iStations:
5 Tips for Successful iPad Implementation
1. Make sure your iPad lessons are focused and provide clear directions for submitting a final product.
- Provide written instructions at each iPad center that include the expectations of the student for each app the student should be using. If possible, provide a QR code that connects to a video or written instructions explaining the center’s activity. This is great because at any time the student can refer back to the directions without having to ask the teacher.
- Choose an app(s) that purposefully targets a skill for instruction or review.
- Remember that your station does not require a 1:1 ratio of iPad use. You could engage students in activities using 1 iPad per station/small group and have 3 groups, or you could have 1 station of 3 iPads.
- Have students prepare the station for the next group of students by restarting the app so that it will be a clean slate.
Pic Collage
Videolicious
Trading Cards
Educreations
Tellagami
Thinglink
5th grade fractions
AR Flashcards
colAR Mix
Blank Apptivity Task Card Template (Word)
2. Organize apps in folders appropriate for each iPad station.
If you expect a student to use 3 specific apps for a center, put those 3 apps together in a folder. This is a great visual cue for the student to find that center’s appropriate apps as well as cut down time locating the apps on the iPad.
3. Use Guided Access or Reflector to monitor on-task behavior.
Guided Access allows you to “lock” a student into an app by disabling the home button. This is great to keep the students on task and stop them from exploring whatever else is on the iPad. Guided Access also lets you customize what parts of the iPad screen the student is able to interact with. If there is a part of an app that you do not want the student to be able to touch (like for in-app purchases), you have that ability.
Reflector is a program installed on your computer that allows you to view 1 or more iPads through the projector. You can also use Reflector for sharing student products or compare/contrast different problem solving strategies. Click here to download the instructions (Must login with NEISD credentials)
4. Use iPad friendly websites
Many of your favorite websites work well on the iPad. The best part is they are free and don’t take up any space on your iPad. To place a shortcut on your iPad, open Safari and navigate to the website. Tap on the export button in the upper left side and choose "add to home screen".
QuizletTumblebooks (Open this link from the ipad)Google Docs Newspaper GeneratorRandom Name Generator
Journal Jar
IXL Online Math Practice
Imagination Prompt
Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers
5. Establish a Workflow
One element that is often overlooked is the planning and organization of content workflow. How will information and work be distributed, shared, and collected? Every iPad has a generic student e-mail profile installed so students can send projects created on the iPad to your computer. For the most part, it works well. Visit: http://tinyurl.com/87jvekr for more information on establishing a workflow. Other alternatives are:
- Dropbox
- Google Drive For a complete guide using Google Docs, visit: iPad Paperless
- Evernote
- Box
- Chirp
- Edmodo
- Workflow Infograpghic
*Bonus: Too many apps? Delete the crapps!
Get rid of the non-educational games that eventually end up on your iPad, especially the ones that are violent. The iPad should only be used as a reward if it is written in a student’s IEP. If you do have a student using the iPad in this manner, place the “reward apps” in its own folder. Also, please remember that Netflix, banking, social networking (with your personal account), personal or work email and other such apps are not allowed on student devices.
Laura Moore
Email: lmoore4@neisd.net
Website: mooreti.edublogs.org
Location: San Antonio, TX
Twitter: @learnmoorestuff