Tag Archives: ipaded

#coffeechat Episode 003⤴

from @ teachitgeek

Tonight I had the pleasure of hosting episode 3 of the #coffeechat podcast. I started this with my good friend Ian Simpson (@familysimpson) as a way for us to chat as often as possible about the state of technology in Education.

Tonight we had the pleasure of the Aberdeenshire dream team Jim McLean (@jimmclean1) and Susan Sey (@seysusan).

We spoke about the need for photocopying, modern classrooms, display interactivity and iPads in teaching and learning.

The audio version will be uploaded to iTunes ASAP.


#iPaded – Book Creator for phonics development.⤴

from @ teachitgeek

IMG_0329

Those of you who know me, know how much I love the possibilities that Book Creator by Red Jumper offers pupils and teachers.

My son, who has recently started Primary 1 (5 years old) has been coming home with new sounds every week. He is also a very confident iPad user. He has moved on from the baby swiping Daddy’s iPhone to a very competent iOS user. He knows how to insert images, record sound and can beat my high score in temple run. He asked if he could make a book on the iPad showing what letters and sounds he has learned so far. The result is below:

I am delivering training to staff at his school on Wednesday on the way that iPads can add to the experiences staff and pupils can have in school. I plan to use this book as an example of another way pupils can show their knowledge and understanding, and more importantly share their experiences.


How to enable Switch control on iOS 8⤴

from @ teachitgeek

IMG_0267

Switch control is an Accessibility feature designed to make the iOS devices easier to use for pupils with a physical and/or motor skill impairment. With Switch control users can scan between items, use crosshairs to pick specific points, or manually select items using multiple switches. They then use an external adaptive switch, the iPad screen itself, or even the front FaceTime camera to trigger the switch. Both hardware buttons and software interface elements can be selected and triggered with switches and a variety of options let you set them up exactly the way you want them.

How to activate the Switch Control feature on iOS 8

  1. Launch the Settings app
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Tap on Accessibility.
  4. Tap on Switch Control under Physical & Motor (near the bottom).
  5. Turn On the option for Switch Control and select Yes

iOS switch control

How to use the screen as a trigger with Switch Control

You can start using Switch Control immediately, even without an external accessory, by using the screen as a switch. Essentially, Switch Control can turn your entire screen into a switch. iOS can then highlight items sequentially and when the item or group you’d like is highlights, tap anywhere on the screen in order to select it. To use the screen in this way, you’ve just got to tell Switch Control that you want to use the screen as a trigger by following these steps:

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Tap on Accessibility.
  4. Tap on Switch Control under Interaction (near the bottom).
  5. Tap on Switches.
  6. Tap on Add New Switch…
  7. Tap on Screen.
  8. Tap on Full Screen
  9. Tap on Select Item under Scanner.

iPad Switch control

iPad switch 1

If you prefer to use an external accessory, just choose the External option when adding a new switch. As long as your switch is powered on and activated, your iPad should easily find it and pair. As a side note, for those that are setting up Switch Control for use by someone else, it may be easier for you to configure a switch before actually activating Switch Control, just to make the process a little easier. It works in both orders so you can perform the steps in whichever order you prefer.

Original post appeared on iMore


How to enable greyscale for visual accessibility in iOS 8⤴

from @ teachitgeek

iPad greyscale

 

Greyscale is a new accessibility feature in iOS 8 that allows pupils with a visual impairment, such as colour blindness, to disable colours that make it harder for them to see the display. Since these pupils struggle to differentiate between certain colours, greyscale mode can make reading menus and images easier.

How to enable Greyscale in iOS 8

  1. Launch the Settings app
  2. Tap General
  3. Tap Accessibility
  4. Turn the Greyscale option to on

Greyscale iPad

 

Everything on the screen now changes to show varying shades of Grey rather than the multiple colours iOS users are familiar with.

NOTE: as with inverted colours, this option does not work if you are using iPad through the VGA cable or AirPlay to an Apple TV.


Apps for preschool/early years⤴

from @ teachitgeek

With school starting recently I had a number of parents ask if I could recommend apps that would be suitable for their children to use on the iPad. They know that my children use the iPad regularly and that they use apps that are specific to Mathematics, English and various others.

Below is an image showing the various apps that my children have installed on their iPad. Each includes a quick description of how the app could be used and a link to the iTunes store. Please note some of these apps are paid and also offer in-app purchases.

http://www.thinglink.com/scene/561492607914475520


Book creator in early years development⤴

from @ teachitgeek

My son has recently started Primary 1 (5 years old). He is a confident iPad user and loves sharing his love of superheroes with everyone. He and I sat down today and made his first eBook using the wonderful Book Creator app.

This was a quick and simple task and shows the power that using apps like this and the right technology can have on helping pupils share their knowledge of a subject or topic.