Many districts today struggle with finding the right tool for the right job, in teaching and learning there are different jobs; with the advent of PARCC, a computer given assessment, the need for schools to acquire new technology is great. There is vigorous debate about what that tool should be. If you do any reading along this line you know people are passionate about their choice of device. Honestly the device is last thing to be considered. Just…
As we are all well aware iOS 7 was released earlier this week. Change is inevitable; it is pure excitement and joy for some but not always easy for others. As any provider of tech support knows our focus is on the later. Apparently we know all the answers even though we are seeing the new iOS for the first time as well. Thankfully there are those excited to explore and test out the iOS and share their findings. Can’t…
My guess is we all had a teacher who required us to take notes a particular way. I remember one teacher who made us take two column notes. I did not like having to fold my pages and frankly I have trouble reading my own handwriting, this method was not for me. I appreciated knowing there are different strategies for taking notes, organizing and maximizing workflow but ultimately the choice should be mine. I feel the same way about all…
Over the last two weeks I have had the opportunity to attend some workshops on the iPad in general and for use with those who have special needs. I have come away more solidified in my vision of the use of iPads in schools The iPad is a game changer when it comes to supporting differentiated instruction and universal design in learning. I know there are other devices out there but Apple made a commitment to accessibility a long time ago and continues to…
Many schools are looking for alternative digital books such a free open source texts like those found on CK-12.org, which are not interactive, or encouraging teachers to create their own interactive texts. The tools available to create interactive texts for the iPad are available; for a Mac there are iWork Pages and the free iBooks Author. The basic skills need for assembly of an interactive digital text are already mastered by most teachers; create text in a word processor, insert…
Many schools and districts are discussing the possibilities of adopting 1:1 devices such as the iPad. They are conducting trials to work out the technical issues and have teachers begin to think about how to integrate them in the classroom. One of the reasons schools give for this move is to be rid of traditional textbooks and move to digital books. However many digital textbooks are just non-interactive PDFs of their print cousins and cost about the same. Apple recently…
Apple recently announced changes to a few apps and a new program that will likely play a big role in education, particularly if your institution is using iPads. iBooks was upgraded to allow the program to support epub 3, books that are rich in media and interactivity. Apple also entered into an agreement with textbook publishers to create true media rich texts. The books are currently priced at about $15 much cheaper then a paper textbook but not reusable or resalable. Apple introduced the program iBooksAuthor that allows…