Apple is a world leader in innovative technology, and lucky for us, that innovation has found it's way into the classroom. I am often asked what, if any, advantage Apple products have in the classroom. I am here to say the advantage is drastic. Yes many of the things you can do on an iPad can be done on a PC counterpart, but the power lies in the Apple specific applications.
The Apple App Store has a collection of thousands of applications designed with the pure intent of improving education. It is these applications that can transfer knowledge to our students in ways that we could have only dreamed during our studies.
If you have not experienced iTunes U then you are missing out. The largest collection of MOOCs (Massive Online Open Course) entirely at your fingertips. I am currently enrolled in an MIT course teaching me how to code in iOS 7.0. The coolest thing is that it is linked to databases around the world so I am currently working on a group project with a minister from Chicago and an engineer from India.
Finally, iBooks. Although officially part of many iTunes U courses, the ibook is something special. I have seen this first hand through NISD's Online Geometry Program transform teaching and learning. Students no longer stare blankly at a page in a textbook, instead, they interact with their learning, allowing for differentiation at it's finest, and forces students to take ownership in their education.
This is the future of learning.
The Apple App Store has a collection of thousands of applications designed with the pure intent of improving education. It is these applications that can transfer knowledge to our students in ways that we could have only dreamed during our studies.
If you have not experienced iTunes U then you are missing out. The largest collection of MOOCs (Massive Online Open Course) entirely at your fingertips. I am currently enrolled in an MIT course teaching me how to code in iOS 7.0. The coolest thing is that it is linked to databases around the world so I am currently working on a group project with a minister from Chicago and an engineer from India.
Finally, iBooks. Although officially part of many iTunes U courses, the ibook is something special. I have seen this first hand through NISD's Online Geometry Program transform teaching and learning. Students no longer stare blankly at a page in a textbook, instead, they interact with their learning, allowing for differentiation at it's finest, and forces students to take ownership in their education.
This is the future of learning.
Apple Application List
With so many applications out there how am I supposed to know what can actual align in the classroom and what is just fluff? Use this document to help reduce your research.
Applications in the Classroom (TEKS)
I love it when a technology person come to me with the phrase, "I gotta show you this app!" But now the hard part comes in, how can I successfully bring this into the classroom. Where does it align to the TEKS, and moreover, will it reach the rigor needed to pass state standards? This is where my job becomes fun! Use the file above to see where certain iPad/iPod applications directly correlate to the TEKS. I also have designed lessons for many of these applications, and when given permission, I will post them as well.
iBooks, The Future of Learning
After realizing that the link above does not give the iBook justice, I have devoted to work on a file showing the ins and outs of what an iBook can do and how easy they are to design. Look for it soon!