All of you should have the Dragon dictation app. you can use this quite well to dictate notes from discussions in class, study groups, and if you need to recite things and have a transcript. you can also ask your teachers if you can dictate their lectures. hope this helps. O
So many students use flashcards+. I believe that it would be great to have those on the ipad. It saves paper, eliminates loss and is just an all round great tool. I use them for my class vocab.
Another thing I would suggest is to keep up with current events by using flipboard.
I'm a believer in getting everything conveniently in one place, so I like to have all of my references on my iPad, not just a dictionary and some Safari bookmarks but also IMDb, my Mandarin Chinese apps, and Yelp. That way everything can work together.
I would encourage you to share what you find out about the ipad with the teachers who are using them. I have already learned a handfull of cool things, especially related to the key board use. If you have an idea for how I might use the ipad in class - throw it out there. I noticed one of your assignments asks you to think like a teacher, so once you think about it, don't hesitate to share your ideas verbally (in a kind way).
I'm not all that great with writing with my finger on an ipad...especially when in need of diagramming. I tried a couple of different brands of stylus before I settled on a favorite..the alupen. It kind of resembles a chunky pencil, but my hand doesn't get tired holding it. If you prefer to take notes by writing rather than typing, having a good stylus can make a world of difference. Also, if you are into drawing, there is a special art stylus out there called nomad. I think it runs around $24/25 but it might be worth checking out if you like to use the ipad for art.
I would agree with Oman about the dragon dictation app. It isn't great, but it one of the best ones out there. I'll also second the use of a stylus, but I chose the Bamboo from Wacom.
I struggled with how to get the most use out of my iPad for a while, until I settled on a good note taking app. I personally use NoteTaker HD (but there are other great ones out there). Now i have replaced all of my notebooks with just the iPad. The is a lot more room in my bag now, which is nice.
One of my favorite things to do with the ipad is film just using the camera that's part of the ipad. I noticed Miranda filming the orchestra concert this morning. I wish I would carry my ipad all the time, so it would be handy for filming classes or special events. I may film my students (10 - 11 year olds) at recess. Then I can show their parents a clip at our conference.
The iPad is an efficient tool. I recommend using inClass to organize notes, record lectures (after having your teacher's approval), and to keep track of test/due dates. This app can consolidate you backpack load tremendously if you use it as a notebook. It's very visual, user friendly, and FREE!
One general reminder: The iPad is a learning tool that can help or hinder your academic performance. A few teachers have asked me if the iPad is useful or just a distraction. Show your teachers how you are incorporating technology into the class for your benefit. This allows you to have maximum use of the device. I know how cool it is to have access to so many things with the ease of a few taps. Just be aware of the distraction possibility and do your best to avoid it. I think the inClass app will allow you to explore the benefits of the iPad while staying on task in class.
I'm impressed by the extent to which iPad users in my class are using Pages to take notes in class and do writing assignments. I still find the keyboard quite awkward. I've also enjoyed watching students consolidate work, schedules, etc., so there are no lost papers or missed deadlines. If you haven't tried inClass, as Crystal recommends, it's fantastic (with even a reminder alarm like on an iPhone). I also recommend a slew of word games, like Word Jewels, Chicktionary, and Words with Friends, for fun, spelling practice, and vocabulary building.
For science, I recommend making a bookmark on your iPad for all of the textbook resources you might have. This way you can read an online version of your text if you forget your book or you can access the animations or quizzes or lecture notes easily while you are studying.
Also, find a good note card app so you can add to your notecards when you are listening to a lecture.
I have recently found that the app Bento is a neat organizing app. I have one "book" or "folder" that contains a page for each of my students, and it's easy to just grab my iPad and jot down a few notes during a group activity. It's easy to jump from one kid's page to another. I realize that you probably wouldn't have a section for taking notes on different kids, but you could use it for organizing information from different subjects, or subsections of subjects.
I also think it is a great idea for you, as students with iPads, to explore the possibilities of new apps for use in school, and to pass along your findings. You know what you are studying, and you are probably more facile with the technology than many of us, and your opinion about how well an app works for you is very valuable information.
I also really like the website Quizlet. It's not an app, but when you are online, it's a fantastic program with which to make flashcards and to have access to practice games and tests.
I have found that in chemistry, and probably math also, that the iPad is not the best tool to use when taking notes. I would encourage students to go back and use paper and pencil when working with numbers, etc.. You may be missing important notes because you can't take them down fast enough or because you are trying to find subscripts, superscripts, or other symbols on the keyboard. That being said, there are some great apps for chemistry review. One is Mahjong Chem which is great for reviewing elements, naming, and the polyatomic ions.
I would encourage kids to use the dictation app, as well as the mic app to record lectures. of course you should ask your teachers if you can record the lecture. O
If you are wanting to practice your observational drawing skills, I recommend using the accudraw app. You can take a picture of anything around you and lay the accudraw grid over the image to help you understand how to transpose our 3d world onto a 2d surface.
If anybody is looking for a fun app to make a presentation with, try PuppetPals. This is especially effective for History and Lit. presentations. It's incredibly addictive and fun. I even bought the $1.99 add-on (I never do this; I'm very cheap) so now I can turn any image into a puppet. Have fun!
All of you should have the Dragon dictation app. you can use this quite well to dictate notes from discussions in class, study groups, and if you need to recite things and have a transcript. you can also ask your teachers if you can dictate their lectures.
ReplyDeletehope this helps.
O
So many students use flashcards+. I believe that it would be great to have those on the ipad. It saves paper, eliminates loss and is just an all round great tool. I use them for my class vocab.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I would suggest is to keep up with current events by using flipboard.
I'm a believer in getting everything conveniently in one place, so I like to have all of my references on my iPad, not just a dictionary and some Safari bookmarks but also IMDb, my Mandarin Chinese apps, and Yelp. That way everything can work together.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage you to share what you find out about the ipad with the teachers who are using them. I have already learned a handfull of cool things, especially related to the key board use. If you have an idea for how I might use the ipad in class - throw it out there. I noticed one of your assignments asks you to think like a teacher, so once you think about it, don't hesitate to share your ideas verbally (in a kind way).
ReplyDeleteI'm not all that great with writing with my finger on an ipad...especially when in need of diagramming. I tried a couple of different brands of stylus before I settled on a favorite..the alupen. It kind of resembles a chunky pencil, but my hand doesn't get tired holding it. If you prefer to take notes by writing rather than typing, having a good stylus can make a world of difference. Also, if you are into drawing, there is a special art stylus out there called nomad. I think it runs around $24/25 but it might be worth checking out if you like to use the ipad for art.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with Oman about the dragon dictation app. It isn't great, but it one of the best ones out there. I'll also second the use of a stylus, but I chose the Bamboo from Wacom.
ReplyDeleteI struggled with how to get the most use out of my iPad for a while, until I settled on a good note taking app. I personally use NoteTaker HD (but there are other great ones out there). Now i have replaced all of my notebooks with just the iPad. The is a lot more room in my bag now, which is nice.
One of my favorite things to do with the ipad is film just using the camera that's part of the ipad. I noticed Miranda filming the orchestra concert this morning. I wish I would carry my ipad all the time, so it would be handy for filming classes or special events. I may film my students (10 - 11 year olds) at recess. Then I can show their parents a clip at our conference.
ReplyDeleteThe iPad is an efficient tool. I recommend using inClass to organize notes, record lectures (after having your teacher's approval), and to keep track of test/due dates. This app can consolidate you backpack load tremendously if you use it as a notebook. It's very visual, user friendly, and FREE!
ReplyDeleteOne general reminder: The iPad is a learning tool that can help or hinder your academic performance. A few teachers have asked me if the iPad is useful or just a distraction. Show your teachers how you are incorporating technology into the class for your benefit. This allows you to have maximum use of the device. I know how cool it is to have access to so many things with the ease of a few taps. Just be aware of the distraction possibility and do your best to avoid it. I think the inClass app will allow you to explore the benefits of the iPad while staying on task in class.
I'm impressed by the extent to which iPad users in my class are using Pages to take notes in class and do writing assignments. I still find the keyboard quite awkward. I've also enjoyed watching students consolidate work, schedules, etc., so there are no lost papers or missed deadlines. If you haven't tried inClass, as Crystal recommends, it's fantastic (with even a reminder alarm like on an iPhone). I also recommend a slew of word games, like Word Jewels, Chicktionary, and Words with Friends, for fun, spelling practice, and vocabulary building.
ReplyDeleteFor science, I recommend making a bookmark on your iPad for all of the textbook resources you might have. This way you can read an online version of your text if you forget your book or you can access the animations or quizzes or lecture notes easily while you are studying.
ReplyDeleteAlso, find a good note card app so you can add to your notecards when you are listening to a lecture.
I have recently found that the app Bento is a neat organizing app. I have one "book" or "folder" that contains a page for each of my students, and it's easy to just grab my iPad and jot down a few notes during a group activity. It's easy to jump from one kid's page to another. I realize that you probably wouldn't have a section for taking notes on different kids, but you could use it for organizing information from different subjects, or subsections of subjects.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is a great idea for you, as students with iPads, to explore the possibilities of new apps for use in school, and to pass along your findings. You know what you are studying, and you are probably more facile with the technology than many of us, and your opinion about how well an app works for you is very valuable information.
I also really like the website Quizlet. It's not an app, but when you are online, it's a fantastic program with which to make flashcards and to have access to practice games and tests.
Oh...and Flashcards+ is integrated with Quizlet.
ReplyDeleteI have found that in chemistry, and probably math also, that the iPad is not the best tool to use when taking notes. I would encourage students to go back and use paper and pencil when working with numbers, etc.. You may be missing important notes because you can't take them down fast enough or because you are trying to find subscripts, superscripts, or other symbols on the keyboard. That being said, there are some great apps for chemistry review. One is Mahjong Chem which is great for reviewing elements, naming, and the polyatomic ions.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage kids to use the dictation app, as well as the mic app to record lectures. of course you should ask your teachers if you can record the lecture.
ReplyDeleteO
If you are wanting to practice your observational drawing skills, I recommend using the accudraw app. You can take a picture of anything around you and lay the accudraw grid over the image to help you understand how to transpose our 3d world onto a 2d surface.
ReplyDeleteIf anybody is looking for a fun app to make a presentation with, try PuppetPals. This is especially effective for History and Lit. presentations. It's incredibly addictive and fun. I even bought the $1.99 add-on (I never do this; I'm very cheap) so now I can turn any image into a puppet. Have fun!
ReplyDelete