week #6 group 6 current events

A website that we found was titled: "Study Finds Benefits in Use of iPad as an Educational Tool."  We all agreed that Apple iPads were very useful in the classroom.  The website we chose is about a school in England for students age 11 to 18.  This website shows various results of students as well as teachers using iPads.  Results show that the iPad not only helps students but it also helps educators.  If both benefit from using the iPad thats always a plus.  It is such a great creation.  We also agreed that iPads are an important tool for our classrooms and they are very useful.  As for the Android based tablet we felt that it would be "okay" but not as "good" as the iPad.  Cabinet laptops are good to have but the iPad is much more portable.  And as for the traditional desktop computer stations thats always good to have because students should also know how to use desktop computers as well.  But iPads are still always an excellent thing to have in the classroom!!

http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/07/study-finds-benefits-in-use-of-ipad-as-educational-tool/

Week #3 Current Event

Differentiating Learning with Technology

Second grade teacher, Robert Pronovost helps his students to really understand math.  He not only makes learning fun but he takes time to make sure that each and every student understand what he or she is doing.  He gives his students differentiated learning.  Once his students feel comfortable with addition and subrtraction words such as "all together" and "take away" he then starts his students on computers.  He uses a program called Planet Turtle.  Planet Turtle gives the students immediate feedback which helps Robert to really help the students who may be struggling.  Not only does he use pencil and paper to teach the students he uses all sorts of technology that he got from free trials and or grants.  They use white boards, iPod touch, Dream box, and hands.  This is an excellent way to teach and work with students.  He has seen a much greater improvement in his students than in previous years.