Workshop 1

Right - this evening I shall start with information from the first workshop from the conference I attended last week - Mobile Devices in the Classroom.

The first workshop was given by Cameron Lockie - Principal from Kaipara Flats School.  It was titled 'iTouch Learning @Kaipara Flats School - Come hear the journey we have taken introducing iPod touches and iPads into our learning programmes, the mistakes, the successes, how we manage the devices, what we have learnt and where to next.

Cameron said he got the iPads and iPods for his school by applying for grants from 'pub' funding.  He also got money from this source to purchase Sony TV's.  He did apply to other sources too but kept going until he was successful.

The school is going to gradually phase out desktops and replace with the teachers choice of an iPad or laptop.

Cameron said to us that he was happy for us to ring and arrange a visit to his school to see the iPads in action.

Cameron stressed that the iPads are NOT replacing anything.  All other programmes are still in place.  They are an additional tool for teachers.

Kids can often be seen working in 2's and 3's around an iPad - co-operation, collaboration, language sharing, turn taking.

They ENGAGE students.

They enhance instruction.

They increase motivation.

They accomodate multiple learning styles.

Can be taken anywher.

Expands learning beyond the classroom.

Ease of use - intuitive - little pre-training required.

The school is now working out how to share info on each others iPads and getting info off the device and put onto the server.

Use of folders - put in apps they don't want kids to use, make topic foldrs.A good app. is Cuebrain (?) - for letter formation.

Each teacher has their own individual iTunes account - this prevents "gate-keeping" by senior staff.



Well there it is folks - let me know what you think.