There are many different ways to integrate apps in the classroom. Here are some suggestions for maximizing the effects of apps on your students’ learning.
Math centers: A great option for encouraging independent or partner practice.
Small groups: Using a Teacher profile, demonstrate a particular skill or concept as part of your targeted small group instruction.
Whole group: Introduce an app, features of an app, or demonstrate a particular concept or skill with your whole class by using an Interactive Whiteboard, Apple TV, etc.
Intervention: Target intervention efforts for students by setting aside additional time to practice independently, with a math coach, special education, or intervention teacher.
Teaching with apps. Use an app to help teach particular concepts or skills, such as modeling addition strategies to your class, in small and/or whole group lessons. For an example on how to do this, here’s a short video on how to use Addimal Adventure to teach Counting On.
For more instructional videos like this, log into your Teachley dashboard at www.teachley.com and go to PD Resources.
Documenting for student portfolios. Encourage students to add to their digital portfolio by documenting their learning. One technique for doing this is called App Smashing. When playing an app, have students take screenshots of particular learning moments (i.e., a strategy they used) then upload that screenshot (or a series of screenshots) into another app, such as Explain Everything, Educreations, or even the Notes app to explain their thinking, teach another student how to solve the problem, etc. Click here to learn more about App Smashing.
Assessing with apps. Apps have much potential for replacing many tests given to students. By reviewing students’ gameplay data, you can track what students understand and where they’re struggling. Then, use this information to target your instruction. For example, five students struggle with 7 and 8 multiplication factors while three other students are still working on 4-factor problems. Use this information to then tailor your small group lesson for these two groups of students. To learn more about the types of data reporting and intervention features Teachley offers, click here or send us a quick email at email@example.com.
What are some other ways you integrate apps in your classroom? Tweet your instructional tips: #teachingwithapps @teachley.