Reflecting on educational uses for the iTouch in my classroom, the first thing that comes to mind are my students who struggle to keep up with the rest of the class and appear to be embarrassed to participate because of it. There are 5 computers in the class already that have assigned times for each student, allotting an equal share of opportunity for each. The problem is that some students could benefit much more significantly than others, and that being on the computer in the front of the classroom becomes a distraction for other students during work time. That is where the specific value of the iTouch comes in. It is small enough to be used at student's desks with a small screen that cannot draw other students' attention away from the task at hand.
The first student that I think might benefit from using one is by far the squirrelliest in my third-grade class and the one that refuses to read in front of others, although he can clearly read to himself and find answers to questions asked of him, and hates writing. It is as if he hates the physical act of writing. Given the opportunity I would start him with StoryKit so that he could write a few stories with pictures. Ideally he would have an iTouch with photo taking abilities, so he could take and use photos from his school life. I think this might get his creative juices flowing enough to overcome his shortest-stories-ever syndrome. My daughter appreciated being able to draw her own pictures with this one as well.
Next I would make good use of math games at Math Drills Lite for my student with LD that struggles with working memory. He really needs to practice, practice, practice, and this app is very customizable with useful tips to help the students learn more about the operation that they are working with at the time. This would be an easy, discreet and fun way for him to get his practice. Another good math app for multiplication is Timesby.
Last, I would have a slew of easy to access brain, math and word games available for all students to play with when other work is finished or they need a brain break. So far I like Word Spy, Word Warp, Shakespell, Hangman, 3D Words, Bright Puzzles, Brain Blaze and Finger Physics. Mostly I want to expose the students to many ways to play with our knowledge making our brains much more interesting, entertaining and playful places in which to live. What I like about having these games at the ready is that each student can find their interest and level and still be learning. Learning should be fun after all!
Yup, the convenience of just having a small computer at hand is huge... they won't replace actual computers, but how cool to have them right at hand.
ReplyDeleteThe interesting things about games is that they're not only fun but also often scaffold learning really really well... kids can "fail" safely and then find their way to success. Pretty interesting learning theory beneath many of these games.