Whether you are a novice or veteran at teaching with iPad—if you’re looking for ways to make the most out of iPad, this article with iPad tips for teachers is for you.
Meet Kristen Brooks and Carla Jefferson, two teachers who have a ton of experience teaching students and educators how to use iPads. In this article, they share how to get started with iPad, their best advice, and so much more. Here are the highlights from our conversation.
What’s your advice for teachers who are just getting started with iPad?
Kristen: Start small and start simple. There are a lot of trendy apps. Too often, teachers start with making a list of apps they’ve heard about or like. I caution against this as it’s easy to take on too much. My suggestion: start with the built-in Apple apps. Learn to use Keynote or Pages. Then teach your students. Come back to the same app, but try different activities. It might surprise you how students will remember and use the app more readily without your help!
Carla: iPad is a powerful creative tool. I recommend teachers get started with 30 Creative Activities For Kids. Teachers can learn how to use the iPad with their students through fun activities like finding shapes in nature and drawing to personify an ordinary object. Another suggestion: every Tuesday at 6 p.m. PST, there’s an #AppleEDUchat on Twitter that anyone can join and is a great way to connect with other teachers to share ideas and ask questions.
How can teachers use iPad to engage students and give feedback?
Carla: iPad makes it easy to give students a choice in how they show what they’ve learned. They can take a picture of their work and draw on it, they can record themselves talking, or they can decide to make a video.
Kristen: I love using Markup for giving students feedback. If students submit a picture, you can write on top of it with your finger or Apple Pencil and send it back. I can use my iPhone and mark up student work even when I’m away from school or my desk and send it back to students through the learning management system our schools use. I also recommend using the Notes app to give students feedback. This is an excellent tool for Project-Based Learning (PBL).
What iPad tips do you think all teachers should know?
Kristen: Use iPad devices to teach students organization and time-management skills. Teach them how to set alarms and reminders. Show them how to talk to Siri. This helps students be more independent and teaches skills they’ll need as adults.
Carla: If you have an iPad for teaching, sign up for Apple Teacher, a free program that will help you learn everything you’ll need to get the most out of the device. At our school, we have Flex Fridays, a shortened day for teachers, so there is time for us to go through the program resources to learn news skills on iPad, earn badges in the Apple Teacher Learning Center, and get recognized as an Apple Teacher.
My second tip: if you haven’t considered using Schoolwork, an app that helps teachers both save time and maximize each student’s potential—what are you waiting for? No one wants to send or receive 100 emails a day. Schoolwork makes it easy for you to distribute and collect assignments, monitor student progress, and collaborate one on one with students from anywhere, in real-time. Talk to your technology manager or IT team to help set up Schoolwork for your class.
Interested in leveling up your iPad skills? SIGN UP FOR THE FREE APPLE TEACHER
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