iPad n Classroom 1 – iTunes U

iPads may be the next big revolution in classroom technology.  The screen is big, typing is a breeze, and it’s so light you can take it anywhere in the classroom.  Oh… and the battery life is also phenomenal.   SO, is the iPad just another techno geek tool, or can it be used to enhance student learning (ohh… and maybe teacher learning too)?   Not only do I say a resounding “YES” to the previous question, but I also contend that iPads might be the “inexpensive” answer to the one-to-one computing initiatives many districts have.  However, we’ve got to prove that they are worth the dollars we spend, especially in these budgetary times, so I’m going to highlight at least one iPad/iTunes tool a week with a curriculum focus.  Since many of the tools are interchangeable with an iTouch or iPhone, be sure to check out these ideas for even the smaller devices.

iTunes U Downloads– This might be Apple’s greatest gift to education so far.  You may have read about this or even explored it, but there is something magical about FREE!  This week’s Oz Buzz curriculum focus was about one such podcast found in iTunes U - Moments in American History.  Students and even adults can be overwhelmed by too much talking, too many images, and too many ideas presented at once. Short and quick is the name of the game for many resources in iTunes, and Moments in American History sticks to this rule.  Check out more at: http://theozbuzz.blogspot.com/2010/05/itunes-u-moments-in-american-history.html .