Getting Apps With the Features You Need (and don't be afraid to ask)

Feb 3, 2012 In my last blog post, I described how we are using iPods for basic facts practice at Butler School. How do we do it? We start out by looking at quarterly basic facts data. Students who are listed as "at risk" are those we target for additional facts practice on the iPods. Since the beginning of the year we have used FlashtoPass by Scybot Technologies, and have gotten positive results. We have had a small problem with some students though. READ MORE

Using iPods for Basic Facts Practice

Oct 15, 2011 A change of positions has given me the opportunity to use iPods/iPads in other classrooms this year. One of the ways I have been able to use them is with basic facts practice. In the 5th grade classroom that I push into, the teacher I work with has 5-10 minutes a day in her schedule for basic facts practice. In a 5th grade classroom, this means multiplication and division facts. As with most classrooms, facts practice means using flash cards to commit them to memory. READ MORE

Fantastic Ideas From Slater Software

Oct 5, 2011 Slater Software, maker of PixWriter has some great ideas on using rebus picture programs, PDF files, iBooks and iPads to make social stories and just-right books for students. You can check it out here.

An iPod/iPad/iPhone Perk for Parents

Jul 4, 2011 Summer is known for many activities. There are picnics, swimming parties, festivals, carnivals, parades and of course, READING. With our classroom iPods sitting idle, I discovered a great use for them with the adult reader in mind. If you download the free ebook reader apps from Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.com, you can get FREE access to many, many books to read the hours away this summer. READ MORE

What are you currently using on your iPods/iPads?

Mar 30, 2011 For those parents and fellow teachers who want to know what apps we currently use on our devices, take a look at the screen caps to the right.

Little Treasures Called Video Books

Mar 19, 2011 One of the things you might consider when using Pod devices is to make video books out of your students' writing projects. Depending on your skill level with Apple iLife applications, they can be a quick and easy way to highlight your students' work and provide read-alongs for your iPod and iPad users. The easiest way to make a video book is to simply film your student reading his/her writing. If your student created illustrations, make sure that they show them while reading. READ MORE

OUR DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE!

Mar 6, 2011 This week, we received funding from our friends, the Antioch High School Basketball Program and Coach Michael Skinner. This will allow us to purchase two more iPads for the classroom. When I began the quest for technology this past summer, I wanted to have a minimum of four iPads to use with my students. READ MORE

Our First Project For iPods/iPads

Feb 24, 2011 Today was a fantastic day of technology. One of my students took it upon himself to write, illustrate and publish his own book. I knew something was up over the past couple of weeks because every time he had a free moment he would ask, "Can I work on my book?" Well, today was the day that he presented it to me. It was called Just Like Me. This gave me an opportunity I had been waiting for. It was time to create a quick movie to share using our iPods and iPad. READ MORE