Suggested Uses
There are lots of YouTube videos about using tablets such as iPads in the classroom, however, most of them simply show you the app and do not describe how it might be incorporated into a lesson in the classroom. For that reason, they have not been included here. A quick search of “using iPads in the classroom” is all you need to find them and they may provide you with some great ideas.
What we have included here is simply a few suggestions of how to use tablets within your classrooms in different grade levels and subject areas. The hope is that you will be able to use these as starting points from which you can create your own lesson plans with the incorporation of tablets. Using tablets in the classroom may be similar to taking your class to a computer lab. The difference being that students can remain in their usual classroom, their usual seats and each tablet can be customized differently for each student. Also, as there are many different types of tablets and different apps for each one, specific names of apps are not included here to allow for a broader inclusion of ideas.
Title: Mapping Orientation Activity
Subject Area: Grade 8 Social Studies
Time: 30 minutes
Required Supplies: list of coordinates or list of towns
Task:
Give students sets of coordinates that they have to follow like a treasure hunt. Using a topographical mapping tool, students must list the towns or map features found at each set of coordinates. Their path is recorded on the tablet and can then be uploaded to share with the class or the teacher. The alternate task would be to give students a list of map features where they have to find the coordinates and record the path.
Title: Creating Math Mini Lessons
Subject Area: Grade 7 Mathematics
Time: 30 minutes
Required Supplies: none
Task:
In pairs, students are to create a vodcast (video podcast) demonstrating a specific math skill. Using a program to record what they are doing on the screen and recording their voices, students create mini lessons that demonstrate how to do a specific math skill. These skills could range from simple arithmetic to multiplying fractions. The steps in the process are recorded as the students write on the tablet with their finger or a stylus and record their voices at the same time, explaining to others how to do the skill.
Title: Photo Editing Tutorial
Subject Area: Grade 12 Technology Education
Time: 2 hours
Required Supplies: a set of images for each student to edit
Task:
Students are to create a mini tutorial about how to download and do basic photo editing on the tablet. Using a program to record their activities on the tablet, students demonstrate their abilities to use simple photo editing tools to perform basic editing features such as changing colours, adjusting red-eye and adding features such as boarders. Sound is also recorded and video and still images are spliced together using the editing features of the tablet to create a succinct tutorial.
Title: Custom Design
Subject Area: Grade 11 Design
Time: 1 hour
Required Supplies: none
Task:
Students will be required to re-design a tool from their favourite hobby. This may be a carpentry tool, a mechanics tool or something as simple as a paintbrush. Using their tablets, students will have to draw and design their tool including measurements, colours and design specifications ready for production.
Title: Shakespeare Gets Creative
Subject Area: Grade 11 English/Drama
Time: 2 hours
Required Supplies: Interactive Shakespeare plays
Task:
After reading one of Shakespeare’s plays on their tablets, students are to write a play of their own based on the original. Using several different programs on their tablets, students are to work in groups of 4 to take pictures of ideas, shoot small video ideas, create brainstorms and finally write a play. By creating a multimedia presentation of their ideas, students will be able to get a better idea of what the play will look like. Sometimes reading a script does not allow you to picture what is going on. By shooting some video of what they are thinking students are better able to portray what they want to see happen in their play.
What we have included here is simply a few suggestions of how to use tablets within your classrooms in different grade levels and subject areas. The hope is that you will be able to use these as starting points from which you can create your own lesson plans with the incorporation of tablets. Using tablets in the classroom may be similar to taking your class to a computer lab. The difference being that students can remain in their usual classroom, their usual seats and each tablet can be customized differently for each student. Also, as there are many different types of tablets and different apps for each one, specific names of apps are not included here to allow for a broader inclusion of ideas.
Title: Mapping Orientation Activity
Subject Area: Grade 8 Social Studies
Time: 30 minutes
Required Supplies: list of coordinates or list of towns
Task:
Give students sets of coordinates that they have to follow like a treasure hunt. Using a topographical mapping tool, students must list the towns or map features found at each set of coordinates. Their path is recorded on the tablet and can then be uploaded to share with the class or the teacher. The alternate task would be to give students a list of map features where they have to find the coordinates and record the path.
Title: Creating Math Mini Lessons
Subject Area: Grade 7 Mathematics
Time: 30 minutes
Required Supplies: none
Task:
In pairs, students are to create a vodcast (video podcast) demonstrating a specific math skill. Using a program to record what they are doing on the screen and recording their voices, students create mini lessons that demonstrate how to do a specific math skill. These skills could range from simple arithmetic to multiplying fractions. The steps in the process are recorded as the students write on the tablet with their finger or a stylus and record their voices at the same time, explaining to others how to do the skill.
Title: Photo Editing Tutorial
Subject Area: Grade 12 Technology Education
Time: 2 hours
Required Supplies: a set of images for each student to edit
Task:
Students are to create a mini tutorial about how to download and do basic photo editing on the tablet. Using a program to record their activities on the tablet, students demonstrate their abilities to use simple photo editing tools to perform basic editing features such as changing colours, adjusting red-eye and adding features such as boarders. Sound is also recorded and video and still images are spliced together using the editing features of the tablet to create a succinct tutorial.
Title: Custom Design
Subject Area: Grade 11 Design
Time: 1 hour
Required Supplies: none
Task:
Students will be required to re-design a tool from their favourite hobby. This may be a carpentry tool, a mechanics tool or something as simple as a paintbrush. Using their tablets, students will have to draw and design their tool including measurements, colours and design specifications ready for production.
Title: Shakespeare Gets Creative
Subject Area: Grade 11 English/Drama
Time: 2 hours
Required Supplies: Interactive Shakespeare plays
Task:
After reading one of Shakespeare’s plays on their tablets, students are to write a play of their own based on the original. Using several different programs on their tablets, students are to work in groups of 4 to take pictures of ideas, shoot small video ideas, create brainstorms and finally write a play. By creating a multimedia presentation of their ideas, students will be able to get a better idea of what the play will look like. Sometimes reading a script does not allow you to picture what is going on. By shooting some video of what they are thinking students are better able to portray what they want to see happen in their play.