Pedagogy ~ Best Practice

“The iPad is just a device and without an informed educator

it will be ineffective as a learning tool.”

Thoughts about iPads:

An iPad is a new device that does new things; it's not a mini desktop computer. It is important for us to think about what an iPad does WELL, and leverage this in the classroom.
It is important that the use of iPads supports learning and is well aligned with our pedagogical goals and beliefs. We want to provide opportunities for our students to use iPads to innovate, create and communicate.
iPads and other mobile technology allow for anywhere, anytime learning.
Because mobile devices are more accessible in a classroom, they have the potential to support our learning in much more valuable and authentic ways than desktop computers have been able to.
An iPad can transform your classroom and open it up to the world! It extends community and broadens our boundaries, and connects students with a wealth of knowledge.
iPads are easily shared ~ a few iPads in a classroom encourages collaboration and is the preferred model. Keeping 20 together in a 'portable lab' promotes the old idea of technology being a 'separate event' to the learning happening in the classroom.

An iPad is a very powerful device when used:

to access information
as a communication tool (blogs, wikis, TodaysMeet)
as a collaboration tool (Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Padlet) - brainstorming, peer-editing
as a creation tool (Educreations, iMovie, ComicLife) - leverages the camera

“First and foremost, the iPad is simply a tool - it is not the magical, shiny, object

that will innovate education. The power of the tool lays in its users,

and, in education, the teachers.

Pedagogy comes first, iPads follow.”

~ Jennifer Carey

Using iPads with Students

Before using iPads with students, it is important to talk about care, safety, and digital citizenship.
iPads can be very effectively used in a variety of configurations - it is not necessary to have 1:1. One iPad shared among a grouping of students will give students access to the web for information, to add a comment to an online discussion, to complete a learning task in a new way - you'll be amazed at how your students will adapt to this change and will start to suggest ways that the iPad can be used and that their learning can be demonstrated - "Let's look it up!", "Let's ask the world!", "Let me find a picture!", "Let's share this on our website, blog, or on Twitter!"
Once your students become familiar with the iPad, it's important to provide opportunities for them to make their own decisions about what tools of those available to them will be most appropriate to demonstrate their learning.
e.g.
- Communicate what you have learned about . . .
- Record your observations of . . .
- Explain the strategy you used to solve . . .
- Create a diagram, picture, slideshow, movie to . . .
- Share the results of an inquiry.

The more you and your students use iPads, the more ways you'll find to use them!

How many iPads do I need in my classroom?

iPads are easily shared and can be very effectively used in small table groups.
A few iPads in a classroom encourages purposeful conversation, collaboration, and communication.
One iPad shared among a grouping of students will give students access to information (anywhere, anytime learning) and the option of completing learning tasks in new ways.
You'll be amazed at how your students will adapt to this change and will start to suggest ways that the iPad can be used and their learning can be demonstrated. "Let's look it up!", "Let's ask the world!", ""Let me find a picture!", "Let's share this on our website, blog, or on Twitter!" may be their suggestions.
Consider a sign-out chart or book in a central location or classroom . . . or you might consider trying an online system for signing out, e.g. Google Docs.

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