, much more hesitant than their children.  Its amazing how the children have little inhibition and dive into this technology like fish to water.

The following day the children were delighted to see and hear their parents videos of encouragment and love.  

Having their parents digitally with them during those first few weeks was comforting and fun for most the children and they played them over and over.  We will leave it them on for as long as possible.

I am thinking this would be an effective tool for those children who need social story support - to record video of the social story that they can then replay.  Or words of support, encouragement, directions for challenging social situations.

Baby Steps

Baby Steps (aka Gradual Release)

First lessons ... Home Button and Smile!

It was like Christmas in September as we unpacked and handed out the iPads to the students.  I was impressed by how the children were so respectful of the device and how thrilled for this 1:1 opportunity (okay, my excitement may have been a bit contagious).

In my mind, I anticipated I would need all sort of guidelines and contracts, etc., but reality has shown me that the consequence of losing ones' privilege was (and continues to be) the only and most powerful motivation for proper use of the iPad.

The lesson looked something like this:

iPads Arrive and Setup

Feels like we were given a gift as the cart filled with 24 iPad minis arrived today.

Cart: Anthro

Highlights:

• Small Footprint, no time in setup (Thanks NSD Tech Team)
• Nice long electric cord with place to wrap any extra cord
• Door swings around to the side of cart so it is not obstructive
• Plenty of slots that are wide and tall enough to comfortably fit iPad with cover
• Rollers and locks - easy to move around room

Lowlights:

• Opens only from one side
• No way to remove a group at a time, slows down collection and cleanup
• Slots are not numbered*



Labeled but not permanent

• Lock is tight fit, can be a challenge to work open

*Workaround - I used electrical tape and markers and labeled the slots

Cases:

Highlight:

• Seem durable
• Clean looking
• Sleek
• Tight fitting

Lowlight

• Bulky tabs covering outlets, volume, ear phone jacks, camera, home button, on/off/sleep button
• Screen cover is thick and forces user to try a couple of times to launch apps and on some it is very challenging to launch Airdrop from a bottom swipe aspect due to the case getting in the way.  This slows down productivity as students get frustrated and I have to intervene and support.
• Flap for camera too difficult to work for Kindergartners -we removed them.
• Overall not a friendly case for young users

iPads: 24 ipad mini's with cases

Highlights:

• THEY ARE iPADS (okay I am biased)
• iPad minis preconfigured with standard default apps
• Covers are industrial strength and fit snugly
• iPads and covers fit easily in cart

Lowlights:

• First one out of the slot I tried to find the camera and POP off came the flap that covered the lens and it was TOUGH to access. First question:  "Can I remove them?"  YES!
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Going 1:1 iPads in September 2014

There is an exciting change  for my Kindergarten instruction - we will be piloting 1:1 iPads.

Vision:  Enhance and enrich instruction and application of knowledge with use of  mobile apps and internet resources.  Redefine ways student receive and apply knowledge by providing technology resources.  The focus will be on using apps that are CREATION based, i.e., presentation, video, collaboration whiteboard rather than CONTENT based apps that provide a game style practice of knowledge.

Goal:  All students will meet or exceed CCSS grade level expectations.

Measure: We will know this was successful based on summative and  formative assessments.  We will also compare sample of work created with use of technology modalities vs. samples  of student's work from year prior when the use of this technology was not available.

Hardware Configuration

24 iPad minis with covers
1 iPad Air with cover for teacher
1 Anthro. Synching and Charging cart
1Apple TV setup for projecting teacher student iPad interaction
Reflection (on Mac laptop)

Apps (Creation):

• iPad camera (photos and video creation)
• 30 Hands presentation (create video presentations)
• StoryKit (create book style journals with photos, drawing, text)
• Book Creator (create journals in writing, math, science, social studies)
• Smartboard whiteboard app (collaborative whiteboard)
• Talkboard (collaborative whiteboard)
• EduCreation (recording whiteboard)
• MoMA (create illustrations)
• Tiny PDF (annotate PDF files and use as modified Activboard)
• Suite of math manipulative tools (use to solve and show math thinking)

1. Geoboard
2. Number Pieces
3. Number Line
4. Number Rack

• QR Reader and Creator (used to view screencast directions for independent work, used for self correction of work during independent work time)

Apps (Content) 

• Raz-Kids (online ebooks and quizzes with extensive on-demand reporting)
• Writing Wizard (letter formation practice)
• Montessori Wizard: word work practice with use of magnetic letters
• ABC Ninja
• 123 Ninja
• Teach Me Kindergarten:suite of Flashcards practice in reading, word work, sight words and math
• Learning websites: use HANDY WEBSITE LINKS on class website to listen to stories, practice reading, word work, math and science i.e., Starfall, ABCYa.com, Happy Numbers, FOSS Science Weather, Wood and Paper and Animals 2x2
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