Thing 14: App-palooza

Mobile Learning Futures is an article that discusses how the use of technology in classrooms might  impact the social and economic divide between whites and Hispanics/blacks.  Due to a lack of vision with regard technology integration, many school districts, especially high poverty ones, that have rushed to equip classrooms with the latest and greatest are not seeing the transformative results they had hoped for.  Instead of projects that require higher order thinking, mobile technology is proving for most to be another means for students to engage in traditional learning experiences. 

All K-2 classrooms in our district have been provided approximately 5-6 iPads, with access to programs that enhance literacy and mathematical skills.  As a former technology resource teacher, I saw that teachers utilized the pre-loaded, district purchased apps most frequently.  Most were not aware of the extensive features that these apps offered, including those intended for differentiation and reporting.  There were even some teachers who didn't make use of the technology at all, because they didn't feel confident in managing students with the devices. 

With the technology available, primary teachers in our district have a leg up on providing students with opportunities to inquire, explore, design and do.  As the article suggests, I think it's a matter of these individuals learning how to make the iPads an integral part of the learning process, and learning themselves how to adopt and use them.  Aside from the willingness and motivation to do so, this requires time and flexibility.  Our students especially, need the exposure to technology and the opportunity to apply it to learning.

As a fourth grade teacher now, I live the challenges that exist in getting students "onto" technology.  Nonworking machines, wireless issues, and limited schedules make it difficult to get a whole class, or even part of a class, consistently online. This impacts my ability to introduce and instruct students on programs that aren't intuitive or user friendly.  I do what I can though, and have had some small successes with having my students complete webquests for research, iMovies, Movie Maker projects and Smore sites.    If I should continue to work in the school I am currently placed, I might consider offering a series of tech related PD.  I'd need to make a plan for the year of what I might cover, and then solicit some feedback from the staff. It would be so great to spur some motivation and excitement, and at the same time, give staff the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate on projects!

I did take some time to review the 10 Apps to Make Reading in Class More Fun..and was most impressed with the Storia app.  It's similar to Accelerated Reader in many ways, but I liked that students could make notes and highlight text for themselves while reading, and then save those notes in alternate locations (like DropBox).  With my newly acquired skills in Google Classroom, I'm considering something like this for next year, where they can read and respond to books they've completed online, and submit digital assignments.