iPod/Smartboard Integration

Want to learn how to make iPods more than just apps?  In this professional development breakout session you will be introduced to creating videos through the Smartboard, using apps as a classroom response system, creating flashcards to review skills, “kicking” videos, and organizing iTunes movies by genre. Learn how to make the best instructional use of this new classroom technology.  Check out our preview.

Grading with Google Forms Made Easy

I have been looking for a way to grade Google Forms that I have had my students complete on the iPods.  Through my search, I came across the following website:  http://www.flubaroo.com/flubaroo-user-guide

Check out the 3 minute demo below and see just how easy grading can be. 

 

See how I have used Google Forms with the iPods
 http://myedet650.blogspot.com/2011/02/ipods-and-google-forms-what-works-best.html

McGraw-Hill Free Math Apps.

All of McGraw Hill Everyday Math  $2 Games Apps are available for FREE download but it ends Friday, April 15th!    Download now to get these free.

Addition Top-It

Subtraction Top-It

Name that Number

Beat the Computer Multiplication

Equivalent Fractions

Tric Trac

Monster Squeeze

Baseball Multiplication

Divisibility Dash

GamesLab - Radford University

http://gameslab.radford.edu/iLearn/ -- Discover ways to use iPods in your classroom and see videos on management techniques from PreK through 7th grade.

Classroom iPod touches & iPads: Dos and Don'ts

Learning in Hand provides us with the Dos and Don'ts of using iPods, iPads in the classroom.  Check out their site, it offers some great suggestions. 

Thumb Tacks

I found this link on mini microphones from SwitchEasy.  You would only need to purchase a couple of these thumb tacks to use in class.  No cords to become knotted, use with a Nano 4G or Touch 2G.  Be sure to check it out.

Can anyone tell us how well these work and are they worth the $12.99 + $3.00 sh&h?

iTunes U

There are many resources available through the iTune Store.  Check out these Podcast Videos to help you get started using Google Docs and iPods.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=413928903  --Tech Tutorials created by Radford University

http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/k12.mi.us-dz.4769330708   -- Created by John Sowash, Google Certified Teacher

Motion Math

Motion Math

Cost:  $1.99

Motion Math is a movement-based learning

game that follows a star that has fallen from space.

It must bounce back up to its home in the stars. 

Moving fractions to their correct location on the number line is the only way to return.  Motion Math provides the player the opportunity to understand and estimate fractions, decimals and graphs.

My students were fully engaged in this app.  They were challenged and excited to play.  Their vote:  5 stars for this app. 

P.M. – This was one of the coolest math games ever because of the motion controller. 

G.C. – This game was hard at first but then got easier.  I had to think about the fractions and where they would be on a number line.  What I really liked is that I was learning and having fun at the same time.

M.J – This game was awesome.  It was also challenging.  I am going to download it on my own iPod.  It was awesome because it wasn’t like any math game I’ve ever played.  It was challenging because the time got shorter each time.  Changing to percent, pie graphs, and decimals also challenged me. 

C.H – I really liked this game a lot! It combined math and a fun concentration game together?  It was cool how it changed from just fractions to negative numbers, graphs, and decimals.  The levels got harder as you advanced.  The ball gets faster too.  This game was fun and I look forward to playing it again.

A.H. – I had a fun time playing Motion Math because the more you play the more you understand how fractions, decimals and graphs are related.  The game tested my skills to locate numbers on the number line.

D.M. – I think Motion Math was a good game because it had your brain really thinking about the fraction.  I liked that it would help you out along the way.  One thing that challenged me was that it got faster and faster.  I believe this is a good game because it makes you really think.

C.S. – A cool thing about Motion Math was as you made it to higher levels, the scenery changed as your star moved up.  It was fun because it challenges you to think about where a pie graph would be on a number line and where negative numbers go.  I liked it because it had a variety of different decimals and fractions.

28 iPod Uses for the Classroom

Need ideas on how to use the iPod in the classroom.  Check out Tom Barrett's PowerPoint, "28 Interesting Ways* to Use an iPod Touch in the Classroom"  *and tips.  

iPods, Apps, Syncing, and Student Responsibility

With the purchasing of Apps and setting iPods up with folders, I found it a struggle to keep our grade level set of iPods current.  If I wanted to put an app into a folder, I would have to either set one up the way I wanted it and then back it up, or I would have to manually drop each app into the appropriate folder before syncing.  This was taking too much time, I needed a solution. 

Now that I have our folders set:  Math, History, Science, Reference, Games etc.  I decided to enlist the help of my students. 

As I purchase apps, I sync my carts to include the new apps.  Our iPods will automatically sync when I plug in the drawer putting all new apps under our content folders and the need to be placed in our content folders.  My solution, before my students start an activity, I have them help me drag the app(s) to the appropriate folder(s) as needed. 

• Have students hold down on the app that you want to move.  After a few seconds the apps will begin to shake and those you can move or delete will have an “x” in the top left corner. 
• Holding down the app that you want to move, drag it over the appropriate folder and let go.  It will drop into the folder as long as it is directly on top.  If not, you will need to drag it again. 
• Now every time you sync, it will be in the folder.
• It only takes a few seconds once you teach your students what to do.  They like playing the different apps and are quick to ask if they are doing it wrong, or check to make sure they are going to the right spot before they actually move.  Our students are assigned specific iPods, so we can monitor easily. 
• On occasion, apps do get put in the wrong folder.  I help individual students move the app out of the folder and then into the appropriate one as the need arises.  You drag apps out just like you drag them in. 

This has worked great and I found that they willingly take on this responsibility.  Because I am having my students move the apps for me, I no longer need to back up the iPods weekly.  I will continue to backup one iPod every couple of weeks, but will only restore all our iPods from the backup when needed. 

Ipod usage just got easier. 

Quizlet and Flashcard Touch

Flashcard Touch:   $4.99           Quizlet:  Free

http://quizlet.com/ - create a free account on Quizlet

With Quizlet you can create study cards to use with Flashcard Touch for your students. 

Quizlet provides you a resource to use with computers, iPads,  and iPods.  It provides students and you a variety of options.

On the computer and/or iPad students can use Quizlet’s webpage to:   

• Review and study flashcards
• Cards can be shuffled so they do not appear in the same order
• Learn by typing the correct answers to the questions
• Take practice on-line test which will provide instant feedback on how well they did and can be regenerated if needed
• Provides games for review
• You can print test that includes multiple choice, true/false, matching and/or short answer for your students
• Allows you to listen to the cards if needed, so you are not just reading but hearing the information as you study
• You can insert images

On the iPods students can download you set of cards to FLASHCARD TOUCH where they can review the cards as well as listen to them. 

We found that the iPod screens were too small to play the games and take tests because of the amount of scrolling you need to do while on the Internet.  However, if they need to study prior to taking a practice test or completing one of the activities, then an iPod works great using FLASHCARD TOUCH. 

1.   To download a set of cards, make sure your iPod is logged into the Internet

2.   Find your FLASHCARD TOUCH app, open and choose “Browse for More”

3.   In the top right corner, click on the “Magnifying Glass” and then choose “USERNAME”  is should appear dark gray when selected.

4.   Enter your User ID for Quizlet and press “Search”

5.   Your flashcards will appear and you need to select the set that you want to review, a list of the questions will appear.

6.   Select “Download” on the bottom right corner.

7.   You will be prompted with “Download Successful, Do you want to review?”,  click “YES”

8.   Select “ALL” at the bottom of the page and then click on the first question and your flashcards will appear.

9.   To manipulate, slide your finger left or right to show the front and back of the card.  To advance to the next card or return to the previous one, slide your finger up or down. 

Since each iPod needs to have the card set downloaded, I walked my students through these steps.  This eliminated my needed to backup and sync each iPod.  The first set of cards are now stored in the App ready to view at a moment's notice.

Quizlet allows you to share your cards with others and provides you a library to search various subjects.  Make sure you share your user name with your students so they can search for you at home.  

In addition, students can create their own accounts at home and download study cards to their own personal iPods as well as share their cards with their classmates.    

Syncing Safari Bookmarks with the iPod

One difficulty my students have with the iPods is typing a URL address.  They often misspell, add extra letters, or leave something out of it.  Many become frustrated and give up.  You can solve this obstacle by saving your Safari bookmarks to your iPods.

First:  Save the pages you want your students to have access to as a bookmark in Safari.  Remember to create bookmark folders for each subject to make it easier for your students to find the websites.

Once you have your bookmarks saved, plug in your iPods to sync.  You will need to select each iPod individually and then click on the “INFO” tab.

Scroll down to “Other” and select “Sync Safari Bookmarks”

Under “Advanced”  select “Bookmarks”

Click “Apply” and then “Sync”

Students can now open Safari on the iPods.  Use the “Open Book” to find the bookmark you want and with a simple tap they are off and running. 

Remember when syncing bookmarks with iPods. 

• Create subject folders to search easier
• All bookmarks will be available to use on the iPods if you sync.  Use care to make sure they are appropriate for your students.