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iPad for Teachers?

VerdeVivir said:
any other educators want to weigh in on how they might use the ipad in the classroom or to help manage their workload?
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I just got one to "test" for educational applications. So far everything I can think of is more for teacher stuff than student stuff. I teach high school math and I got my iPad synced to our "everything" software called Aires (grades, schedules, attendance...etc). I can now take attendance by clicking on the student ID picture of the students who are absent to mark them as such. I can also walk around the class to check homework and simply add the appropriate score to each picture synced student as I walk around. I used to have them turn in homework, grade it, then enter it into the computer after school - this is a HUGE time saver.

The school also has plans to run all memos, daily bulletins, and stuff like that through the iPads

As far as class presentations - in all honesty, I haven't come up with anything yet that I can't do better on my SMARTboard. I'm not done trying yet though.
 
PDF Annotation

Aji Annotate is an iPhone app that works great for annotation on PDFs. I don't have my iPad yet (live in Canada :( ) but I plan on using that app to work with PDFs on the iPad as well. They do not yet have an iPad specific app, but I would imagine it's in the works. They also have a corresponding desktop application.
 
That is very progressive and very cool that you can do all these things on your iPad. Also the school planning to do daily bulletins etc with the iPad is great. :)


Obediah2 said:
I just got one to "test" for educational applications. So far everything I can think of is more for teacher stuff than student stuff. I teach high school math and I got my iPad synced to our "everything" software called Aires (grades, schedules, attendance...etc). I can now take attendance by clicking on the student ID picture of the students who are absent to mark them as such. I can also walk around the class to check homework and simply add the appropriate score to each picture synced student as I walk around. I used to have them turn in homework, grade it, then enter it into the computer after school - this is a HUGE time saver.

The school also has plans to run all memos, daily bulletins, and stuff like that through the iPads

As far as class presentations - in all honesty, I haven't come up with anything yet that I can't do better on my SMARTboard. I'm not done trying yet though.
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Any teachers using iPad in school?

I teach Middle School math and love the potential the iPad has in the classroom. But I haven't purchased one because of a major flaw with the design - no dedicated USB port. Yes I know there is one via the camera attachment, but in order to use the Smartboard, you would need both the VGA adapter and the USB port.

I just wanted to see if there are any teachers out the that have found useful ways of integrating the iPad into their teaching. And I don't mean using email and other non-class specific uses.

Thanks!
Harold
 
Retired . . . Nothing to do and all day to do it

HaroldC said:
I teach Middle School math and love the potential the iPad has in the classroom. But I haven't purchased one because of a major flaw with the design - no dedicated USB port. Yes I know there is one via the camera attachment, but in order to use the Smartboard, you would need both the VGA adapter and the USB port.

I just wanted to see if there are any teachers out the that have found useful ways of integrating the iPad into their teaching. And I don't mean using email and other non-class specific uses.

Thanks!
Harold
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Best advice I can offer . . . check out the iPad available apps and see how they fit into your teaching routine.
Teachers and teaching styles differ . . . "one size doesn't fit all". My favorite sources are AppDeals, AppShopper and AppAdvice.
Since you teach Math you might want to start by checking out the scientific calculators and note pad apps (penultimate is my favorite, nice for mathematic operations) then go from there (for student use). I don't know of any teacher oriented or class management apps but I imagine there are some on the horizon.

I don't see the lack of a USB port as a design flaw. Add on accessories were not intended, I believe. IMHO, "add ons" are not needed (for me) plus it diminishes the portability factor (thinking about the many accessories some carry around with their laptops).

Correction: Just checked the App Store. There are many iPhone apps. Do a search for "grade". These, like other iPhone apps, should work on the iPad as well.

Former teacher . . . now retired . . . plenty of time to play with my shiny new iPad :D
 
Using in College Class

I am also interested in ways teachers are implementing the iPad. I teach a couple of college level political science classes and find that I use it mainly to project Keynote presentations. The Keynote is pretty nice, but until they get a better way to send the presentations back to a regular pc (not the huge .pdf files) it is very difficult for my students to use. I find that I can place the ipad on a flat surface and use it much like I Used my prior computer. The problem is when I try to walk around with the ipad plugged in. When I try to do that, I always lose the connection between the vga adapter and the cord to the projector - I use rubberbands now to keep the connection.

I also use google docs for the spreadsheet for attendance, but that does not work as well as I would like.

There is a blackboard app available, but it requires your school to turn it on. I have spoken to my school, but they have no plans on turning on the blackboard ap in the near future.

Right now, the best part is how light and portable my computer is compared to the one I used to lug around. I would love to see a wireless component to broadcast to a projector and that would make it easier for me to be mobile in my class. Also, finding software that makes taking attendance, keeping track of grades, and things like that would be phenomenal.

As a side note, I am also an attorney during the day, and use my ipad everywhere to carry all of my pleadings, briefs and even a copy of the NY CPLR. It is pretty amazing with goodreader.
 
Teacher here...loving the iPad. Main thing so far is the freedom to roam around and still be on school network, Internet including attendance, grades, even website. I teach high school photography, so my interest is a little more specific to the iPad as a photo tool, which to me is a no brainer.

I showed my iPad to my Principal...and he ordered one on the spot...is going to use it for the walk throughs. He wanted to know if he could access the schools 100+ security cameras, but decided very quickly that it didn't matter, he could use the pad just roaming the school. Obviously for a room bound teacher, this has less appeal, but even for me, doing DUTY, even door duty, will be a LOT less painful. I haven't had to do school detention (done for the year with that wonderful use of time) nor morning or lunch duty, but I fully expect next year to take my iPad with me to each wonderful session of duty, especially for after school detention where I am stuck in a remote location for 1.5 hours once a week. Already, I am much more inclined to go stand outside my door during passing periods. Eventually the people will leave me a lone to come look. ;)

Last night, I took a look as a bunch of just FREE education apps. It is so incredibly impressive. I am so happy for Apple. I know others may follow suite...but it is hard to compare something when you don't have the other item in your hand. Apple may have rushed this to market...and probably could have given us a camera. But I am not sure I want students running around with cameras...and I see the initial iPad hitting the schools in a HUGE number. There were already schools ordering apple laptops for every student, such as Pt. Arthur, Tx HS...but the iPad is a MUCH better idea. An administrator stood up in front of the faculty a few weeks ago (I bought my WIFI iPad later that night) and begged teachers to help get the 1.3 million in textbooks all turned back in...said we were missing like 1ks and 1ks last year in text books. The ipad is the solution to that. $500 is a lot right now...but imagine a scaled back education version...and a huge discount...get it down to say $250. This would be HUGE, HUGE, HUGE!!!! Look at the cost of the students Chemistry or Biology book...and how often it has to be purchased to keep up with new curriculum. OMG...I mean...you don't need me to sell you on the application of the iPad in the school...

So, yeah, maybe not the MOST useful, yet, in the classroom for student related activities, but if you like to be on the cutting edge of technology (I do), and want to help your campus move into the next era of school...get an ipad, and start making it work in your classroom...and show your admin.

Drew -- www.drewloker.com/about.htm
 
lokerd said:
An administrator stood up in front of the faculty a few weeks ago (I bought my WIFI iPad later that night) and begged teachers to help get the 1.3 million in textbooks all turned back in...said we were missing like 1ks and 1ks last year in text books. The ipad is the solution to that. $500 is a lot right now...but imagine a scaled back education version...and a huge discount...get it down to say $250. This would be HUGE, HUGE, HUGE!!!! Look at the cost of the students Chemistry or Biology book...and how often it has to be purchased to keep up with new curriculum. OMG...I mean...you don't need me to sell you on the application of the iPad in the school...

www.drewloker.com/about.htm
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I'm not sure why you would think the textbook companies would end up charging less for a digital version than they do the print one. Cash cows are not easily released from their corral.
 
jburns said:
I'm not sure why you would think the textbook companies would end up charging less for a digital version than they do the print one.
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Well, they already are charging less. My wife who is in college gets her books for about 40% less than the hard copy. My only complaint has been the resale of the digital books. Iow, if she buys a hard copy for $120, I can usually sell it for $90. But the digital copy may run $75...but may not be able to be resold.

I think they will come around..we are on the verge of a paradigm shift in text books. I really do believe is...although i am still holding out on buying apple stock. Seriously though. Books cost everybody a ton of money. I won't go into all the details here...because we all know the cost of production, delivery, waste, accounting, etc. I think the industry will come around when the orders of iPads climb as schools invest.

Our school already spent a great deal of money in buying extra books giving each classroom a classroom set...giving every student a book to take home because they pulled the blog on the lockers. Now students run around the campus with these huge book bags because it is not entirely realistic to leave your book at home thinking that you would neverneedit somewhere else. True, some slacker students leave em home...but most students still carry their books around. Point is you have got students trying to be productive and the current state of school text books is very outdated. It's got to change..and the iPad is the catalyst.
 
I'm a high school science teacher and I would LOVE to start using this more in the classroom... I see neat uses for the one bird app, the elements app, and even things like the Lorax book app! However, I thought you could only use the VGA adaptor with Keynote? Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I need to be able to project those apps and use the iPad screen at the same time in order for me to use the iPad like I would like in the classroom!
 
dusters711 said:
I see neat uses for the one bird app, the elements app, and even things like the Lorax book app! However, I thought you could only use the VGA adaptor with Keynote? Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I need to be able to project those apps and use the iPad screen at the same time in order for me to use the iPad like I would like in the classroom!
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Yeah, although i teach photo, I am cert for science...and downloaded a bunch of science apps last night. The periodic table is amazing. Also, I have really dug the stellar apps. WOW!

Somebody did just answer a question about a solution. Apparentlyit is ok to mention this...but until i know for sure (I just gave up on Mac-forums because of captcha kicking my ssa on an iPad no less and a policy against suggesting non apple solutions) check out my thread on VGA solutions. I will give it a try once i get my 3G in (I'm on a wife model right now that i am taking back on Tuesday.
 
I use a Macbook Pro for keynotes in the classroom (middle school social studies), and I was hoping the iPad could replace it, but it cant right now.

The VGA adapter requires that I cannot walk around, and Since there is no IR sensor on the Dock, you are stuck having to either hold the iPad or keep touching the screen. The Apple remote solution with a laptop is currently better. If there was a wireless VGA plug that went into the 30 pin connected, then I will relook into it.

As for the school, I think I have sold at least 10 other teachers on getting one, just because it is much easier to carry around between classes. I do start keynotes and documents in pages, but usually have to do the heavy lifting on my computer I also am reading much more which is a good thing!

Tablets are the future of education.
 
Would like to use one in my class too. Could use iTeleport to link to laptop working my ActivBoard, means I could wander round the class.
 
I use DropBox to sync my iMac and iPad files. I mark my lectures as favorites so it downloads the document to my iPad. All other files are accessible from the cloud. I taught my first four hour university class the other night and it went well. The iPad could save me the trouble of hauling around all my notebooks to various classes. The potential is there for teachers. There is an attendance app that has good reviews. Still looking for a grading app. I have the summer to think about how and if to implement the iPad in the classroom over a regular semester. Let's keep this thread going with ideas.
 
I just picked up the fujitsu scansnap which scans documents into pdf files, it's extremely slick and I've scanned several textbooks into my ipad and use iannotate to annotate and highlight them.

I think it would be slick if instead of handing in documents students could email them to you as you said in docx format then you can convert them super easy to pdf to annotate them. For any non-tech student you can have them drop their paper in the scanner and in seconds it scans it into a pdf and recognizes the text (OCR).

Although with tech the way it is I can't see there being any issue to requiring students to manage their papers electronically. My wife just took a business report writing class and they required she keep all her files on a thumb drive. Once the files are electronic it's quite easy to get them in and out of your ipad.
 
Teacher needing advice on the iPad

I am high school literature teacher and avid reader. I haven't bought an iPad yet and am needing some advice. I would use my iPad for surfing web, streaming occasional video, and as an ereader. I like the iBooks app since it has highlighting and notes. This could be useful to use in my classes if it is possible to display my iPad screen onto screen in class. I know people love their iPad, but I guess I'm trying to justify buying one LOL. It is either the iPad or the nook lol.
 
Hi,

Glad to hear teachers are thinking about embracing the iPad as a teaching device.

You can connect your iPad to a projector, using the VGA connection kit.

I have to say, my english teacher uses it, and because I have an iPad, and because I'm obsessed about technology in general, English has became way more fun, and has helped me learn more since he started using it to teach us.

Of course it's better for me seeing as he lets me use mines in class :p

But joking aside, it provides a way better learning experience for us teens, and is way better than the usual lessons we used to have.

The iBooks highlighting and notes feature really helps us learn more.

So I'd go for it.
 
VGA out isn't supported for everything you see on the iPad screen. Just for apps that provide video out specifically, such as Keynote. That was a big surprise for me. I got the VGA adapter expecting to use it for teaching courses, but I can't just exit Keynote and demo something in Safari, for example.

The video out is very limited.
 
RaceTripper said:
VGA out isn't supported for everything you see on the iPad screen. Just for apps that provide video out specifically, such as Keynote. That was a big surprise for me. I got the VGA adapter expecting to use it for teaching courses, but I can't just exit Keynote and demo something in Safari, for example.

The video out is very limited.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware of that, although my english teacher did have problems displaying iBooks, eventually he did get it working :s
 
i would mainluse it with keynote and iBooks. my thinking was that i could show the highlighted passages and notes from ibook. is this possible?
 
Community college teacher here. I use the iPad during my lectures. It compliments my powerpoint because it allows me to view my notes on the iPad and reference the overhead display. If anything, it allows the instructor to navigate around the classroom. That's my style of teaching anyways. Cheers.:p
 
There's a good app that allows you to project the Internet: Expedition

It works well, and even has a laser-pointer feature.
 
GoodReader just released an update which is supposed to support VGA output. Haven't tried it yet though...

new in version 2.8

horizontal page turning for PDF files (old style vertical page turning is still available in settings)
pre-caching of PDF pages for better page turning feel
support for VGA out adapter
configurable double-page layout for PDF files (single pages, double pages, double pages with front cover)
crop margins for PDF files. Don't let those annoying page margins occupy precious screen space! You can set different crops for odd and even pages.
rotate entire PDF file (useful for incorrectly rotated scans)
other minor improvements
Double page layout, crop margins and file rotation modes are memorized on per file basis.
 
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