iPads in K: Durability and Cost

Recently I was asked to speak on the podcast EduMatters about using technology (primarily we talked about iPads) in my classroom.  One of the questions by the producers asked about the cost of iPads and whether it was a good use of funds.  I wanted to share my two cents with you. 

The basic iPad + case cost our school about $530.  I assume we paid taxes, and didn't get a discount, so lets say about $600 when you factor tax and the few paid apps.  $600 is a lot of money of course.  However, since all iPads survived their 2nd year in kindergarten they will have at least a 3 year life span, the cost would end up being $200 per student.  If they make it another year, it would be less, but for now let's assume over 3 years that cost is $200 per student.  Still a lot of money right?

However...

I did not purchase math workbooks, handwriting or reading workbooks this year (although I did use some blackline masters for reading)... instead I used mostly free apps for skill practice; savings of $40 per student for workbooks/per year ($120 over three years).   That alone would pay for the majority of the cost of iPads over the three years.  Additionally, I did not need new whiteboards, markers or erasers (I usually have to get several new boards a year, a class set every couple of years- say $4 per student, $80-100 every few years).  Sketchio is a free whiteboard app I use instead.  I didn't need new markers at all this year and I would usually go through about 6-10 boxes at approximately $5 each; Savings $30-50 per year. 

Before the class set of iPads the primary classes battled for computer lab time with the older classes and we were talking buying a new mobile lab- problem averted as now k-2 has iPads for much less than a mobile lab would have cost.  We still use the library Mac lab as I want my kids familiar with computer skills too; so we go in when it's not used by another class.

My students have been using the iPads for two years and (knock on wood) none of them have been damaged.  Some that were hand me downs are slightly damaged by the high school students who had them first.  Not to say some iPads weren't dropped occasionally, but a good cover protected them when they did fall.  I never had screen covers and other than a few small scratches the screens have been fine too.  I scratched my personal iPad within my first month of ownership (I think my diamond ring was responsible).

So, if you factor in the cost savings of the workbooks (which I always hated using anyhow) the whiteboards, and not having to purchase a lab of computers (or maintain them), the iPads are a really good deal right?   Especially when I consider the value of engagement, ease of differentiation, and incredible learning I saw the children experience over the last two years,  Certainly they are worth the investment to me, at least.  I'm curious what you think! 

Toca Robot FREE right now! Toca Train now available!

Toca Boca creates wonderful, playful apps.  They are an immediate download for my personal iDevices and I love their free mini-apps (Toca Hair Christmas and Toca Kitchen Monsters) for my classroom iPads- the kids LOVE them too and right now, Toca Robot is FREE as they announce the  launch of Toca Train. So I encourage you to grab Toca Robot today while it's free and give Toca Train a try too- mine is downloading.  I told my 4 yr old about a new Toca game coming last week and she has been asking if it's ready yet every day since!

Privacy and protecting ourselves and our children

A colleague shared a disturbing article about the Teach Me Series, link here (picture is from iTunes store NOT my classroom! :) today at my school.  The Teach Me Kindergarten App is one of my favorite educational apps, they have made a series of apps designed for toddlers through second grade.

Apparently kids photos, and first and last name as well as device information have been sent to a third party site. Luckily it is optional in the program, my students only have their first name entered, and with the iPad1 you can't take photos so my kids info was protected.  I feel very let down by this company and it is a reminder to the consumer/teacher we need to be vigilant to ensure that the very apps that are 'helping' aren't also potentially harming our students or children. 

If you use the Teach Me Series, or plan on using it be sure to not use your last name or use your child's picture. I am disappointed to hear about this and I sincerely hope that the security lapse was unintentional. It is a great reminder though about protecting the children's privacy as well as our own.

 This week as well, LinkedIn, a service for adults, announced 6 million passwords were stolen, and as my husband, the techie says- "it is best to have different passwords for all your different school, home and online accounts.  I know it is a pain to remember them all but if you have a few you like to use and change each one a little bit you will be safer in the long run.  A reminder that you should use at least 8 characters with upper and lower case, numbers and symbols.   Here is more info on the LinkedIn leak:"

http://lifehacker.com/5916177/65-million-linkedin-accounts-may-be-compromised-change-your-password-now

Alphabet Songs

The internet, with all of it's infinite resources was a lifesaver last year when I had a BUSY class of 24 students and no aide in the morning.  I used Tumblebooks, and learning videos to steal a moment to set up the next activity or clean up the last. As useful as they are to keep the attention of wiggly boys and girls while freeing me up for a moment, I only use videos and sites that 'teach' or reinforce skills in ways that are fun, engaging, and 'worthy' of my students' precious learning time.

I use the terrific learning videos created by Have Fun Teaching frequently in my classroom.  There are currently more than 70 videos uploaded on YouTube by them, with alphabet songs, sight word songs, and more.

There are 27 videos in the alphabet song series- one alphabet song and then a song video for every letter.  I credit the songs with helping my students understand the difference between consonants and vowels, not only from the practice of singing along, but I love the visual in the ABC song, with the consonants separated from the vowels.


With the individual letter songs, the letter is shown among the whole alphabet, the letter sound is sung, words beginning with the letter are displayed and spoken in a sentence, and the students 'write' the letter in the air.  Here's an example...



Besides the great alphabet and letter songs, Have Fun Teaching also has many Sight Word Song Videos on YouTube, as well as other sobjects.  I subscribed to their channel on Youtube so I get notified when they add new songs.

Teaching Math Skills with Technology:
Common Core Standards K.OA.2 Add and Subtract within 10

Today's math lesson was a review of ways to add to ten. First, we practiced on our fingers- a tool that is always with us!

Then, we used a great free app- Find Sums by Math Tappers Their description from the iTunes store"MathTappers: Find Sums is a simple game designed to help learners to make sense of addition (and subtraction as a related operation), and then to support them in developing accuracy and improving their speed."

The students used a ten frame and selected numbers that added up to ten. The game tracks accuracy and speed, so the children kept playing to try to get 100% accuracy and fast. I was amazed at how many kids were chanting '8 and 2' '7 and 3' '5 and 5' as they played. They math addends until are are done.  They can also add up to 20, and 100 using the apples.

Right after, We used a deck of cards with A-J and the 10's Go Fish with the cheat sheet printable from www.kidscount1234.com by Shari Sloane "10s Go Fish - This game is played just like "Go Fish." Instead of asking for a card to match your card, you have to ask for a card that would add with one of your cards to make a sum of 10." Thanks Shari for your awesome math games! My students love them.

Using fingers, apples and ten frames, and playing cards my kindergartners "got" how to add to ten!

Counting with Dr. Jean and the iPad

My daughter was using our iPod to listen to some songs by Dr. Jean this weekend and while listening to Techno Count to 100 for the fourth time I thought of how in the past I used Dr. Jeans' music a lot in my kindergarten. Since discovering all the amazing song/videos on YouTube that help my students see and hear and say the ABCs or sight words or count I rarely use my kinder music collection anymore. It occurred to me though, that the songs, especially the number songs my daughter listened to over and over could work great on the iPad. They did! Not only do my students play them and sing along during playtime, but when paired with a good app, they enhance learning. So, I played Techno Count to 100 and had kids open up the Counting Board app (currently free on the iPad). They put all the numbers facedown and touched the boxes as the numbers were announced. I was able to monitor and LOVED the way the students counted along, touching the number as they heard the number. I will be curious to see if the kids who STILL don't know how to count to 100, or identify numbers will do after several days of practicing like this? Then I played The Country Countdown 1-20 song by Dr. Jean and did the same thing-Here's a video of one child in action. It was terrific!

We know that the more pathways to learning, the stronger the learning experience is- in this lesson, my students were hearing, saying/singing, seeing and touching numbers. Later in the day, I played Bingo Bango Bongo (I love the song!) and we used the Counting Board app again to practice skip counting. The color patterns in the app are especially helpful for skip counting!

Connected Science: Science Project, Wiki's, Google Docs, and Skype

I LOVE my Twitter PLN (Professional Learning Network) #kinderchat !  We have been doing some exciting things this year!

My class has joined  Kindergarten classes from Canada, US, and New Zealand to find out if eggs are the same around the world... We are conducting a simple but fun science experiment.  More information can be found here, Eggciting Experiment Wiki, on the procedures and observations with the kids.  There are google docs embedded in the page that we have used to document the project. 

Today my students skyped on the iPad with a K class participating in the project from Vancouver Island, British Colombia- a couple of my students showed their eggs, and her students shared theirs.  The children had a great time sharing their observations.  I love skype play for the converstions and sense of wonder the children have.  They discussed the time (Vancouver BC is in the same time zone as us) weather (they had rain too) and even recess.

Go read this blog... it's what I'm reading today!

Good news/bad news.  The New iPad is out/I don't have one.  

Oh well.  I am consoling myself by reading about what others are doing with their iPads.  And trying to ignore the people who are bragging on their amazing retina display.  Go ahead, brag, you deserve to.  I just don't have to like it! 

For those without, like me, you can read about others' experiences too. 


I follow Moms with Apps  on Twitter @momswithapps and like them on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/momswithapps )- trust me, YOU SHOULD TOO.  Every Friday they host APP Friday, with discounted or free apps!

They shared this blog link today regarding iPad use in Kindergarten:

http://sfsipads.blogspot.com/

So far I've read only a few posts, but I hope you enjoy exploring it too!