iTouch mini apps are infiltrating the airwaves. Science can be brought into the classroom with short videos that are designed to inspire and excite kids of all ages. With topics such as: Chemistry, Convection and Fire, the ScienceHouse app is free and definitely hot! Science Class Experiments are brought to you by Science House and feature Science Teacher Dan Menelly, winner of the NSF Einstein Fellowship in Cyberinfrastructure!
The limitless applications that are available today, usher in a new era in teaching that can motivate and inspire while instruction is differentiated in the classroom. Whether fast finishers have the opportunity to watch an extended science lesson, or those who are more visual learners have an immediate means of seeing and hearing the instruction for a 2nd and even for a 3rd time, video is certainly a compelling way to teach. While choices seem endless, however, limitations do exist. First, not all students can afford the technology. If the school supplies the equipment, it will need to be managed with firewalls and instruction. In fact, apps have a new rating system all their own. As a word of caution, this rating system should be closely reviewed and ranges from 4+, 9+, 12+ and 17+.
While high energy students and short attention spans may be engaged by the always on, fast-paced appeal of video game-like iTouch apps, I wonder if teaching more moments of silence and controlled breathing can help students to regain a better sense of focus and concentration. The upside, is that relevant content can now be delivered immediately, repeatedly, and in a way that is accessible at all times. The downside, is that iTouch apps have an enormous power to engage and at the same time are at risk of being addictive. My hope is for educators to have the foresight to teach students to be responsible with this technology. For more... educational apps click here.
Agree completely about the need to teach kids about the many ways that people learn -- include times of quiet and reflection! I'm reading interesting things from other educators about how, if we don't incorporate some of these tools in school, the "tech" part of their lives is left up to them, and they don't do a very good job of figuring it out.
ReplyDeleteI read an interesting piece a few weeks ago about using the word 'addiction" when talking about kids' enjoyment and attraction to digital tools. This author talked about addiction being a real, destructive, devastating condition, and a very very small number of young people do find themselves beyond the ability to manage the time that they spend in front of screens. But most don't... and still spend too much time there. She thought that it would be a good idea to come up with different terms that would help us as educators know the sorts of support we offer, from referrals to mental professionals to -- much commonly -- good talks and teaching about how we create the conditions in which we can best learn and how sometimes, that means nothing is glowing :)
Science app looks great.
There are some good examples on the Handheld Tech page on the tech wiki of schools setting really clear guidelines and expectations for school use when class sets are provided.
So, have you let any kids use your Touch yet?
Part of your blog post, reminded me of an interesting discussion I had with my MT.
ReplyDelete"While high energy students and short attention spans may be engaged by the always on, fast-paced appeal of video game-like iTouch apps, I wonder if teaching more moments of silence and controlled breathing can help students to regain a better sense of focus and concentration."
After talking to my master teacher (MT), the iPod touch being used for a student who already plays a lot of video games may not be a good idea. My MT thinks this may be a cause of his inattentiveness. Therefore adding a video type app for him to use may not be a good way for him to stay focused- since without this type of engagement, concentration is difficult. I think you brought up a good point with teaching breathing and moments of silence.
Hmmm...teaching moments of silence and controlled breathing with a first grader. Can it be done? Let me know if are able to try this in your class. AEIOUandsometimesthelettery)