Assignments+Continued

ASSIGNMENTS by Julie A. Kruk

__Summary of articles:__
__1. How will the iPad change education?__

__Living in the paper capitol of the world it is controversial to consider a paperless approach to education in the year 2011. Will tablets be able to replace texts? The local providers of paper pulp, in northeastern WI might be wise to learn about the iPad. The concept of paying a fee or taking out a subscription rather than carrying a bookbag seems innovative and desirable. Texts are not able to be updated often enough and reach obsolescence before a school district replaces them for optimal learning. The iPad addresses the issue of updates, useful and related applications, which are readily available and accessed quite effortlessly.__ __The iPad or tablet appears superior to the various electronic readers now available. The E-reader has a singleton use by providing the contents of a book in electronic format. The iPad allows for multiple uses beyond book storage.__ __The Apple iPad is attractive to school districts and staff due to its ample availability and manageable cost. Ease of mobility and the added feature of drawing users together in iPad communities is an attractive quality that students will find appealing.__

__ Reynolds, R. (2010, January 27). // How will the iPad change education? // Retrieved from [|http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/blog/2010/01/how-will-the-ipad-change-education/#] __

__2. Measuring the iPad's potential for education__

__Four years ago, in 2007 the Iphone was introduced in the US and this was just the beginning of a new approach to communicating by voice and picture. The iPad, which was introduced less than one year ago, has impacted positively on classrooms and enhanced the connection between students and teachers. The tablet technology allows publishing and new developments to occur which suggests that this is the beginning of things to come.__

__ McCrea, [|B.] (2010, January 27). Measuring the iPad’s potential for education. __ __ Retrieved from [] __

__1st Article__

2011: What Lies Ahead.

Money is a motivator as institutions decide on delivery methods to students. One district in the South is ordering ipads for all staff and students of a low functioning school. This is response to the need for improvement evidenced by state testing and the No Child Left Behind legislation. With changes in political leadership nationally, quick decisions are being made while financial ability prevails. What will the future hold for districts that do not have funds to make large purchases for equipment as technology impacts delivery of services to students? In the age of open enrollments and school choice, the ipad and other advances could lead the way for schools that flourish and those that do not.

Milliken, M. E. (2011, January 15). 2011: What Lies Ahead. The Herald Sun. Retrieved from []?

__2nd Article__

iPad as E Reader: Glaring Problems, Promising Apps

This article critiques the Nook and Kindle and compares size, cost and accessibility to the iPad. Several components are unique to each yet the iPad’s future is bright as weight, available apps and ease of access to the product make the Apple tablet desirable. Will schools be able to purchase large quantities of this product to allow teachers and students enjoy the technology? Financial concerns also support the purchase of the iPad as it is the most cost effective of the e readers now on the market.

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Strohmeyer, R. (2010, April 3). //iPad as E-Reader: Glaring Problems, Promising Apps.// Retrieved from [|http://www.pcworld.com/article/193389/ipad_as_ereader_glaring_problems_promising_apps.html]  =====

__ 3rd Article __

Apple Adds Special Education Section to the Apps Store

Students bringing cellular devices to schools often are met with opposition yet the iPad from Apple will be able to more openly enhance learning as teachers allow this educational tool for the struggling special needs population. Lower achieving students may lead the way in some districts as the newer technology replaces textbooks and other instructional methods. Some students are perceiving learning as fun.

Watters, A. (2010, October 24) //Apple adds special education section to the apps store.// Retrieved from [|http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/apple_adds_special_education_section_to_the_app_st.php]

__ 4th Article __

The Top Ten Apps for the IPad

This reviewer shared findings on the ten most popular Apps for the iPad since the tablet was introduced and also included a short description of each application. Five of the apps are free and five must be purchased through iTunes App store. This information was primarily prepared for the Mac users and distributed to them in the Bright Hub column of the Mac users guide. The Top Ten Apps reviewed were: Good Reader, Penultimate, Air Video, Real Racing HD, iBooks, Gowalla, ABC Player, AIM for iPad, NPR for iPad and Pages.

Zafra, A. (2010,May9). Top Ten Apps for the IPad. Retrieved []

__ 5th Article __

iPads and Education: It Just Makes Sense

This articles compares and contrasts the use of the ipad as opposed to textbooks in the college setting. The newly introduced iPad costs what a semester of textbooks cost in the past. Shipping costs and wait time are no longer at issue. Only positives were shared with excitement about use of the iPad.

J. Eddie Smith, I. (2010, July 14). //iPads and Education: It Just Makes Sense.// Retrieved August 11, 2010, from Practically Efficient: []

=ASSIGNMENT TWO= __LIST OF TEN APPS AND HOW THEY MAY BE USED IN THE CLASSROOM:__

1. Solar System for iPad Exciting new release which is for exploring colorful pictures and amazing photographs of space. Changes have recently been announced with the discovery of a new planet and heightened interest in this topic appears part of our educational setting. In the classroom, this could allow students nearly instant access to facts as they unfold. Great source of information.

2. Popular Science Magazine Ability to access the electronic version of Popular Science which includes a variety of articles on Science and Technology. The photos in this magazine are able to be displayed at very high resolution and are eye catching and engaging for students.

3. Things for iPad This application would take the place of a paper and pencil style organizer. The ability to maintain electronic lists, and due dates would allow for another type of record keeping for teacher and student.

4. Epicurious This newly released application features 25,000 recipes. What a wonderful resource for ideas and new dishes. Our school has expanded in the area of Family and Consumer Sciences and our Food classes ought to find this application helpful for easy access and depth of variety for student exploration.

5. Labyrinth 2D The game of Labyrinth is a thought provoking electronic puzzle which encourages students to use their problem solving skills while quietly thinking and moving through the puzzle. Students may play quietly and this could be used as an incentive.

6. The Weather Channel This application presents current and forecasts of weather systems based from the focal point provided by the iPad owner. Location can be manipulated while finding weather reports in a wide variety of places. Global views are detailed and scenes are shown on screen as they are on weather reports on television. Our Geography class may appreciate the easy access of information with photos and data.

7. iBook This application is for requesting electronic books from a library of categories of books. Winnie the Pooh was provided with this upload for free. This application works similarly to the Nook and the Kindle as an electronic reader. Another incentive for students could be offered as individuals earn the time to use the iPad for silent reading or exploring.

8. CNN The CNN application provides breaking news stories and the colorful screen allows the viewer to choose from many events occurring across the nation within a short time of happening. This feels like a unique approach to personalizing world events for students. They choose which story to learn more about as the story is revealed.

9. FOCUS: Understanding the Disease When answers are needed to medical questions, this application can be used for research. Under the category Psychology, the following conditions are explained; ADHD, BiPolar Disorder, Depression and Schizophrenia. Focus is another resource for students yet the question and answer format may allow them to learn and think about related issues and concerns.

10. Dictionary An electronic version of a resource book which can provide spelling, definitions, parts of speech, origination, language, usage and a thesaurus without the need to find the library or an out of date, paper copy of a dictionary. At school, this application allows for flexibility and quick response so that students will experience support and nearly instant information.

__Five Additional Applications and How I Plan To Use Them__

1. Questionnaire This application is for medical queries and allows for questions to be submitted, responses given and then stored for future use. This appeared to be another resource for medical questioning yet a problem exists which makes it difficult to move beyond the initial screen.

2. Scrabble The application is for quiet moments for playing a spelling game which can be done during lunch break then saved and revisited.

3. The Photo Cookbook An application that provides recipes, cooking techniques and colorful pictures is fun to browse when planning meals. I hope this will also help me in problem solving in the kitchen.

4. Bakery Story This is a game which attracted me to its App picture. Having a daughter who trained at the Culinary Institute, New York helps me to look for interactive ways to share new techniques and recipes with her for discussion and experimenting.

5. Whole Foods Market Recipes This application features recipes utilizing locally grown foods. Recipes are healthy and colorful while incorporating the richness of the seasons. I am interested to explore various markets that I have visited across the country to incorporate regional favorites.

=ASSIGNMENT FOUR=

__List two audiobooks or ebooks for personal and educational use.__

1. Stockett, K. (2009). //The Help//. Penguin Audiobooks. Presented by Audible.com. Retrieved from [|http://www.itunes.audiobooks]. This is an engaging story of five young women at varied times in their lives. The social and economical standing of each of the main characters is unique and different from the others. Several, major, life changing events happen and are seen through the eyes of the characters. Reactions are diverse and the outcome helps to change personal direction for the women. Recently, I was invited into a book club featuring this selection.

2. Shannon, D. (2007). //A Bad Case of Stripes//. Scholastic, Inc. Audiobooks. Presented by Audible.com. Retrieved from [|http://www.itunes.audiobooks]. The power of peer pressure can be illustrated by use of this story. Students will listen and react to the characters and choices made. There could also be role play activities modeled from this book. Small group instruction would lend itself to use of these lessons and the leader could incorporate the controversial topics as in the audio book yet with actual members of the group.

=**ASSIGNMENT FIVE**=
 * This vidcast is about Personal Development with lessons about concepts such as:**
 * passion**
 * vision**
 * preparation**
 * courage**
 * perserverence**
 * integrity.**
 * These concepts can be used individually or with small groups to empower and teach healthy choices and character development.**
 * [|www.morningcoach.com/page1video]**

=ASSIGNMENT SIX=

Teacher Tube:

Truth Seekers Podcast The search for truth about politics, global affairs, sex, money, religion, gender & sexuality issues..in audio form! []

FiveAA - Breakfast Podcast FiveAA - Breakfast Podcast [] FIVEaa Breakfast Podcast 26/02/10 33:44 2/25/2010 Enda Brady – UK Correspondent – teacher killed herself after ex-boyfriend posted naked photos on Facebook //Queen presented with Buckingham Palace tube station sign during a visit to Aldgate Underground station// Queen’s Bentley broke down

Animoto:

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Valentine: media type="custom" key="8342084"

A British Skit: My Blackberry Isn't Working – Humor [] [...]

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= = =**ASSIGNMENT SEVEN**=

REFLECTION As this class ends, I am in a position to look back and realize some things that have happened since opening the iPad box just a few weeks ago. The impact on my personal life was rather profound as I recognized that this touch pad technology was unfamiliar to me on so many levels. I realized that my classmates were at differing levels of skill and comfort with maneuvering the iPad based upon their familiarity and previous use of smart phones and devices with touch screens. I felt a deep need to “catch up.”

To be able to find my way with the iPad, use iTunes and be able to explore applications and establish a wiki, I needed to devote time to this class, well beyond the meeting dates. I was determined to try. This attitude was born out of frustration, fear, discomfort, a sense of inadequacy and sheer bullheadedness about being able to unravel the complexity of my outdated iBookG4 and inability to update to the latest version of iTunes. This was not anticipated. I experienced moments of not being as technologically savvy as I had thought. I truly did believe that it would be best to drop this class and purchase the iPad but explore it on my own. Many thanks to my teachers for being unwilling to allow this to happen and for remaining positive and flexible. I also experienced your patience with me, which strengthened my resolve. Thank you for the use of a laptop, which solved my most immediate problem. I began to dabble with the iPad and discovered apps and podcasts and vidcasts. I set up email on the iPad and learned about video making. I have a wiki and added photos from my collection. I completed the course requirements. I intend to continue to explore uses of the iPad. I have only begun to use ibooks and am becoming a more accomplished e reader. Managing email on the iPad is unique and different than on a laptop or PC. Use of a calendar, alarms, scheduling tools and document enhancements remain possible. The applications to enhance professional knowledge unfold as I continue to view applications. The application that I presented to the class this evening was: //**My Thought Coach**//, a stin project. This audio collection is a series of recordings designed to teach lessons for individual growth. The application can be used with small groups for instruction around concepts related to mental healthiness. Affirm Power & Confidence Affirmations for Coping with a Crisis Energy!!! Forgive. Stop Obsessive Thinking Think Like a Clean and Organized Person I Love, Honor and Respect Myself Fit and Lean Holiday Think Like an amazing Salesperson Immune system and Wellness booster Lessons range between 4-15 minutes in length. The recordings may be downloaded to the iPad for free. Something that I learned from the presentations of others in this class is that there are many things for many people to be found by using the iPad. New applications are added continuously and are available for exploration. Use and learn. Each person in the class took a personal approach to use of the iPad. Individual interests can lead the way in iPad exploration. What a phenomenal tool for users!