iTips for the iTeacher
How to Rock Your New iPad
The iPad as...Philosophy
iPad Management
Setting Device Wallpapers
Easily identify devices by creating desktop backgrounds to show numeration. Open Safari on your device and type: http://tinyurl.com/ipadnum in the address bar. Tap on the number you would like displayed on the iPad and save the image in your Photos. Open the image from Photos and tap the arrow icon to set as wallpaper. Continue on each device until they all have unique numbers. Consider numbering devices by grade level so that you can create a full class set to be used for special projects. Find additional numbered wallpapers from Tony Vincent here. Click here to see iPad Rules: Slide to Unlock if you Agree
JAMF Management System
JAMF is a Mobile Device Management system that allows the district to manage a large amount of iOS devices. Some functions that it can perform are to send profiles to devices (such as library portal web clips), make available eBooks using the Self-Service web clip, and lock or unlock devices. It also deploys paid apps allowing the district to remain compliant with iTunes. Move the Self Service icon to your dock for easy access.
Create Webclips
Create webclips (shortcuts) to frequently visited websites by tapping on the arrow icon and choosing "Add to Home Screen" within Safari. A few sites you may want to "clip" are Google Docs, Time for Kids, and Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers. Remember that the iPad does not currently support Flash or Java. Test websites for compatabilty prior to student use. For more "iPad friendly" sites visit: http://list.ly/1EY
Establish 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. Other alternatives are Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, Box, Chirp, and Edmodo. Visit: http://tinyurl.com/87jvekr for more information on establishing a workflow. For a complete guide using Google Docs, visit: iPad Paperless Workflow Infograpghic
Using QR Codes
Typing a long web address in the address bar of your browser can be difficult for many young students. Creating a QR code and having students scan using a QR code app will instantly take them to the desired destination. QR codes can also be created for everything from running scavenger hunts to polling students. Click here for more QR code ideas. For a complete tutorial on QR Codes visit Tony Vincent- Learning in Hand.
Install Reflector on Your PC
Reflector is a program you can install on your laptop that allows you to mirror your iPad onto your projected computer screen. You can demonstrate how to use an app, monitor on-task behavior during learning stations, or showcase student products created on the iPad. Click here for installation directions (NEISD employees only through Google Drive login)
Production vs. Consumption
Beginning of the Year
Aurasma
QR Reader
Haiku Deck
I Want My Students to...
Create Screencasts
We all know that when you’re able to teach a skill, you’ve truly mastered it. That’s why we pair up students in class, assign group work, and start peer tutoring programs. But, with screencasting, we can now have all our students teach others what they’ve learned. There are several free screencasting apps that you can download: Screenchomp, Educreations, ShowMe, Explain Everything, and Ask3. For more information on screencasting visit: http://www.schrockguide.net/screencasting.html
Make Presentations
There are many free apps available to students that will allow them to showcase learning in an engaging way. Some of my favorites are: Sock Puppets, Puppet Pals, Corkulous , Trading Cards, Haiku Deck, Toontastic, Doodle Buddy, PhotoCard, Snapguide, and Davinci Note. Of course, the best productivity apps are Keynote, Pages, and Numbers however, they are far from free. The best resource for using these apps comes from Lisa Johnson: www.techchef4u.com
Write Digital Stories
There is no better way to motivate students to write than handing them an iPad. My favorite writing apps include: Epic Citadel (students create stories by taking screenshots of this virtual environment and them writing a story to go along with it), Picturebook, StoryMaker Free, Tiny Tap, StoryKit, Phonto, BookMagic, and BookPress. There are a few paid apps available if your campus can find the funds: Book Creator, Write About This, and Scribble Press.
Annotate PDFs and Take Notes
Sick of worksheets? There are many ways to annotate PDFs on the iPad and to take notes while browsing the web. Adobe Reader is a robust app with lots of features. Skitch allows you to annotate on top of an image, which is more elementary-friendly. Scratchwork allows you to browse the web on one side of the screen while taking notes on the other side.
Communicate and Collaborate
Think about how your grade level or department plans lessons and activities. When working together, your lessons are more engaging and conducive to student success. Allow students the opportunity to do the same. There are many apps that facilitate student collaboration: Edmodo, Edublogs, iBrainstorm, Google Drive, Subtext, Voicethread, Padlet, Facetime, and Skype. Partner with a buddy class from another grade level on your campus and create a "student-centric " environment.
Record Audio/Video
There's no better way to encourage the inner Steven Spielberg to emerge from students than creating video. It's a cross-curricular vehicle that showcases a student's personality. Some of my favorites are Videolicious, Action Movie, iMovie (paid), the iPad Camera, and iMotion. There are also a plethora of audio apps to choose from: FaceTalker, Mad Lips, Fotobabble, AudioBoo, Recordium, and Songify.
5 Tips for Successful iPad Station Implementation
Click here for the full iStations presentation.
The following link provides a list of apps with task cards, resources, and tutorials to use with your students: http://mooreti.edublogs.org/apptivity-task-cards/Troubleshooting iTips
Laura Moore
Email: lmoore4@neisd.net
Website: www.mooreti.edublogs.org
Location: San Antonio, TX
Twitter: @learnmoorestuff