iPad for Education

Here is a handy list of educational iPad uses from teacher librarian Lydia Smith-Davis, M.Ed of Orange Lutheran High School in Davis, CA:

From EdTech Teacher (ETT)

The iPad as.....

Over the past few months, iPads have exploded throughout schools and classrooms. Their flexibility, versatility, and mobility make them a phenomenal learning tool. In webinars and blog posts, we have talked about the iPad as....

• Reader
• Creator
• Student Response System
• Classroom Manager
• Study Tool
• Organizer
• Differentiator

In this section, we take a similar approach as with our Great Tech Tools. In order to help educators integrate iPads effectively, we have compiled a list of apps focused on learning goals consistent with the CRCD framework. While many of these apps have also appeared in our iPads in the Classroom section, this list is driven by specific learning goals that promote critical-thinking, creativity, collaboration, and the creation of student-centric learning environments. 

iPad Learning Objectives

1. I want my students to record and edit video on the iPad. 
2. I want my students to record and / or edit audio on the iPad. 
3. I want my students to read class content on the iPad. 
4. I want my students to annotate course readings on the iPad 
5. I want my students to be able to use audio books on the iPad. 
6. I want my students to use the iPad as a digitial notebook / note-taking device. 
7. I want my students to use their iPads to create screencasts to share and demonstrate their understanding.
8. I want my students to create presentations on the iPad. 
9. I want my students to create digital stories on the iPad. 
10. I want my students to be able to study with the iPad. 
11. I want to use the iPad as a student response system. 
12. I want my students to create written content on the iPad. 
13. I want my students to blog on the iPad.
14. I want my students to create ePubs / iBooks to read on the iPad.

Skype for Teachers: "Skype in the Classroom"

Skype is that free voice and video site purchased by eBay several years ago.  It is my preferred way to have a live discussion while sitting at my computer.  With or without the video, the audio is fine when you have a good computer, broadband, and a quiet office.  Even if the room is noisy and somewhat chaotic (like a classroom of antsy students), the audio with video is powerful.  Given most school libraries have wireless Internet, thanks to annual Federal E-Rate funding, Skype is an ideal way to bring authors, scientists, college admissions officers, and other guests to the schools.

Skype's special site for teachers is worth checking out, even if it is mis-named.  Skype in the Classroom should be "Skype in the School Library".

AutoTune - Music Tool Makes Everyone Singer Sound Good

Have you been following the Auto-Tune saga in music? Auto-tune automatically corrects pitch so almost anybody can sing and sound good. It can even take spoken voice and make it sound like a song. Now there's an iPhone app for it instead of having to buy the equipment/microphone.

Here is a funny example (one with the microphone and one with the app) by "T Pain", the rapper who popularized it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITT6bYYGVfM&feature=related

AudioPal - widget adds audio to your site

Add another layer of communication to your website, blog, or other web 2.0 tool with AudioPal. To order, you need to first call and add your voice by phone. Enter a passcode. Preview (listen). Then type in your e-mail address so you will get AudioPal e-mail with with link for your voice message. Could be useful for school or library websites or blogs. Could be used for an opening greeting or regular messages.

Features include:

• Record and use your OWN voice
• Select from a number of voices (TTS)
• Playback controls
• Update your audio anytime
• Free
  

AudioPal is a companion to SitePal, which lets you add talking avatars.

Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools for Young Learners - T.H.E. Journal

T.H.E. Journal carried an article on the "Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools for Young Learners" in its February 2009 online issue. Author Chris Riedel's article covered an interview with educational technology consultant Gail Lovely, who presented her Top 10 Tools list at the FETC 2009 Conference in Orlando, FL. Gail's list of young learner tools included:

1. WIKIS (3 examples): wetpaint, pbwiki, wikispaces
   
2. Blogs (4 examples): Blogger, Class Blogmeister, 21 Classes, Gaggle
   
3. VoiceThread - voice and image.
   
4. Glogster - interactive posters.
   
5. Skype - communication. video window.
   
6. Animoto (education version) - mini music videos for kids.
   
7. YackPack - Yackety-yack! Voice-driven communication.
   
8. Create a Graph - easy visualizations of data.
   
9. Voki - design fun avatars.
   
10. Kerpoof - create movies, scenes.

In her presentation, Gail pointed out that the list is not as important as what teachers will do with the tools. She showed how teachers were using these with their students. Check it out!

CITATION: Chris Riedel, "Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools for Young Learners," T.H.E. Journal, 2/2/2009, http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23898

Welcome Song for "23 Things" - web 2.0 tutorial

SF Chronicle Librarian Richard Geiger alerted me to a "23 things" tune that is on the Special Library Association site. It takes a while to download. But it is fun. Sung to the tune of "26 Miles" by the Four Preps. Richard and Tim DeWolf produced a "hit" tune for all the librarians who have or have plans to learn web 2.0 tools.

TOXBOX - Live video chat for Facebook and Desktops

Hear the news of Yahoo! job cuts? Well, word has it that web-based videoconferencing chat company ToxBox has set up a taco food stand outside Yahoo! headquarters to collect names and resumes of prime candidates for new hires at this company. There are always winners and losers in war and economic downturns.

San Francisco-based ToxBox has a simple home page that promotes: • Super simple video calling• Nothing to download• Absolutely free. ToxBox's video chat service has a Firefox add-on for Facebook and a Desktop software version.

Video chat services from a number of companies make the Dick Tracy video watch a reality.

Mobility@Your Library - #9 Programs

Here is #9 of 10 categories of how libraries use mobile devices.

#9 - Library Programs.

• Library Programs – Podcast or video. Author & illustrator visits; other Guest speakers. Read-Alouds. Poetry Slams. Book Club discussions
• Library-Recommended Programs. Library of Congress and other national forums. University lecture series. Endless possibilities
• Library Tours and Exhibits. Writing contests or book displays – Audio tours. See GuidebyCell or iPod tours (iTours). See also podcast-based library tours.

EveryZING - search spoken words within videos

American Libraries Direct 10/23 carried an item about EveryZING and its universal search technology for online audio and video.

"New media player allows spoken-word searchEveryZing, a media indexing company, is launching its own media player that lets people search for spoken words within videos. The new video player, called MetaPlayer, uses technology the company already has in its ezSearch and ezSEO products. On sites that support it (the first announced is the Dallas Cowboys site), users will be able to type in a query in the video player and see where the term entered comes up; they can then jump to that spot....Webware, October 22." Note: Making videos more searchable is good for users, but the bottom line is advertising -- it allows marketing programs to be attached to particular points in a video, possibly automatically. Humm.