Technology Reflection Assignment: the iPad

Experience

During Friday’s seminar, we learned about the iPad!  Before this seminar, I had briefly used an iPad once, and recalled that upon the iPads introduction into the world of technology, many people described them, essentially, as a large iPhone.   Because of this semnar, however, my eyes were opened to the many uses of this technology.  As students in the Benedum Collaborative Program were able to see the iPads different uses in the realm of education.  The iPad encourages students to become engaged in independent or small group work when it comes to math, reading, spelling, science and other excercises. 

Application

One application that I have found to be available on the iPad is geared towards algebra: using different objects to set up equations and solve for “x”, figuring out various interactive distant=rate x time equations, etc.  While I am not specializing in math, I am tutoring in a math class at Clay Batelle Middle/Senior High School.  I work with a special education teacher who works in collaborative classrooms while I am there.  I feel that this math application on the iPad would be phenomenal to utilize in this math class because it gives students a visual representation of equations in an interactive, engaging way.  When it comes to Distance=rate x time word problem equations, students become a little confused.  I would love to present the concept of these word problems, show the students how to set up tables to solve for the variable and then plug in the equation, make sure they have a solid understanding, and then use the iPads (that are actually available at Clay Batelle) to practice these algebraic questions on this specific application.  This would ensure that students got the information down in their notes with pencil/paper notes and practice, but they also get to practive in an interactive, engaging, educational manner.  I would be able to measure how well they understood the material by checkin their progress on the periodical quizzes given through the iPad application..

Reflection

Because the application reinforces content that is being covered in the math classroom that I am in, I know that students would be reinforcing the content they learned in class by using this application to practice.  Letting the students work independently on the iPad would give them to focus on the subject matter closely, and they could ask questions if they ever get stumped on s specific content.  Independent work in math helps students develop the algebraic concepts by fully focusing on the process of solving for the variables, and figuring out which steps to take next.  This specific application would be extremely helpful in reinforcing the skills they learned on paper in the classroom.

Pedagogy-Content

I would make sure that the students got a lecture of the algebraic concepts that they need to know to move on to the next level of math.  They would need to be fully taught the content before using the iPad to practice. The students at Clay Batelle have used iPads in their classes before, but I have never seen them use them in their math class.  After being taught the content of the math concept, students could move to iPads for practice.  I would only be hesitant to let them practice on the iPad if they couldn’t figure out how to solve for “x” on paper, which they have to do on their exam.

Technology-Pedagogy

This application exercise would require students and instructors (myself and my mentor teacher) how to use an iPad.  The iPad is not a toy in this sense, it is an instructional tool/aid.  I would make sure that the students arent’ opening other applications or folders (as the seminar leader warned us) and that they were staying on task.  Students would learn a great deal about how using an iPad is very beneficial in the classroom when used correctly.

Technology-Content

The Algebra Application would reinforce the students understanding of solving for variables and figuring our word problems using distance=rate x time.  Using the iPad to practice the learned content would be extremely beneficial, as I mentioned earlier, because it would give the students an interactive, more independently engaging representation of various algebraic questions.  Students would definitely be excited to switch up their skills practice and use the iPad to execute math exercises and mini-quizzes.