BYOD and iPad apps for student iPads

Because we feel that it is important to teach digital safety and citizenship, respect and responsibility for their devices and how to use a personalized device for learning, Ms. Glups and I will be offering the opportunity for students to bring their own devices to school.

After the winter break we will be moving toward a "BYOD" or "bring your own device" model in our classroom.  The devices are to be used for class work and will be put away in the cupboard when they are not being used.  Any student who wishes to bring their own device must have a signed permission form on file.  All students have access to school ipads for their work and are not required to bring their own device.  The advantage for a student to bring a device they already use at home is that they can save their project work to their device and personalize the log-ins for various apps.

Devices are not allowed to be used during recess or lunch (not only for the security of the devices, but so that students are free to run and explore the outdoors during their breaks.)  As stated in our BYOD permission form, we cannot be responsible for the devices, however we will do everything in our power to keep the devices safe by reminding students to store their devices in the locked cupboard when not in use and reminding students to put their device in their backpack at the end of the day.  It is highly recommended that students have a sturdy case on the device.

The next question is..."What apps should my child have on his/her device?"

The following is a list of apps that we use at school to learn new concepts, develop our inquiry skills, practice concepts and demonstrate our learning.  I have tried to keep the list to a minimum... :)
The following apps are for the ipad.  If you open this blog on your ipad, the links will take you to the app in the app store.  Android has the same apps available at the google play store, searchable by name.  (Android tablets are also welcome in our classroom)

A web shortcut is different than an app, but can be made to look like an app on the ipad.  To make a website link "shortcut app":

1.  Search for a website in Safari
2.  Touch the arrow to the left of the website address at the top of the homescreen
3.  Touch the icon, "Add to home screen"
4.  Touch "Add"
and Shazam!  the icon for the website is now on your iPad home screen :)

Inquiry: (Content)
-Wonderopolis.org *web shortcut http://wonderopolis.org/
-Word Collage ($0.99) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/word-collage/id527057508?mt=8


Practice:
-IXL.com *web shortcut http://ca.ixl.com/
-Tumblebooks.com *web shortcut http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/customer_login.asp
-Spelling City(free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/spellingcity/id538407602?mt=8
-Raz-Kids (free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/raz-kids/id474207297?mt=8


Show what you know: (Creation)
-Canva (Free) https://itunes.apple.com/app/id897446215
-iMovie (Free on new iPads, $4.99 otherwise) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/imovie/id377298193?mt=8
-Book Creator ($4.99) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/book-creator-for-ipad-create/id442378070?mt=8
-Prezi (free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/prezi/id407759942?mt=8
-Kidblog (free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/kidblog/id565951433?mt=8
-ShowMe (free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8
-Explain Everything ($2.99) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/explain-everything/id431493086?mt=8
-Art Set ($1.99) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/art-set/id469918702?mt=8
-Skitch (Free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/skitch-snap.-mark-up.-send./id490505997?mt=8


Workflow: (Communication)
-Dropbox (free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/dropbox/id327630330?mt=8
-Evernote (free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/evernote/id281796108?mt=8
-Flick. (free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/flick./id644265534?mt=8
-iPEVO Whiteboard (free) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ipevo-whiteboard/id594766738?mt=8

There are lots of apps that the students are enjoying for concept practice like math and science.  If you are looking for a specific app to support a content area (like times-tables in math) please drop by and I can recommend a few.  Buying a lot of different apps is not only expensive, it is sometimes overwhelming for the child.  Occasionally, I may recommend an app which I will send via email or a blog post.  I will not ask a child to load an app on their device at school, and recommend you keep your child's iTunes account and password as a parent only system at this age.  If you have any questions about parent restrictions that can be applied to the ipad, I'm happy to chat about your specific requirements and make recommendations.

Please feel free to drop by with any questions you may have about device use in our classroom and I would be happy to trouble shoot and help in any way I can.

Happy apping!

Diana

Cain's Arcade Cardboard Challenge-Holiday Edition

It's been a busy final week in room 123!  In addition to the many holiday events and our live chat with our Classroom Champions mentors (which I will blog about over the break) we had one particularly inspiring lesson...

On Thursday Anna brought in her cardboard arcade game to share with the class:

The cardboard arcade game was inspired by Caine, a young man from Los Angeles who built a cardboard arcade in his dad's auto supply shop.  This video tells his story:

We decided as a class that it would be fun to try to make our own cardboard arcade games if we had free time over the holidays.  This is an optional project-we understand that the break is a very busy time for families.  We will spend some time on Monday, January 5th (our first day back together) sharing our games.

This project helps students to develop creativity, problem solving, and artistic/presentation skills (to name a few).  These are the 21st century skills that are becoming essential in the new job market that is rapidly changing with automation and outsourcing.  By the time our class graduates and enters the work force, the skills students will need to get a high paying job will be much more than what we can teach from a textbook or worksheet.  Ms. Grewal Glups and I hope to ignite a passion for curiosity and inquiry this year-and this project is a great opportunity to explore these big ideas.

For more thoughts on innovation and 21st Century competencies, Sir Ken Robinson is a great place to start.  He has several TedTalks and a very cool RSA Animate if you google him and click on "videos".  He has a bit of a cameo appearance at 4:40 in this Caine video:

 I'm looking forward to students "thinking outside the box" (if you will forgive the pun...) and sharing what they designed when we return after the break...and hopefully it will give mom and dad some quiet time over the break while the kids are working on their projects too :)

Wishing everyone a restful, creative holiday!

Diana