SO, YOU'VE GOT iPADS IN YOUR CLASSROOM! ... NOW WHAT?!
With the infusion of Project Lead the Way and tech levy money in our district, many BPS teachers' classes now have iPads. This is so exciting! Meaningfully integrating iPads into your classroom can transform the way you teach and the way your students learn. However, using iPads in purposeful and engaging ways is also a lot of work! The goal in creating this website is to provide a resource for using iPads in your classrooms, whether you are just getting started or are an iPad Superstar searching for new lesson ideas or teachers to connect with.
CREATING FLUID LEARNERS
It is important to remember that even though your students now have access to technology, they don't have to use it all the time. Choose opportunities for students to use technology when it makes sense and makes the lesson more meaningful. Create a balance between lessons, projects and activities that use technology and ones that use more "traditional" methods. We really love this article about creating fluid learners, which was posted on the blog Wacky in One/Two. When you have a chance, we encourage you to read it!
USING THE SAMR MODEL WITH iPADS
The SAMR model is a method for helping teachers meaningfully and purposefully integrate technology into their lessons. SAMR stands for: substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition. If you Google "SAMR model", you will find TONS of resources, but our favorite graphic is this one from Kathy Schrock's blog.
The SAMR model helped us think more intentionally about the apps we were using and projects we were having our students complete. We knew it was okay to start at "substitution", with a goal of working towards "redefinition". This helped us take "baby steps" toward our goal of using iPads in the most effective way possible.
A Guide for Bringing the SAMR Model to iPads
The SAMR model helped us think more intentionally about the apps we were using and projects we were having our students complete. We knew it was okay to start at "substitution", with a goal of working towards "redefinition". This helped us take "baby steps" toward our goal of using iPads in the most effective way possible.
A Guide for Bringing the SAMR Model to iPads