How does the iPad support student success?

Any tool is just a tool until you turn it into an implement of learning. An iPad is just a tool (or toy) until you use it to engage students to higher levels of thinking and to support academic success. Once you get beyond the "shiny, new toy" stage, you are ready to think about how you can utilize the "WOW" factor of the iPad to your benefit.

Begin to think about how you can use the iPad in your classroom. The ISTE app and the Common Core app may jump start some out of the box thinking about how you can use technology to support the 21st Century learners in your classroom. Sometimes it isn't about doing new things but polishing up doing what you have already found to be successful... by incorporating technology tools.

Let's look at some of the "new" standards and begin to think about how they can be addressed using the iPad...

What are the Common Core Standards?

Florida's "Next Generation Sunshine State Standards" are based on the National Common Core Standards adopted in 2010. Language Arts and Mathematics are currently available on the Common Core app you already installed. For more information about the National Common Core Standards, go to: http://www.corestandards.org/ Since, at this writing, almost all the states have adopted these standards, there are many resources on the internet, just do a Google search to find a starting point for your classroom.

The Common Core app you installed will be updated when any changes are made in the standards. Check for updates in the App Store in the "Updates" section. Updates are always free.

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has long been known as the foremost organization supporting integration of technology in education. For more than a decade, they have been fine tuning National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students, teachers and administrators. The ISTE website states,

"The NETS have served as a roadmap since 1998 for improved learning and teaching. They help measure proficiency and set goals for what students (NETS•S), teachers (NETS•T), and administrators (NETS•A) should know and be able to do with technology in education."

For more information about ISTE and the NETS, explore the ISTE app. Unfortunately, you will need to be connected to the network to be able to use the app. If you want more information visit the ISTE website (http://www.iste.org/standards.aspx)

You already know the Sunshine State Standards and now that you have explored the Common Core standards and ISTE's NETS*S standards, start thinking about areas where the iPad could be added to your "bag of tricks" to engage your students to high levels of achievement.

Consider, also, that our iPad lab includes a VGA connector that will allow you to display the iPad on your LCD projector, a camera connection kit and each iPad has a Smart Cover. For more information about these accessories, go to  (http://www.apple.com/ipad/accessories/)

Take another look at ISTE's NETS for Teachers (ISTE app or http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers.aspx). Reflect on these questions:

• How can an iPad help you to meet the NETS*T standards?
• How can an iPad lab help you meet student standards?
• How can an iPad (or iPad lab) be used within your regular daily practice to extend, engage or inspire your 21st Century students?

There are 2 forum activities for this module. One will let you reflect on and polish a lesson you have already done using technology. The second forum will let you begin to think about a lesson where an iPad could enhance your instruction or engage your students. Reflect on your colleagues posts and support their classroom technology integration goals.