Apps4Edu - Teaching Ideas

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Apps4Edu
Students are more engaged and motivated to learn when they use mobile devices, and research shows that academic performances can improve. We as educators need to take note of this, and look for safe, productive ways to integrate mobile learning devices into our curriculums wherever possible. Below are some resources to help you get started.

Feel free to contact UEN to share your ideas.

Teaching with Mobile Devices

iPads in Class
This Scholastic article describes one High School's experience using iPads in the classroom.
Managing a Classroom Set of iPads
One educator's thoughts on how best to manage the use of a classroom set of iPads.
iPads in the Classroom - Kathy Schrock
You can find Kathy Schrock's presentations about iPad use for teaching and learning and links to other iPad information pages.
Free Teaching Guide: Mobile Devices for Learning
This guide from Edutopia can help you better understand how mobile gadgets (cell phones, tablets, and smartphones) can engage students and change their learning environment.
Using iPads in the Classroom
Ben Johnson asks the question, "If I had thirty iPads in my class, how would I use them to help my students learn better and help me teach better?"
iPads in Education
This Ning network was created to explore ways portable devices could be used to restructure the processes of education. Be sure to check out the curated articles highlighting the potential of tablet use in education.
Giving iPads to kindergartners increases test scores
Early test results of kindergarteners who used iPads for nine weeks last fall - compared to kindergartners who did not - show the iPads pupils did better, according to an Auburn School Department.

Finding and Evaluating Apps

Apps4Edu
UEN developed Apps4Edu to help you quickly find Apps that support the Utah Core Curriculum.
Bloomin' Apps
Kathy Schrock gathered a list of Google, iPad, Android, and Web 2.0 applications that support each of the levels of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy.
K-5 iPad Apps According to Bloom's Taxonomy
An elementary library media specialist reviews iPad apps as they map to an updated version of Bloom's Taxonomy.
Apps Evaluation Form (pdf)
Kathy Schrock developed this evaluation form to help you evaluate Apps.
Apps for Learning
Apple highlights some of their favorite Apps for education.
Education App Evaluation Rubric (pdf)
This is Tony Vincent's App Rubric. Note: An app's rubric score is very dependent on the intended purpose and student needs. An app score low, but it may still be a good app.
Apps Evaluation Form (pdf)
Kathy Schrock developed this evaluation form to help you evaluate Apps.
Educational App Evaluation Checklist (pdf)
Tony Vincent believes that perhaps a checklist is more useful than a rubric when selecting apps, so he developed one.
The Apple Volume Purchase Program
The Volume Purchase Program allows educational institutions to purchase iOS apps and books in volume and distribute them to students, teachers, administrators, and employees.
The Mobile App Review Rubric (pdf)
This checklist from Palm Beach County Schools and Edudemic.com provides a yes/no checklist within Curriculum Compliance, Operational, and Pedagogy categories.

Support, Tips and Tricks

Apple's iPad User Guide
If you need help setting up your iPad or you are one of those people who like to read the manual, here is the official iPad support page.
How to Control Your iPad's Multitouch Display
The iPad's multitouch display can take some getting used to. This video will teach you how to tap, flick, drag, and pinch your iPad in no time.
Videos: iPad's Built-in Apps
Learn how to use all of the iPad's built-in Apps by watching these videos from Apple.
UCET Blog
Visit the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology blog regularly to stay on top of news, resources and information pertaining to using technology to support instruction.
Tips, Tricks and Suggestions
Peruse this discussion forum from iPads in Education for tips, tricks and suggestions.
How to clean your iPad and other iOS devices
The "official" cleaning advice from Apple.
Understanding the side switch
Learn about the two functions of iPad's side switch: Rotation Lock and Mute.
Create your own iBooks Textbook for iPad
iBooks Author is an App that textbook publishers are using to design media-rich books for iPad. And you can, too. Just download iBooks Author from the Mac App Store.