Baby Steps

To begin our journey, students were allowed to use their mobile device for one of the two independent reading sessions per day, unless they owned a kindle or had an iBook, then they could use their device during both reading sessions. The students who do not have an iBook on their device are allowed to play any of the Maths apps that they have downloaded from the recommended list. 

Maths follows the first independent reading session, so the students who are playing the Maths apps treat it like an extra warm-up activity. Students are using the apps to learn and get faster with their number fact recall, as well as practice their mental addition, subtraction and division strategies. The students are excited during this time and quick to get settled, coming in after lunch. 


Student Comments:

"On my kindle I have already downloaded nine pages of books and I'm up to filling up my tenth!" - Monet. T

"I like having my books on my iPod because it means that I don't have to carry around my heavy books. iBooks are very clever and a smart way to read a book." - Sophie. T

"I like to read real books but I might download an iBook just to see what it is like one day." - Harry. C

"Kids these days like using electronics- they make you want to learn more. The Maths apps have helped improve my times tables!" -  Zoe. C

"I like to play Maths apps before our Math lesson because it pumps me up." - Will. S

"Maths apps help me a lot because they teach me how I made my mistake and helps me to understand my mistake." - Grace. C

"The apps are good because they are aimed at all different levels." - Tom. H

    

                                   

What are we doing?

As Year 4 teachers, we set out to see how we could effectively integrate mobile devices into our curriculum, what the challenges would be and what effect these devices had on the students learning.

Before we began planning this adventure, firstly we had to survey the students to get a rough idea of how many iPod touches and iPads were available to use within our classroom. The idea was that- the students who had permission from their parents would download the requested apps and bring their device to school, ready to use during certain lessons. We had quite a fantastic response with a good mix of iPods, iPhones and iPads spread across both classes. 

The first stage of implementation was minimal, simply to gauge the students reactions to having 1:1 technology in the classroom. Students were supplied with a list of Maths Apps and were asked to download them to their devices at home with a parent. Most of these apps were free, with one or two costing a small fee for those wishing to purchase. As well as Maths apps, students were given the option to download iBooks or bring their Kindle to school, for those who owned them. There are two class iPod touches and two class iPads available for the students to use also on rotation.