Journal # 10: Literacy iPads Apps for Teachers

Journal # 10: Literacy iPad Apps for Teachers

Shettel, Jennifer. "Literacy iPad for Teachers." Learning and Leading with Technology. 39.6 (2012): 38-39. Print. <http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20120304?pg=40&pm=2&fs=1

Summary: As I was searching this publication I found a Language Arts section that had a variety of apps that students can use in the classroom for all levels. I focused on the apps for elementary grades because that is the level I would like to teach at. Most of them were free but some of the more involved ones were up to $4.00 which is not bad if you use it for a specific skill the student is working on, or for extra practice. An app called Build a Story allows students to create the illustrations and type of their stories. This tool of reinforcing fictional story elements such as characters, setting and the plot is useful for comprehension. Creativity is involved as well because they are creating their own visual of the story and they can compare their different visuals between their classmates. 

Another app that caught my attention was called Shake-n-Spell. This is a word game that builds fluency and flexibility in spelling, phonics, and vocabulary. You shake the device and it creates a grid of letters that you have to make words out of, similar to the game Boggle. This type of game that helps with many skills in language arts that can be made into an assignment or even practice at home. One thing that I liked about this app is that you can pick the amount of time you have to guess your words, 1, 2 or 3 minutes so it applies to all ages and all learning levels. In class today we discussed how easy it is for students to start using ipads in class. With more students being exposed to this type of technology it will only benefit them in the future of ways to practice and learn on their own in a fun way. 

Q: What are the parents reactions?

When I was growing up and technology made a huge boom in the 90's I was all over the computer and the latest technology. My parents hated the amount of time I spent on the computer but it was because it was new to them, and they grew up in a different era that was not so technologically advanced. By the time ipads make it to the majority of classrooms most parents will be pro technology because they will have grown up with them and made their children just as experienced as they are. 

Q: How could I use this in a second grade classroom?

In the second grade children are already learning how to read, comprehension, and spelling. Because they will be exposed to technology it will be beneficial to make an assignment out of these apps that they will already be familiar with. Having an app as practice will be a fun way to help students keep up with their learning as well as be useful for an assignment.