Tablets:
There are so many practical ways in which tablets can be used to enhance the teaching, learning and assessment opportunities within the classroom. We will look at possible uses for assessment in module 3.
The following are just some of the key areas where teachers can integrate the use of tablets:
To enhance literacy – The use of tablets and the availability of so many apps, provides ample opportunity to teachers to utilise tablets to enhance literacy. Children can create their own presentations, create their own blogs, design and deliver exciting projects and be the author of their own ebooks. They can take notes (handwritten, typed or recorded notes), they can complete and hand in assignments, and they can record their own radio show, interviews or reading tasks by using the tablet’s own microphone and recording features. Children can use the tablets to take photographs. These can be then utilised in a variety of ways on the tablet.
To enhance numeracy – Tablets can also be used to assist in the teaching and consolidation of facts in mathematics. Children can engage with mathematical tools and virtual manipulatives, use apps like Angry Birds to strengthen mathematical skills, create and utilise interactive graphs and charts, use the tablet’s calculator facility, the camera tool for mathematical trails or for augmented reality purposes etc. There are endless possibilities.
Teachers can provide problem solving tasks and challenges where children have to record their workings, and the rationale behind their answers.
Tablets can also be used cross-curricularly and below are just some of the ideas you might want to consider:
To enhance subjects related to the Visual Arts Curriculum – Children can use tablets and different programs to create digital art, create and record music, and create and record dramas. They can use the camera function to photograph art work, make collages, upload art work photos to a class blog, school website or class Twitter account etc.
To enhance children's learning in the areas of History/Geography/Science etc. – Children can utilise the internet on the tablets to search for key facts, they can investigate scientific problems, bring history to life, or explore the world via Google maps, Scoilnet Maps, Google Earth, Wikimapia etc.
To enhance and promote ideas on how children can be digitally responsible - teachers can teach children how to use technology in a digitally responsible way. Through the use of special sites such as www.webwise.ie (Ireland), children can learn how to use technology safely and how to recognise, report or avoid cyber-bullying.
Search engines such as kiddle.co or kidrex.org should limit children’s exposure to inappropriate material online.
Interactive Whiteboard Resources
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/hub/primary
Welcome teachers, this page can be used as a ‘One Stop Shop’ for finding useful resources, activities and links on the Internet.
http://www.primatabs.ie/resources/Maths/HomeMaths.html - Also Irish Aural resources
Primary Science Resources : http://esero.ie/primary-level/
RTE Player
BBC Skillswise
Teaching Ideas
TeachNet
Primary Resources – General
Primary Games– General
Top Marks – General
Class Tools – General
Teacher View– Lesson Plans, activity pages, themed units.
CJ Fallon
Folens
BBC Schools
BBC Bitesize
Seomra Ranga
INTO
Top Marks
WoodlandsJunior
TeacherTube
Scoilnet – General
Bee MP3
Language Support – Useful website:
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/– Help the children classify ideas and communicate more effectively