This weeks chat is hosted by Ruth Smith and Pamela Aggie, the topic is: reaching all learners with iPad
Q1 Which accessibility feature has had the most impact in your classroom?
A1 Speak selection is the most powerful feature in my classroom at this point.
Other answers: My favourite feature is the read back feature as it allows pupils to develop independence. Pupils are able to check their independence to be able to check and edit their own work. I've changed the brightness and contrast to help support children with visual difficulties, even somthing simple like reducing the motion and making the dock less transpaarent can make a big difference. Speak selection; makes iPad accessible to those that can't read yet. Definitely voice over and dictate. Speak selection has had the most impact in the classrooms that i've worked in, makes the iPad and texts so much more accessible to those who struggle to read. Has to be voice over. Brightness and contrast are very nice for pupils, also read back function. For me it's teaching pupils to use siri to spell words for them when completing literacy tasks. I find the invert colours option to really help pupils read music on the iPad. I think it's not 1 feature but the fact theirs million, the iPad allows students to create/present/share/collaborate in the ways that suite them best as individuals. Colour filters have also had a positive impact in the classrooms i've worked in too. Voice to enter tekst it's so useful for dyslexic students. Minimized their frustration with the outcome of their efforts, when working with tekst or producing bits and pieces for media. Safari reader view with speak selection/screen transformed studying, throw in splitscreen with notes and you're cooking. By far zoom selection has been a huge hit. Great for in class demos when you want to highlight certain areas of a screen or show pupils extra information. Love using siri in maths to compete with too. Also the speed at which it read backs to pupils, I can adjust to the pupils specific needs. For me it has to be voice over, it's a fantastic tool for all learners. We've reduced motion on all iPads under the MDM, this has had a big impact on some of the children and their length focus. They all have their place, as different children use different tools, big players in my class are speak screen, colour filter and dictation. We also like to use keynote live at times for looking closely at lessons, we've just started to use siri recently. The tekst-to-speech feature really helps the more dylexic students cope wiht assignments and texts, so useful! Speak selection for my beginning readers and writers. Dictating into notes, simple yet very effective. For me it's guided access. Have some spirited cherubs in my class and it really keeps them on task.
Before classroom app we used guided access in digital tests, but i think speech selection is really useful. By the way, i find the brightness feature also very helpful to myself, some days i just likt to tone it down. Assistive touch has also had big impact for our younger learners. We have them customise it to one control - BOOM 1 tap screenshot. I think the best features are not always the 'obvious' accessibility ones for me it has to be typing feedback - the fact that students can get the phonetic or actual letter name makes this a winner. This editing and improving your work is important in developing your writing! For me it's definitely speak selection, in Science keywords are vital so the ability for iPad to read these is fab. I think it is great that you can completly personalize it tot the needs of the pupil. My AEN students adapted to siri quickly, however they also found out that is can tell them the football scores. Allowing learners to record their voice to demonstrate their knowledge as opposed to having to type or write. With Siri they can still get it written but takes less time so less frustrating. Love using Siri for setting the time in different situations of learning. For example, when students have to fulfill tasks in partner or group work. I have to say i use guided access quite a bit with my youngest learners, I will set an iPad up for collaboration with stop motion and green screen and see which children will take on the challenge and persist through these apps. Secondary students use Siri quite a bit, but in terms of multi-touch books, scrolling view and speak selection are brilliant. For all learners speech to tekst great for checking pronunciation is correct in French. Boys have better possibilities to make a 'nice' job for example in form of digital portfolios.
Q2 In what ways have used iPads to break down barriers to learning?
A2 Using the iPad in a 1:1 situation makes it possible for every student to access learning resources anytime anywhere (in school because the iPads stay in school)
Other answers: I find pupils much more willing to have a go on iPad based tasks, even if it just a direct substitution. A blank page is scary, a blank iPad screen inspires. Add in the options for non writing ways to show learning like audio and video, you're on to a winner. I used iPads in different ways to break down barriers but the main one is to remove that pen and paper barrier and allow them to show their true ability. Pupils who have only been able to write a few words and can now write outstanding pieces of writing. Having 1:1 devices enables inclusivity for every learner. Pupils with visual problems no longer required enlarged worksheets or books. Pupils who lack confidence can speak their ideas in to the iPad, the list is endless. Because of all the ways you can show learning through the iPad: tekst-drawing-writing-keynote-film-stop motion. This way a pupil can choose the way he wants to express his learning. One of the best ways to use the iPad to break down barriers is by allowing kids to use speech to tekst, typing with your face levels the playing field. Breaking down barriers built by tradition, change students attitude towards learning, by making it a more personal expierence, doing things differently than their parents did at school. Getting kids to speak a foreign language into their iPad helps to take away the fear of getting it wrong. Also means i get to hear every kid speak, in every lesson should i choose. Using apps like Seesaw and BaiBoard as an icebreaker for peer assessment allows pupils to discuss work and ideas. Dictation in Clips and other apps has really helped our children with dyslexia to fully express their creative ideas - removing the barrier of typing with the keyboard is incredibly motivating. I've used iPads in so many different ways, but particular as a leveller in a classroom, resources can be tailored to the needs of individual children but the 'look' of the support remains the same for everyone, Had a massive effect, especially in UKS2. If reading literature is hard for someone, you can listen to the novel. If your hand is broken and you can't write, you van do the assignment orally. The possibility of co-writing is important too. Verbal feedback using Seesaw or Explain everything has been a big game changer as children get quick understandable feedback. Videos of concepts have also really helped children go back to secure understanding, keynote live is simple but let's everyone see slides. We have powerful tools to give real access to learning. Accessibility gives the option to zoom in on anything or have tekst read to you, you can speak instead of type and use tools to make navigation simpler, it's great for all learners. Both text-to-speech and speech-to-tekst are so useful to allow students with dyslexia to participate in much the same way as their peers. And students with poor handwriting now find it much easier (and fun!) to take notes in class. Using the camera and iMovie/clips for pupils to self-assess enables them to produce so much more and higher quality work rather than writing. I love using Padlet to get ideas from those learners who don't normally pipe up. And when the pupil expressed learning a certain way a few times you are able to challenge them to pick a different one, one they might find more challenging. Using short video clips can allow children to watch an explanation more than once, simple but does have an impact. I've had UKS2 boys who have used the math learning center number pieces app to support them with their maths learning who would never have used the physical equipment in their classroom as they were embarassed too - this way, they were just 'using' an iPad. Yhe mobility of the iPad means that there are no barriers, learning can happen anywhere, students no longer struggle with producing work that is just about good enough they now schine, everybody needs to feel successful iPad provides that. Split screen is a game changer! Apple Classroom on one side, any other app needed on the other, love it! The fear of letter formation when you have fine motor skills difficulties is a great barrier to break when using the iPad, you can display knowledge and understanding in so many different ways. I found getting learners to write blogs to record their work digitally dramatically increased the quality of work that they used to produce in their exercise books. If you're not actually assessing their writing why not let them show their learning through adio, video, pictures etc? Examples from all depts: using Explain everything to film and talk about physics concepts when struggling to write down, spilt screening Shakespeare tekst with video of play, recording video turorials on iTunesU to go at own pace/review. Also, since students have all their notes and books in the iPad, they'll never forget their notebook again! With iPad there are so many different apps and ways of learning so you can always find different ways to reach all learners. As a secondary trained teacher I don't often see students for more than 55 minutes a week. Students air dropping Apple TV allows us to celbrate work more than ever and gives students purpose. It's not just an iPad, it's the way we learn our pupils, they feel comfortable about tech and we give them this oppotunity, they can draw, sing, create books/movies, solve math problems with one device. Garageband allows pupils to play guitar. Bass or violin using the strings and finger positions rather than using an electric piano with different sound because that way they are still just playing piano. Mobility is definitely a bonus! We have a weekly session where parents work with their children at maths each week, they sit all round the staff room, where ever they are comfortable. Shy students, who not will speak in groups, got the possibility to reach out to the teacher, but even to their class mates. I find that children demonstrate their learning and creative processes through different ways using the iPad. The all encompassing nature of the iPad is what makes it is an ideal tool for learning. Technology can be a great equaliser at times and allowing pupils the opportunity to share their learning in a meaningful way for them goes a long way to breaking down barriers. Apps like Seesaw and Showbie also allow teachers to leave verbal feedback for those children who would struggle to read their comments, a real evaluative dialogue can now be evidenced for those children who need it the most. Pupils who often stuggle with reading or comprehension can see tekst clearly, zommed in or can have it read aloud to them, similarly, pupils who may not excel at writing can make a wonderful video or interactive slideshow that showcases their knowledge. In many ways, for example, enabling different ways of demonstrating learning (books/videos etc) and with iTunesU courses with content targeted for both those who need extra support and for those who want to learn more. For me Seesaw has really helped! I've had children explaining concepts that is written would be a couple of paragraphes of high level thinking but because it's verbal they don't realise, skills for the 21st century. I think just the simplicity of mirroring and modeling quality class work is huge aid for struggeling students. I'm using iPad for students with disabilities, great to see how they can take part in class again. When I use printed worksheets, I create QR codes instead of url's for further informations, the students scan them by using the iPad QR code scanner to get there, very nice and convenient, for me too!
Q3 Can you share about how using Apple technologies has helped engage hard to reach learners?
A3 Less motivated students are more engaged in lessons, using technology AND the possibility to use a variety of tasks/assignment AND the fact that I can see what they are doing is a +
Other answers: In my nurture class most of the children were really disengaged and wouldn't try tasks they felt were 'too hard' I never heard them complain like this about iPad based tasks (even when they were more challenging than the traditional ones) Using CCTV has really engaged my hard to reach learners, I have had pupils asking me: Can we check the CCTV miss? They have then gone on to produce some great writing from it. iPad had enabled independent learners, our pupils choose how to present their work. It is a resource where they can instantly find answers. They can share work with a global audience, pupose & effect for their work. Pupils who usually struggle to present their work can use a range of apps to develop high quality presentations. A lot of my children used to ask 'what's the point?' - iPads provide a real audience and purpose, so when that piece of writing is needed as part of an iMovie or a script for a DoInk video, suddenly, the engagement is so clear. Letting my students with learning problems give iPad lessons to the eldery. I like how you can take the device anywhere, sometimes the classroom is not the appropriate place to learn at certain times, portability is a great asset and then while you are out and about you get to create your own resource library. Classroom has been a game changer, you can see what everyone is doing assess those who struggling far more discreetly and send them the tools to succeed without anyone else knowing, they are making amazing progress. iTunesU allows students to work through resources at their own pace. A lot of them have found their thing - something they love and feel confident doing - throught using iPads and iMacs for coding, animation, filmmaking….many of them are digital leaders. Being able to engage students with creative activities such as animation, drawing and speech recording activities engages many more students in foreign language learning. Using 1:1 iPads increased student responssibility for their learning and the work on iPad shows pride in what they do, they often can't wait to show others, been using swift playgrounds and students are coming to lesson having completed what i had planned! iPad enables learning outside the classroom, you'll see our pupils: outside, in corridors, in green screen areas, learning at home. Using a range of animation tools to bring learning to life. It's more personalised: pupils have greater freedom of choice in terms of the configuration of their device, the resources they use, how they interact with material, methods of presentation and creation. I work at an international school where not all student speak English as a first language. Using the iPad to quickly translate key words is incredibly useful for these students. Not accessibility specific, but we have a pupil who struggle socially, short attention span, prone to calling out, iPad is the equaliser for him, has quickly become a star in class, especially using swift playground, he's a coding machine and knows his stuff. Bookcreator has helped zo much on collaborative and project based learning. I give certain students a special job to be special researcher and look stuff up online during class discussions. When pupils are able to see instant results and actually able to produce real life products on the iPad. Without the tech we would still study the history, theory and maybe plan or design a product but not actually create it. Another way in which the iPad engages those hard-to-reach learners is by allowing them to participate easily, either through iTunesU or Padlet, files, assignments and feedback are a tap of the screen away. Clips, bookcreator have really inspired and engaged learners to show their work, increasing confidence in writing and maths. Just started using Flipgrid and this giving kids a voice to share ideas. Choice is key, children love the freedom to create, also pages has grabbed hold of poor writers. The most important thing is increased motivation, it's great to be able to publish texts and assignments, you can see how it motivates! The best part of teachers' work is to notice that a student has developed his own voice. I love to use apps such as clips to engage learners who like different form of communication. Coding has been a gamechanger, had some amazing results with pupils who needed something extra or a reward. Using stop motion to explain knowledge is a fun, exciting way, has been great using tellagami, adobe spark and stop motion. Studetns have a variety of ways sharing their learning whether through green screen, stop motion or book creator, even my hardest to reach learners share their story. For disengaged students the idea of make a clips video or having a photo of their practical posted on Twitter in a lesson is a huge incentive. Choice is the magic key, the simple realisation that it doesn't have to be written with a pen or types that their work can be presented in multiple different ways. I had a pupil whow always failed at dictations and written tests, instead of just written words, we let him create video stories with the words and boards in Bitsboard, it helped and he found his way for learning new words. In 1:1 environment it's easier to reach, communicate with and see the work done by those students who are not very active in the classroom, students are not forced to use one tool or source of information, they can choose, which makes them more engaged and productive.
Q4 How can you create individualised learning expierences with iPad?
A4 Difficult question. With QR codes I share digital forms (microsoft or google) with questions, I can see the results real time (more or less) based on their answers I give students a next task, mostly from jufflohr.yurls.net, and also: students ar free to show me what the learned durimng my lesson, they can use clips or write their answers in OneNote in their learning dairy.
Other answers: Using creative apps like book creator can tailor learning to individuals, or making tailored activities in explain everything or through Seesaw activities, Apple Classroom is a fantastic way to do this too. Using iPads allows students to personalise their own learning you can set pupils a task and they can pick which app or apps they use to lead their own learning such as some may create a video whereas some may create a comic strip, all reaching the same outcome. Children can choose how to present their work, be it through making a movie, rap, keynote, Clips, that's been the game changer for us developing independent learners. With Showbie i can give differentiated assignments to individual students without others knowing. I like the Apple Classroom feature to share specific tasks with specific students, this can be used to respond to the different needs of the students. Being able to create templates in Book creator app that can be differentiated to meet the needs of the children in the class is so useful. The iPad is a vehicle for personalised learning and differentiation! It mad my life as a teacher so much easier. We used Book creator to keep an on going progressive;y harder problem solving book that students could dip in and out of as they pleased. The students have the opportunity to create. You won't be dissappointed. I think this is happening in younger years in the UK but KS3/4 seems to be lossed to exam pressures out on schools. Provide pupils with a range of resources which, so they can choose which anes they want to use, also don't specify how work should be presented, give pupils success criteria and allow them to meet it however they want. I like to use Showbie to create individual and shared learning opportunities. Within the tasks there are always opportunities for childre to make decisions about workflow, today a group used the camera and markup to record area and perimeter, inspired! Give them a choice, which level of difficulty to engage wiht, which aspect of the main topic? Sharing, providing, offering materials, ideas to start with so easy, effortless, iTunesU helps to keep it all-in one place for the learners. Using digital portfolios I can mark, assess and give feedback to students and set individual tasks. With the help of different apps, based on pupils abilities. Seesaw has been a tool for documenting students as individual and collaborative learners. On some courses my students can choose their assignments and the grade they want to get, different materials, different ways to carry out the task, different apps to choose. Personalising learning has become so much easier now that students have iPads. There is a host of apps available to differentiate between the different needs of students but even simply putting all material in iTunesU already allows for differentation. Without tech, students are offline and have limited acces to resources, having connection to the world outside your class is for me the number1 factor to create personalized experiences. Voice and choice is so important, trust learners te self select the best tool for the task, which app best shows what they know. We have book creator digital portfolios that allow the pupils to showcase their individual successes both in and out of school. iPad can provide students with choice for how they learn to best suit their learning style, they can show their understanding on paper and photograph or video this and add to clips to add audio narration to explain a concept or work completely on iPad. Being able to share multiple differentiated resources at a click of a button allows pupils to always be challenged whatever their level. We use iTunesU and Showbie to differentiate assignments and provide students with versatile learning material, also alternative ways of showing what they have learned (portfolios, books, videos) written and audio feedback. The iPad is a mobile multimedia educational game changer that can provide every student with a voice and choice. By showing the children the skills and giving them projects stimulus to make it their own. At the end of a unit I explain what I would like them to demonstrate and it's up to them how they do it; green screen, app smash, keynote, of explaination video, their choice. Creating assignments and give students options to work on the assignment, create a book in book creator app, make a video in iMovie or Clips or create a report in pages. A combination of Google Classroom and Showbie to give children work where they decide the entry level and challenge, they can then choose how they record their work any way they like be it book creator app, clips keynote spark page or whatever: it's their learning.
Q5 What are you favourite accessible apps?
A5 Some of my students (mostly the ones with dyslexia) are using the colour filters.
Other answers: My favourite accessible app is Apple Classroom, even being able to take away the need for pupils to remember te sequence of how to open up an app is game changing. The teacher can just open it up for the pupils at a tap, takes away the fuss and setup. My favourite apps which are accessible to all users have to be book creator app for the various accessibility functions, Clips and Chatterpixx as it allows pupils to adapt their learning and Popplet as they can organise their thoughts easily. Explain everything is still a massive winner for me, simple to use and it's also flexible, it can be used to create content in different forms. Not an app but the operating system. For me the feedback it has to bee Seesaw and Showbie and in terms of accessibility book creator and Clips. Both apps allow the children to create freely and easily without being held back by lack of accessible features. Any app has the potential to make learning more accessible: keynote animation to explain complex topics, record science experiment, pop it into iMovie, students record their thinking/learning over video, clips titles to improve reading fluence etc…. Simple one for me, the camera app allows students to record practical work design sketches and peer assignment. Not an app but a function: screen record on iOS 11 allows for so much explanation to take place. Clips is an incredibly accessible app for all levels, ages and subject areas in a lot of ways, it's the most powerful video creation and editing app as it is ease of use enables us to reach more learners and allows students to flourish creatively. Hmmm I think all the apps are my favourite, the way an iPad works with all it's possibilities is the key to reach all different learners in my class. Apps like Book creator, padlet, Clips, iTunesU etc are essential dfor creative students who would otherwise be lost in a pen and paper environment, nothing wrong with pen and paper, but it's not for everyone. For me Workflow, it connects a lot of features together. An accessible activity not just an app for me is the All About Me project in keynote, that has given pupils a change to express what's important to THEM, using an awesome app, we've had so many unique examples shared. Not an app but a function, display accomodations, helps so many students but also seen as a cool tweak to many students, iPad hiding the different needs for students. Not sure about an app, all the iOS features can be useful, probavly clips can help to record your voice in a second. I like to use the files app to organize my teaching stuff by using the tagging feature from the first to the last lesson of the day, while teaching I share parts of my tagged files with the students by using AirDrop. Another great accessibility feature is tekst reading function, helped some of our students who need additional support, they gain independence vs support reading for them. For me it's screen record on iOS 11, makes it easy for me to make videos and children to share processes, the speech to tekst feature on clips has also changed so much, the way children can verbalise sentences over an image is really developing writing confidence.
A1 Speak selection is the most powerful feature in my classroom at this point.
Other answers: My favourite feature is the read back feature as it allows pupils to develop independence. Pupils are able to check their independence to be able to check and edit their own work. I've changed the brightness and contrast to help support children with visual difficulties, even somthing simple like reducing the motion and making the dock less transpaarent can make a big difference. Speak selection; makes iPad accessible to those that can't read yet. Definitely voice over and dictate. Speak selection has had the most impact in the classrooms that i've worked in, makes the iPad and texts so much more accessible to those who struggle to read. Has to be voice over. Brightness and contrast are very nice for pupils, also read back function. For me it's teaching pupils to use siri to spell words for them when completing literacy tasks. I find the invert colours option to really help pupils read music on the iPad. I think it's not 1 feature but the fact theirs million, the iPad allows students to create/present/share/collaborate in the ways that suite them best as individuals. Colour filters have also had a positive impact in the classrooms i've worked in too. Voice to enter tekst it's so useful for dyslexic students. Minimized their frustration with the outcome of their efforts, when working with tekst or producing bits and pieces for media. Safari reader view with speak selection/screen transformed studying, throw in splitscreen with notes and you're cooking. By far zoom selection has been a huge hit. Great for in class demos when you want to highlight certain areas of a screen or show pupils extra information. Love using siri in maths to compete with too. Also the speed at which it read backs to pupils, I can adjust to the pupils specific needs. For me it has to be voice over, it's a fantastic tool for all learners. We've reduced motion on all iPads under the MDM, this has had a big impact on some of the children and their length focus. They all have their place, as different children use different tools, big players in my class are speak screen, colour filter and dictation. We also like to use keynote live at times for looking closely at lessons, we've just started to use siri recently. The tekst-to-speech feature really helps the more dylexic students cope wiht assignments and texts, so useful! Speak selection for my beginning readers and writers. Dictating into notes, simple yet very effective. For me it's guided access. Have some spirited cherubs in my class and it really keeps them on task.
Before classroom app we used guided access in digital tests, but i think speech selection is really useful. By the way, i find the brightness feature also very helpful to myself, some days i just likt to tone it down. Assistive touch has also had big impact for our younger learners. We have them customise it to one control - BOOM 1 tap screenshot. I think the best features are not always the 'obvious' accessibility ones for me it has to be typing feedback - the fact that students can get the phonetic or actual letter name makes this a winner. This editing and improving your work is important in developing your writing! For me it's definitely speak selection, in Science keywords are vital so the ability for iPad to read these is fab. I think it is great that you can completly personalize it tot the needs of the pupil. My AEN students adapted to siri quickly, however they also found out that is can tell them the football scores. Allowing learners to record their voice to demonstrate their knowledge as opposed to having to type or write. With Siri they can still get it written but takes less time so less frustrating. Love using Siri for setting the time in different situations of learning. For example, when students have to fulfill tasks in partner or group work. I have to say i use guided access quite a bit with my youngest learners, I will set an iPad up for collaboration with stop motion and green screen and see which children will take on the challenge and persist through these apps. Secondary students use Siri quite a bit, but in terms of multi-touch books, scrolling view and speak selection are brilliant. For all learners speech to tekst great for checking pronunciation is correct in French. Boys have better possibilities to make a 'nice' job for example in form of digital portfolios.
Q2 In what ways have used iPads to break down barriers to learning?
A2 Using the iPad in a 1:1 situation makes it possible for every student to access learning resources anytime anywhere (in school because the iPads stay in school)
Other answers: I find pupils much more willing to have a go on iPad based tasks, even if it just a direct substitution. A blank page is scary, a blank iPad screen inspires. Add in the options for non writing ways to show learning like audio and video, you're on to a winner. I used iPads in different ways to break down barriers but the main one is to remove that pen and paper barrier and allow them to show their true ability. Pupils who have only been able to write a few words and can now write outstanding pieces of writing. Having 1:1 devices enables inclusivity for every learner. Pupils with visual problems no longer required enlarged worksheets or books. Pupils who lack confidence can speak their ideas in to the iPad, the list is endless. Because of all the ways you can show learning through the iPad: tekst-drawing-writing-keynote-film-stop motion. This way a pupil can choose the way he wants to express his learning. One of the best ways to use the iPad to break down barriers is by allowing kids to use speech to tekst, typing with your face levels the playing field. Breaking down barriers built by tradition, change students attitude towards learning, by making it a more personal expierence, doing things differently than their parents did at school. Getting kids to speak a foreign language into their iPad helps to take away the fear of getting it wrong. Also means i get to hear every kid speak, in every lesson should i choose. Using apps like Seesaw and BaiBoard as an icebreaker for peer assessment allows pupils to discuss work and ideas. Dictation in Clips and other apps has really helped our children with dyslexia to fully express their creative ideas - removing the barrier of typing with the keyboard is incredibly motivating. I've used iPads in so many different ways, but particular as a leveller in a classroom, resources can be tailored to the needs of individual children but the 'look' of the support remains the same for everyone, Had a massive effect, especially in UKS2. If reading literature is hard for someone, you can listen to the novel. If your hand is broken and you can't write, you van do the assignment orally. The possibility of co-writing is important too. Verbal feedback using Seesaw or Explain everything has been a big game changer as children get quick understandable feedback. Videos of concepts have also really helped children go back to secure understanding, keynote live is simple but let's everyone see slides. We have powerful tools to give real access to learning. Accessibility gives the option to zoom in on anything or have tekst read to you, you can speak instead of type and use tools to make navigation simpler, it's great for all learners. Both text-to-speech and speech-to-tekst are so useful to allow students with dyslexia to participate in much the same way as their peers. And students with poor handwriting now find it much easier (and fun!) to take notes in class. Using the camera and iMovie/clips for pupils to self-assess enables them to produce so much more and higher quality work rather than writing. I love using Padlet to get ideas from those learners who don't normally pipe up. And when the pupil expressed learning a certain way a few times you are able to challenge them to pick a different one, one they might find more challenging. Using short video clips can allow children to watch an explanation more than once, simple but does have an impact. I've had UKS2 boys who have used the math learning center number pieces app to support them with their maths learning who would never have used the physical equipment in their classroom as they were embarassed too - this way, they were just 'using' an iPad. Yhe mobility of the iPad means that there are no barriers, learning can happen anywhere, students no longer struggle with producing work that is just about good enough they now schine, everybody needs to feel successful iPad provides that. Split screen is a game changer! Apple Classroom on one side, any other app needed on the other, love it! The fear of letter formation when you have fine motor skills difficulties is a great barrier to break when using the iPad, you can display knowledge and understanding in so many different ways. I found getting learners to write blogs to record their work digitally dramatically increased the quality of work that they used to produce in their exercise books. If you're not actually assessing their writing why not let them show their learning through adio, video, pictures etc? Examples from all depts: using Explain everything to film and talk about physics concepts when struggling to write down, spilt screening Shakespeare tekst with video of play, recording video turorials on iTunesU to go at own pace/review. Also, since students have all their notes and books in the iPad, they'll never forget their notebook again! With iPad there are so many different apps and ways of learning so you can always find different ways to reach all learners. As a secondary trained teacher I don't often see students for more than 55 minutes a week. Students air dropping Apple TV allows us to celbrate work more than ever and gives students purpose. It's not just an iPad, it's the way we learn our pupils, they feel comfortable about tech and we give them this oppotunity, they can draw, sing, create books/movies, solve math problems with one device. Garageband allows pupils to play guitar. Bass or violin using the strings and finger positions rather than using an electric piano with different sound because that way they are still just playing piano. Mobility is definitely a bonus! We have a weekly session where parents work with their children at maths each week, they sit all round the staff room, where ever they are comfortable. Shy students, who not will speak in groups, got the possibility to reach out to the teacher, but even to their class mates. I find that children demonstrate their learning and creative processes through different ways using the iPad. The all encompassing nature of the iPad is what makes it is an ideal tool for learning. Technology can be a great equaliser at times and allowing pupils the opportunity to share their learning in a meaningful way for them goes a long way to breaking down barriers. Apps like Seesaw and Showbie also allow teachers to leave verbal feedback for those children who would struggle to read their comments, a real evaluative dialogue can now be evidenced for those children who need it the most. Pupils who often stuggle with reading or comprehension can see tekst clearly, zommed in or can have it read aloud to them, similarly, pupils who may not excel at writing can make a wonderful video or interactive slideshow that showcases their knowledge. In many ways, for example, enabling different ways of demonstrating learning (books/videos etc) and with iTunesU courses with content targeted for both those who need extra support and for those who want to learn more. For me Seesaw has really helped! I've had children explaining concepts that is written would be a couple of paragraphes of high level thinking but because it's verbal they don't realise, skills for the 21st century. I think just the simplicity of mirroring and modeling quality class work is huge aid for struggeling students. I'm using iPad for students with disabilities, great to see how they can take part in class again. When I use printed worksheets, I create QR codes instead of url's for further informations, the students scan them by using the iPad QR code scanner to get there, very nice and convenient, for me too!
Q3 Can you share about how using Apple technologies has helped engage hard to reach learners?
A3 Less motivated students are more engaged in lessons, using technology AND the possibility to use a variety of tasks/assignment AND the fact that I can see what they are doing is a +
Other answers: In my nurture class most of the children were really disengaged and wouldn't try tasks they felt were 'too hard' I never heard them complain like this about iPad based tasks (even when they were more challenging than the traditional ones) Using CCTV has really engaged my hard to reach learners, I have had pupils asking me: Can we check the CCTV miss? They have then gone on to produce some great writing from it. iPad had enabled independent learners, our pupils choose how to present their work. It is a resource where they can instantly find answers. They can share work with a global audience, pupose & effect for their work. Pupils who usually struggle to present their work can use a range of apps to develop high quality presentations. A lot of my children used to ask 'what's the point?' - iPads provide a real audience and purpose, so when that piece of writing is needed as part of an iMovie or a script for a DoInk video, suddenly, the engagement is so clear. Letting my students with learning problems give iPad lessons to the eldery. I like how you can take the device anywhere, sometimes the classroom is not the appropriate place to learn at certain times, portability is a great asset and then while you are out and about you get to create your own resource library. Classroom has been a game changer, you can see what everyone is doing assess those who struggling far more discreetly and send them the tools to succeed without anyone else knowing, they are making amazing progress. iTunesU allows students to work through resources at their own pace. A lot of them have found their thing - something they love and feel confident doing - throught using iPads and iMacs for coding, animation, filmmaking….many of them are digital leaders. Being able to engage students with creative activities such as animation, drawing and speech recording activities engages many more students in foreign language learning. Using 1:1 iPads increased student responssibility for their learning and the work on iPad shows pride in what they do, they often can't wait to show others, been using swift playgrounds and students are coming to lesson having completed what i had planned! iPad enables learning outside the classroom, you'll see our pupils: outside, in corridors, in green screen areas, learning at home. Using a range of animation tools to bring learning to life. It's more personalised: pupils have greater freedom of choice in terms of the configuration of their device, the resources they use, how they interact with material, methods of presentation and creation. I work at an international school where not all student speak English as a first language. Using the iPad to quickly translate key words is incredibly useful for these students. Not accessibility specific, but we have a pupil who struggle socially, short attention span, prone to calling out, iPad is the equaliser for him, has quickly become a star in class, especially using swift playground, he's a coding machine and knows his stuff. Bookcreator has helped zo much on collaborative and project based learning. I give certain students a special job to be special researcher and look stuff up online during class discussions. When pupils are able to see instant results and actually able to produce real life products on the iPad. Without the tech we would still study the history, theory and maybe plan or design a product but not actually create it. Another way in which the iPad engages those hard-to-reach learners is by allowing them to participate easily, either through iTunesU or Padlet, files, assignments and feedback are a tap of the screen away. Clips, bookcreator have really inspired and engaged learners to show their work, increasing confidence in writing and maths. Just started using Flipgrid and this giving kids a voice to share ideas. Choice is key, children love the freedom to create, also pages has grabbed hold of poor writers. The most important thing is increased motivation, it's great to be able to publish texts and assignments, you can see how it motivates! The best part of teachers' work is to notice that a student has developed his own voice. I love to use apps such as clips to engage learners who like different form of communication. Coding has been a gamechanger, had some amazing results with pupils who needed something extra or a reward. Using stop motion to explain knowledge is a fun, exciting way, has been great using tellagami, adobe spark and stop motion. Studetns have a variety of ways sharing their learning whether through green screen, stop motion or book creator, even my hardest to reach learners share their story. For disengaged students the idea of make a clips video or having a photo of their practical posted on Twitter in a lesson is a huge incentive. Choice is the magic key, the simple realisation that it doesn't have to be written with a pen or types that their work can be presented in multiple different ways. I had a pupil whow always failed at dictations and written tests, instead of just written words, we let him create video stories with the words and boards in Bitsboard, it helped and he found his way for learning new words. In 1:1 environment it's easier to reach, communicate with and see the work done by those students who are not very active in the classroom, students are not forced to use one tool or source of information, they can choose, which makes them more engaged and productive.
Q4 How can you create individualised learning expierences with iPad?
A4 Difficult question. With QR codes I share digital forms (microsoft or google) with questions, I can see the results real time (more or less) based on their answers I give students a next task, mostly from jufflohr.yurls.net, and also: students ar free to show me what the learned durimng my lesson, they can use clips or write their answers in OneNote in their learning dairy.
Other answers: Using creative apps like book creator can tailor learning to individuals, or making tailored activities in explain everything or through Seesaw activities, Apple Classroom is a fantastic way to do this too. Using iPads allows students to personalise their own learning you can set pupils a task and they can pick which app or apps they use to lead their own learning such as some may create a video whereas some may create a comic strip, all reaching the same outcome. Children can choose how to present their work, be it through making a movie, rap, keynote, Clips, that's been the game changer for us developing independent learners. With Showbie i can give differentiated assignments to individual students without others knowing. I like the Apple Classroom feature to share specific tasks with specific students, this can be used to respond to the different needs of the students. Being able to create templates in Book creator app that can be differentiated to meet the needs of the children in the class is so useful. The iPad is a vehicle for personalised learning and differentiation! It mad my life as a teacher so much easier. We used Book creator to keep an on going progressive;y harder problem solving book that students could dip in and out of as they pleased. The students have the opportunity to create. You won't be dissappointed. I think this is happening in younger years in the UK but KS3/4 seems to be lossed to exam pressures out on schools. Provide pupils with a range of resources which, so they can choose which anes they want to use, also don't specify how work should be presented, give pupils success criteria and allow them to meet it however they want. I like to use Showbie to create individual and shared learning opportunities. Within the tasks there are always opportunities for childre to make decisions about workflow, today a group used the camera and markup to record area and perimeter, inspired! Give them a choice, which level of difficulty to engage wiht, which aspect of the main topic? Sharing, providing, offering materials, ideas to start with so easy, effortless, iTunesU helps to keep it all-in one place for the learners. Using digital portfolios I can mark, assess and give feedback to students and set individual tasks. With the help of different apps, based on pupils abilities. Seesaw has been a tool for documenting students as individual and collaborative learners. On some courses my students can choose their assignments and the grade they want to get, different materials, different ways to carry out the task, different apps to choose. Personalising learning has become so much easier now that students have iPads. There is a host of apps available to differentiate between the different needs of students but even simply putting all material in iTunesU already allows for differentation. Without tech, students are offline and have limited acces to resources, having connection to the world outside your class is for me the number1 factor to create personalized experiences. Voice and choice is so important, trust learners te self select the best tool for the task, which app best shows what they know. We have book creator digital portfolios that allow the pupils to showcase their individual successes both in and out of school. iPad can provide students with choice for how they learn to best suit their learning style, they can show their understanding on paper and photograph or video this and add to clips to add audio narration to explain a concept or work completely on iPad. Being able to share multiple differentiated resources at a click of a button allows pupils to always be challenged whatever their level. We use iTunesU and Showbie to differentiate assignments and provide students with versatile learning material, also alternative ways of showing what they have learned (portfolios, books, videos) written and audio feedback. The iPad is a mobile multimedia educational game changer that can provide every student with a voice and choice. By showing the children the skills and giving them projects stimulus to make it their own. At the end of a unit I explain what I would like them to demonstrate and it's up to them how they do it; green screen, app smash, keynote, of explaination video, their choice. Creating assignments and give students options to work on the assignment, create a book in book creator app, make a video in iMovie or Clips or create a report in pages. A combination of Google Classroom and Showbie to give children work where they decide the entry level and challenge, they can then choose how they record their work any way they like be it book creator app, clips keynote spark page or whatever: it's their learning.
Q5 What are you favourite accessible apps?
A5 Some of my students (mostly the ones with dyslexia) are using the colour filters.
Other answers: My favourite accessible app is Apple Classroom, even being able to take away the need for pupils to remember te sequence of how to open up an app is game changing. The teacher can just open it up for the pupils at a tap, takes away the fuss and setup. My favourite apps which are accessible to all users have to be book creator app for the various accessibility functions, Clips and Chatterpixx as it allows pupils to adapt their learning and Popplet as they can organise their thoughts easily. Explain everything is still a massive winner for me, simple to use and it's also flexible, it can be used to create content in different forms. Not an app but the operating system. For me the feedback it has to bee Seesaw and Showbie and in terms of accessibility book creator and Clips. Both apps allow the children to create freely and easily without being held back by lack of accessible features. Any app has the potential to make learning more accessible: keynote animation to explain complex topics, record science experiment, pop it into iMovie, students record their thinking/learning over video, clips titles to improve reading fluence etc…. Simple one for me, the camera app allows students to record practical work design sketches and peer assignment. Not an app but a function: screen record on iOS 11 allows for so much explanation to take place. Clips is an incredibly accessible app for all levels, ages and subject areas in a lot of ways, it's the most powerful video creation and editing app as it is ease of use enables us to reach more learners and allows students to flourish creatively. Hmmm I think all the apps are my favourite, the way an iPad works with all it's possibilities is the key to reach all different learners in my class. Apps like Book creator, padlet, Clips, iTunesU etc are essential dfor creative students who would otherwise be lost in a pen and paper environment, nothing wrong with pen and paper, but it's not for everyone. For me Workflow, it connects a lot of features together. An accessible activity not just an app for me is the All About Me project in keynote, that has given pupils a change to express what's important to THEM, using an awesome app, we've had so many unique examples shared. Not an app but a function, display accomodations, helps so many students but also seen as a cool tweak to many students, iPad hiding the different needs for students. Not sure about an app, all the iOS features can be useful, probavly clips can help to record your voice in a second. I like to use the files app to organize my teaching stuff by using the tagging feature from the first to the last lesson of the day, while teaching I share parts of my tagged files with the students by using AirDrop. Another great accessibility feature is tekst reading function, helped some of our students who need additional support, they gain independence vs support reading for them. For me it's screen record on iOS 11, makes it easy for me to make videos and children to share processes, the speech to tekst feature on clips has also changed so much, the way children can verbalise sentences over an image is really developing writing confidence.
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