Tool 9: Incorporating Classroom-Based Devices as Tools for Learning

Technology is just like everything else we plan to teach. We have to have an objective when teaching language, math, science, and social studies. The iPod Touch is just as important. If teachers are going to spend the time in researching the apps and websites then it needs to be meaningful to the students and not just wasting their time.

Holding kids accountable in centers is important because play is a child's work and that there is something truly legitimate in allowing children time to make their own choices, discover new things and construct their own learning. I think these new technologies will be the same way...so we need to offer some choices with guidance and see their progress throughout the year. For instance, some of the apps are truly just for entertainment while others offer more substance. So just which apps we put on the devices is one way to make sure they are doing something more educational.

Tutpup was a neat website. I played the math games and it allows you to choose from a variety of levels. It would be great for some students that needed a challenge. Students could record on paper some of the problems they answered (they may need to do this with a buddy as the math problems are timed) for accountability. Learning Games for Kids offered lots of different games in a wide variety of subject areas. These sites aren't like Starfall which is easy for a child to use independently. I can see this happening in small groups or a whole class if you could project the app somehow. One thing that will be important is to thoroughly introduce the children to these sites and make some kind of chart so that they will know which games and what levels are appropriate for them.

I can see those using apps like ABC Phonics, ABC Tracer, ABC Lite and Dr. Seuss’s ABC in small group for phonics and word warm up. Children are used to interacting with technology at home and they would be eager to practice these skills with the iPod Touches. The accountability in this would be discussion, interaction such as tracing a letter correctly and the app signals if it is correct or needs to be repeated, and if students work in pairs collaboratively they would check each other for accountability and staying on task.

Students could easily use the iPod Touch in small group/stations/centers. The first thing to accomplish with students would be device etiquette and application. This isn't a onetime lesson but I know that many children 'catch on' quickly to technology. I would use gradual release as I observe mastery of the iPod Touch. It would also be easy to see which children are 'experts' that could help mentor, teach, and help in general in the classroom.