Teacher+Reflections

=Teacher Reflections=

__An Interview with a KDG Teacher After 10 Weeks of Use__

 * Could you describe the benefits of having iPads in a KDG class?

Daily use of technology linked to curriculum, so it became a tool and part of the day. There was no technology center, it was literacy, math with the use of iPads. Motivation aspect was huge i.e. students were motivated to work on a skill independently e.g. sight words. Going over sight words using another method would be a struggle and students would not get immediate feedback unlike on an iPad. They allowed for developing problem solving skills independently. In a center students would ask each other and they had to follow multiple steps independently. This goes back to motivation. The longer students had exposure to the devices, the more independent and motivated they were, so it was not the cool factor or novelty.

All in all, these devices are great for skill development.


 * How were they used?

Most of the time used as a center with each student having his/her own device. Also used during independent reading, in a partner situation (splitter used for this). Partners would agree on a book and shared the interactive aspect (collaboration). Dr Seuss were most popular. Doodlebuddy was used for drawing.

They were also used to differentiate. Used on an individual basis with students who were either behind or needed to be challenged (for extending and modifying). iTalk was used to record a child’s reading and self-assessment (feedback to yourself). To do this, an additional iPad would be helpful.


 * How do they compare to computers? If you had a choice of having 5 iPads or 5 laptops, which option would you choose and why?

The first choice would be a SB because it’s easier to manage and it has the kinesthetic aspect. Besides, it could be used throughout the day, both as a teaching and a learning tool. iPads are much more manageable in a KDG class than computers. Kids were independent faster and were more likely to problem solve on their own. They are more interactive, easier to manipulate, faster to use (no lag time), more direct vs. using a mouse. For skill development there are more apps, not to mention that you have control over what you install.


 * In your opinion, how many iPads should each KDG class have (in an ideal world)?

6 would be ideal, as 5 would be in a center and 1 for DI or one for demo with a projector.


 * Do you think that these devices could be shared amongst a few classes?

With careful planning they could be shared with similar grades. 2 to 3 classes could share, but with various grades the challenge would be the number of apps needed.


 * Would you say that iPads could be used by teachers who describe themselves as not tech savvy?

iPads are easy to use, but you have to be a problem solver and take time to “play” with the device. This is particularly true with apps because you don’t get tutorials with them. They are still easier to learn than computers.


 * Were there any apps that you found particularly helpful to your students?

There were many that were used for different reasons e.g. Alphabet Freeze Doodlebuddy SightWords (touch) Dr Seuss books MonkeyMath Puzzle apps in general 123 Dominoes Any type of manipulation app
 * Were there any challenges or disadvantages of having iPads in your class?

Initially it was a challenge to manage the class. It requires that a teacher be organized. Storage and charging were challenging. Where should they be locked? Should they be taken home?Even if a teacher locks a room, she comes back and the door is open. Ideally you want a locking cupboard. Charging would have to be done in the classroom while a teacher is there, but the devices are not being used. They don’t need to be charged every day.

__Feedback from a Grade 2/3 Teacher After 2 Weeks of Use__
I have a grade 2/3 class and have had 5 iPads in my class for two weeks now and I cannot stress enough how excited my students are to be using these devices every day. For these two weeks we have mostly been using the iPads as consumers, eg. listening to stories, etc, and generally navigating our way through the various apps. The students enjoy their individual time on the devices, but they also very much enjoy working with partners. This week I have incorporated the iPads in my language centers and this has worked extremely well. Now that the students are very familiar with the devices, I am excited to start using the iPads in more of a create mode. I think we will start with creating various writing projects supported by the drawing and camera functions. I see great potential for the use of i-pads in a primary classroom, and was just overwhelmed by how quickly they learned!!

** __Feedback from a Grade 2/3 Teacher After 2 Months of Use__ **
We have now had the iPads for two months and the students' interest in them has not waned. In fact, it has grown with each new app that they learn to use. We have completed various literacy based projects which I will explain below:

Story Patch - Using this app students worked in pairs. They took pictures of each other and with each of their pictures they wrote an accompanying Cinquain Poem, following the given structure of the poem. This was a highly engaging activity and the students got really creative, adding backgrounds and graphics as well as the photo to support their poem. This is a great app to support our writing program.

Sock Puppets - We used this app to record interviews with a partner about the benefits of Urban vs Rural living (Social Studies). Students wrote their interviews first and practiced staying under the 90 sec. allotment. Students enjoyed changing the pitch of their voices so that they sounded virtually unrecognizable. This was a very exciting, high interest activity and a great culminating task for this unit.

Scribble Press - This app provides the structure for a variety of stories and students have to fill in the blanks (sort of like a mad lib). Then they have to create a picture using photos, graphics, backgrounds, and/or hand drawn pics using the draw too. The possibilities are endless and the students got very creative.

Story Wheel - With this app students spin a wheel to create and record stories that build on pictures that they spin. The students worked in pairs and built the story taking turns to spin the wheel. I used this as a prelude to a writing activity that we will do in class. The genre we used was Princesses and Knights, however, there are various genres that you can select from. Next we will write our own stories and create a class storybook.

In addition to the above, students enjoy daily practice with math apps, reading and listening to various stories, playing with a good variety of games, and much, much more. Having these iPads in my classroom has been an invaluable teaching tool that we use on a daily basis. Incorporating them into my language centers has been extremely useful!! It will definitely be a sad day for myself and the class to say goodbye to the iPads.