Technology Reflection : Instructional use of iPads

Technology Reflection: Instructional use of iPads

Description/Experience

                Last seminar, we were instructed on the use of iPads and how they can be used as instructional tools in the classroom. iPads can be used as rewards for good behavior, or a fun way to practice new material in any subject. I couldn’t help but think how convenient iPads are and how quickly technology is always advancing.

Application

                One history activity that I know can be used on an IPad is a quiz of the 50 presidents. This could be used in an assignment, where I give each student an opportunity to take a quiz and list as many presidents in order as they can, and the student or students with the best scores gets a reward or extra credit on a test or quiz. The age group would be older high school students, obviously in a history classroom setting. I would know that the students are acquiring the material if they get decent scores on the ipad tests. Also, I would give this test out to students on multiple class days so they have a chance to improve on their scores.

Timeline of activities

·         I, as the teacher would first give a quick lecture for the students on how to properly use the ipad, walking them through the step by step process of how to access the history app

·         I would then give the students  10 minutes to review their presidents

·         Assuming there are a limited number of ipads, I would hand the ipads out to the students starting in the front of the classroom, while the other students continue to study

·         Once the students finished their use of the ipads, I would collect them, record their score, and pass them out to the next students to use

·         Once finished, I would determine the best scores, and give the top five scoring students extra credit on the upcoming test

Reflection

Pedagogy-Content

                I would make the content comprehensible to students by taking them though a step by step process of how exactly to use the technology so they don’t feel lost. Depending on age groups, the technology of an ipad can be much more confusing for younger students, so it would take much more time to explain the assignment.

Technology- Pedagogy

                The purpose of the use of technology is to make the education of United States Presidents more entertaining, and different. Also, iPads make it quicker to complete a learning activity in less time. Completing this type of activity may make it difficult to keep an entire classroom of students on task and under control, so I could split the classroom up into stations of students who are using the ipads, and students who are studying in preparation to use the ipads.

Technology-Content

                Using the ipads, learning will be enhanced because the quiz will likely show pictures and give additional information, helping to use the students advance their learning. Extra information enhances students learning, so they are not just learning what the presidents were, but who they were and what they did.

Technology-Pedagogy-Content

                I would incorporate this technology in a way that allows the teacher and students to take a hands on approach to learning, which in my opinion is the best way for students to have fun and learn. Ipads are a way to get students to learn, while allowing students to have fun and get to use something new. A hands on technique is a strategy that I favor and believe is the best way to get things accomplished, as well as instilling new knowledge in students.