As tablet style computers become more common, it is necessary for educators to determine how best to use them in the classroom setting. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the unique advantages tablet-based educational applications (apps) offer in teaching children effective literacy skills. By making effective use of these new and interactive techniques, instructors [...]
Posts Tagged ‘iPad’
Apple Products Top Kids’ Wish Lists
Posted by ginac on November 21st, 2011
Anecdotally, it is obvious that Apple products are kid-magnets. Children find the devices simple to use, easy to hold, and powerful extensions of their imaginations. With so many cool apps to draw, read, listen, interact, and play, the devices are replacing toys atop children’s’ wish lists. In addition to the apps, the devices themselves are [...]
Posted in Electronics, Learning Methods, News, technology 
Tags: Apple, iPad, iPhone, IPod Touch 
Comments OffSteve Jobs – Living Outside the Box
Posted by ginac on August 25th, 2011
Although it is very sad that the iconic Apple founder and leader has had to step down to focus on his health, it is inspiring to see such courage and grace in the face of incredible personal adversity. As most are aware, Steve Jobs has battled pancreatic cancer since 2004.It is likely that his health [...]
Posted in Culture, Design, Electronics, Music, STEAM, technology Tags: Apple, Arts, Humanities, iPad, IPod, NeXT, OSX, Pixar, STEAM, Steve Jobs, Tim Berners-Lee Comments OffHow to Play the Guitar on Your iPad
Posted by ginac on August 5th, 2011
The iPad is truly amazing. Not only is it a web-browsing, note-taking, schedule-keeping, game-playing, e-mail-checking, sky-watching, map-displaying device, it is also a musical instrument! We found this nice tutorial on playing the guitar on Garageband, an Apple program now available as an iPad app ($4.99). Garageband is a very useful program and is worth $4.99 [...]
Three Back-to-School Must-Have Mobile Apps
Posted by ginac on July 24th, 2011
Tech gadgets, especially smart phones and tablet devices, are hot this year on youngster’s back-to-school lists. Whether kids attend public school, private school, a charter school, or homeschool, smart mobile devices are über useful for the 21st century learner. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of self-proclaimed “educational” Apps on the market. However, many aren’t [...]
Posted in technology Tags: Android, Awesome Note, back to school, iPad, IPod, mobile, mobile device, research, smart phone, Wikipedia, Wolfram|Alpha Comments OffMusical Instruments on the iPod Touch
Posted by ginac on March 14th, 2011
The iPod touch is a computer, game center, camera, music player, calendar, web browser, and now musical instrument. With a bit of practice and some nice little speakers, kids can jam together on these little electronic versions of real instruments. Don’t laugh. A band named Atomic Tom performed a tiny concert on the New York [...]
Posted in Eclectic Homeschooling, Music, technology Tags: drumkit, iPad, iPhone, IPod Touch, Music, Musical instrument, ocarina, pocketguitar, virtuoso Comments OffRiddle Game with QR Codes
Posted by ginac on March 11th, 2011
The iPod touch and the iPad (among other smart mobile devices with built-in cameras) are very powerful little computers. What’s more, many kids (some as young as 5) own such devices. We’ve created a fun game that encourages kids to think, to use their devices to retrieve information, and to learn a bit about QR [...]
Posted in Activities, Eclectic Homeschooling, Games Tags: Games, iPad, IPod Touch, QR code games, QR Code scanning, QR codes, Riddles, Technology Literacy 2 Comments »Powerful Free Mind Mapping Tools
Posted by ginac on January 15th, 2011
A mind mapping tool helps you connect your thoughts visually for use in writing, brainstorming, project management or planning. For us, the easier the tool is to use, the more useful it is. We have two favorite simple mind mapping tools that we use. One is free software to download, and the other is a [...]
Posted in Eclectic Homeschooling, Online Tools Tags: Apps, iPad, iPhone, IPod, Mind map, Web application Comments OffiPad in the Homeschool
Posted by ginac on April 13th, 2010
The iPad is beautiful, and while it won’t replace your home computer anytime soon, it is a very cool tool for homeschool learning. So far, we have used it as a white board, video player, educational game console, spelling/vocabulary learning tool, interactive geography explorer, night sky discovery, researching chemistry facts, playing a virtual musical instrument, and as an e-book reader.
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