I just attended the BLC conference in Boston and learned that if I don’t get your attention with this blog entry in 11-16 seconds you will move on to something else on the web! Please stay to find out what I learned about iPads and education at BLC.
Seth Bowers’ session was called iPad in the Classroom. Here are links to his presentation slideshow and an extremely extensive list of apps for the classroom. Seth began by saying that while the iPad is a wonderful device for consumers he questioned whether it was a creative tool. He noted that one benefit is the speed it turns on- I must agree I have appreciated this more and more over the past few weeks. Seth plans on using the iPad in the classroom this fall and envisions stations in Lower School classrooms. Apparently apps can be loaded on more than one iPad so it should not be cost prohibitive. While I haven’t fully explored his list of apps yet, he highlighted a few of them. He liked Storykit because you can create your own versions of stories. History:maps of the world seems to be a wonderful resource. He finished with a demo on Korg-ielectribe that is on sale for $9.99 until the end of July. He also showed us a couple of humorous videos about the iPad: Grandma’s Ipad commercial and David Letterman. Seth recommended Steve Dembo’s blog.
I also attended a session by Lainie Rowell called iPhone: The Ultimate Teaching Assistant. The presentation can be found on her website as well as two polls where the audience shares their favorite apps. Much of what she said about the iPhone and the iPod touch is applicable to the iPad so I found it incredibly useful. She recommended the app Audioboo to record voices but it looks like it is just an app for the iPhone. I asked Alex to order us an Ipevo document camera that Lainie was using- a wonderful tool for $69!
Both Lainie and Seth also gave us some tips and tricks to use. The one I have used the most is tapping the top- just by the time- to return to the top of the page. Holding down your finger is just the same as a right click. The apple site has many more tips but I also googled tips and tricks and found many great sites. Here is one called Gizmodo with a top 10 tips and tricks that I enjoyed!
If you have been to a technology conference, you know that you need to take your toys with you wherever you go! I took my phone, camera, laptop, and iPad- oh yes, 4 chargers! I loved the iPad for quick access, clear readability, and a charge that seems to last forever. Above all I am beginning to understand when I need to use my laptop and when I need the iPad. One is not the replacement for the other.
Mel, How are you putting images on your posts?
When you are putting your post into the box there is an insert image just above. Click on that, find the picture you want to use and then select a couple of options (size, position etc. ) I put mine in after I did the text but with cursor at the beginning so it went at the top.
Has anyone figured out how to attach photographs from a pictures file onto an outgoing email message? Sounds like a stimulating conference, Mel.
John, You have to send the photo from the photo app to email. I believe there is a menu where you can select send photo. Happy to help if any way I can.