Assessment Reflection 5

This week we again explored the use of mobile devices in the classroom. As technology is rapidly advancing I do believe it is important for us as teachers to start incorporating technology into many aspects of learning. 

However I personally would find the use of mobile phones in the classroom to be very challenging. I believe that they would pose as a big distraction to the students. Also as I am specialising in early childhood I question the safety of students in younger grades having access to the communication of a mobile phone, I believe it could make them susceptible to bullying or predators.

I do however see a lot more potential for the use of iPads in the classroom.

iPads have a larger screen making them easier to read and type on, especially for younger children with less fine motor skills. They are still very portable and they do not always need to have Internet access in order to function.

Below is a list of some iPad apps that I believe would be very useful in a lower primary classroom;

•           Super Why
•           Bluster
•           Sliceit
•           Writers hat
•           ABC Spelling Magic
•           ABC Pocket phonics
•           Globe 
•           Student response system
•           Count money
•           Book creator
•           Super 7 

We were also introduced to QR Codes this week. As seen in the uploaded document I have generated a QR code as a creative way to link to my blog, as seen below. I have also thought of two ways QR codes could be effectively used in a classroom; the first in during group rotation activities and the second for a treasure hunt, requiring them to scan the code with an iPad. Rather than explaining each group activity to students have a code on the desk that they scan and it links them to the task they need to complete or instructions on what they need to do. Also during a treasure hunt, rather than students finding clues they could find a code which they must scan in order to receive their next directions.