iPads in The Classroom- Now What Do I do With Them?

A few days ago I ask my Facebook fans how they use iPads in their classroom.  I received a variety of responses  The comments that surprised me the most are the ones saying they had no idea on what to do with them.  So hopefully I can help shed a little light on the subject.

Last November I was fortunate enough to receive 2 iPads to use in our classroom.  I began researching some apps I wanted to try.  Being that I don't have little kids, I wasn't too familiar with apps for 5 year olds.  So I did the next best thing,  I asked a 5 year old what app they were using.  Teach Me was the first app I installed.  It is still my students' favorite app to use. It was well worth the $1.99. Another app I purchased right away, was the Wet Dry App it correlates to our Handwriting Without Tears program.

 

 Since then I have scoured Pinterest and Google reading all about iPads in the classroom and finding what others believe to be the best apps out there.  Here is what I learned, Most free apps are just that they are Free.  Although Free is always within budget, you do get what you pay for.  However the apps you buy don't necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg.  There are so many out there that you can probably find what you are looking for, for only a few dollars.

Here are just a few of my favorites FREE Apps.

I've put together a Pinterst Board of articles and ideas on how to use technology, more specifically, iPads, in the classroom.  Follow my board, I'm always adding to it.

What Do You Do With an iPad or Two?

• Centers:  iPads are part of my morning reading center rotations along with my computers.  During morning center time students use the iPads and computers to access Lexia.
• Math Work Stations: Students access one of the many math apps I have.
• Literacy Work Stations: Students can choose to access Lexia or another Language Arts App
• Choice Time: students can access any educational app.

Throughout the day when the iPads are not being used for centers or Work Stations, I have an iPad User List.  The clothespins move down the list as the iPads are being used. When it is time for a student to use the iPad, they set their timer for 20 minutes and then use the app of their choice or the app I have chosen for them.  Students can take the iPad to the class library, the listening center or the quiet work table so they aren't a distraction to the other students. When their time is up, they move the clothespin to the next student on the list and tell that student it is their turn.  The system works well and it is easy to monitor and maintain.

Caring for the iPads 
At the end of the day, the iPads are turned off and placed in a secure location.  If they need to be charged, I place them in my charging station area.  Basically it is a power strip located behind a plastic 3-drawer unit.  The charging cords are ran through the backside of the drawers. I place the iPads in the drawer after connecting them to the charging cords.

I hope you have found a few new apps to use and perhaps have picked up a few new tricks along the way for managing your iPads.  Check back soon, as I will have a new app to tell you all about.