Tablets Literacy For Education

Tablets Literacy For Education 

Dictionary:

   I explored the Dictionary app further, although this is the App that I use on my phone. I always enjoy using this app because it has many fun options to it. It begins with a word of the day. This could be fun to use with the students, possibly making a game out of it. It of course has the easy to use search bar and gives all of the different translations of the words. It also enables the students to have a Thesaurus and a Translator as well. This could be easy for the ELL to use because it is all right there together for them to work on their language. Thesaurus' are great tools to use as well when learning the English language. It is important that the students know what a Thesaurus is and how to use it. They also have slideshow options on interesting language tools, such as "7 Ways to Say Thank You." This could be fun to begin a language lesson with the students and show them one of these power points, then have them create their own. 

Non-Dictionary App:

   I explored the My Spelling Test app on the iPad. This app enables the children to take a spelling test on the iPads instead of having to use paper. This app lets a teacher create a list of spelling words and then the teacher can record themselves saying the spelling words and a sentence (or however they conduct the test). The student can then individually the the spelling test, with just the iPad and head phones. The student will type the spelling words into the lines, and will have them listed out just like on paper. This is a great tool for the teacher to have because it gives the students the time that they need to work on the words on their own. They aren't embarrassed to ask the teacher to repeat because they can control the iPad themselves. They also have the opportunity to take as much time as they need. The teacher does not have to feel like they need to find the advanced student something to do while they wait. It is also a great tool for the students who are absent on spelling test days. The student can use their recess or free time to take their spelling test the next day without the teacher having to participate. I also like the fact that the iPad connects to the Smart Board. This is a great practice for the students, or even an introductory to the spelling words. This is a great tool for the teacher to spend time with the students in a bigger classroom setting, or it can be a center where the students are using the Smart Board on their own (which we all know they want to play with it). 

Visual Presentation App:

   I had the chance to play around with the Drawing Pad app. There are many different options of tools to use such as: marker, chalk, crayon, pencil, eraser, paint, etc. The user can also use movie reels or different stationary background to create something. This could be a great tool to use for creating posters or story telling maps for the students in the classroom. This could be a great tool for students to illustrate their own pictures for books that we read in the classroom, or give students something to do during the down time.

Story Apps:

   Puppet Pals was a lot of fun to play around with. You began creating your story by picking different characters to go into your fairy tale. Then you got to pick your backdrop of where the characters were. Then I had the opportunity to record a story that goes along with the characters and the backdrop. This could be a great way to work on visual story telling with the students. They can create their own presentation and then share it with the whole class. This is a creative way to work on story telling aspects such as plot, climax, etc. It also can be used as a group project that could help the students to learn to work in a group setting. This is a fun tool to use in the classroom, and help engage the kids while they are learning.