Tech EDGE: Mobile Learning in the Classroom
Wow! Tech EDGE podcasts share some really neat and awesome apps! UNL Tech EDGE's Mission is "To create a generation of teachers who are effective and confident using new technologies to prepare the students of Nebraska to participate and lead in tomorrow's global society." Tech EDGE is a great resource for teachers because they create weekly video podcasts about how to use and incorporate iPads in K-12 classrooms. I watched many different episodes, but the two I will focus on in this review are "Tech EDGE, iPads In The Classroom – Episode 91, Practicing Math" and "Tech EDGE, iPads In The Classroom – Episode 118, Math and Logic Games." I watched multiple podcasts because I wanted to find apps that I could actually see myself using in my future classroom; however, I also wanted them to be free.
From the podcast, “Tech EDGE, IPads In The Classroom – Episode 118, Math and Logic Games.” I really liked the app Telling Time. This is a free app for the younger elementary students who are just learning or are practicing telling time. Within the app, there are two different time exercises. One is called "Set the Time" which has the child set the time on a clock face by the hour. The other one is called "Stop the Clock." It has the child hit the stop button when the clock hands are at a specific time (this includes minutes as well, for example 12:17 p.m.). Both of these exercises have different difficulty options such as the clock format (24 hour, 12 hour with a.m./p.m., or the 12 hour format without a.m./p.m.). Also, you can have the time in hour or 30 minute intervals and can adjust the speed of the exercise. This app can be used on an iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. I think this app would be great to use in a classroom and would help with student learning because it is very engaging and the app reads the time as students change the clock hands. It’s easy to use and provides a lot of practice for the students, but presents in a fun and age-appropriate way.
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I also really liked the free app IXL that I discovered in the Podcast, “Tech EDGE, iPads In The Classroom – Episode 91, Practicing Math." I can definitely see myself using this app in my future classroom because it can be used for both math and language arts, covers multiple standards, and is appropriate for all grade levels. I am really excited about this app, because it has over 4,500 pre-K-12 math and English language arts skills. This app could be utilized in a variety of ways and all year round. Teachers could definitely use this app in place of worksheets because it asks the same type of questions, just in a more engaging and fun way. The questions also get harder based on the amount you get correct. However, one drawback about this app is that unless you make an account and become a member, it limits you to how many of the practices you can do. This wouldn't be a problem for me as a teacher though, as I would definitely create an account so my class could benefit from this wonderful app!
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From watching the Tech EDGE podcasts, I learned that there are many great apps and resources out there to maximize students' learning. I will definitely be watching more of these podcasts in the future and will be incorporating some of these awesome apps into my future classroom.