Comments on: iPads in Science

By: Alfonso (Al) Gonzalez

Alfonso (Al) Gonzalez — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:33:00 +0000

Hi Allison,

Thank you! So glad my website has been helpful.

Glogs are great. Have you made a glog before? Two things that come to mind about glogs, 1. they are best experienced by visiting them yourself like going straight to one (http://educatoral93.edu.glogster.com/mrgsglog/) or interacting with one on someone’s blog (http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blog_id=1406259&mode=comment&user_id=&blogger_id=). 2. One thing to watch out for is that you can’t view them on iPads so if you’re using glogs to make a case for getting iPads they aren’t something kids can really do there.

For a wow presentation and something that can be enjoyed/viewed (not created yet, I don’t think) on an iPad are prezi’s. Here’s one I made last year to launch a project with my 8th graders:
http://prezi.com/ers-xjfqea4y/mini-science-fair-plants/

Prezis are replacing PowerPoints. Play with it over the weekend because there is a slightly steep learning curve with those.

By: Allisonkovac

Allisonkovac — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:57:00 +0000

I am so inspiried by your teaching! I was just given the charge of putting toether a presentation on Tueday, 1/10 to convince the “powers that be” that IPads would be a good investment for my 6th grade science class. Any suggestions for how to WOW them?
Allison Kovac
allisonkovac@westonk12-ct.org

By: Cglass

Cglass — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:10:00 +0000

Do you have any suggestions for an app that shows how to use lab equipment, set up labs or demonstrates labs. I viewed one in which a gentleman demonstrated the equipment, vocabulary and procedures for a titration. I can’t find it now!!!

By: Mr. G

Mr. G — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:36:42 +0000

Hi Andrea,

I will have only one iPad for my class from September until the other ones arrive in October. Sometime in October. I’m sure we’ll all be waiting on pins and needles. I’m going to have students use it but you have to realize that I already have 11 desktop computers and six or seven netbooks and laptops. I have students grouped into ten teams with 2 to 3 kids in each team so until the iPads get here each team should have two machines to use until the arrival. So for me using one iPad is somewhat doable. When I started teaching I did make use of one machine in my classroom and had kids rotate through it as a center. Having one computer or similar device in your class, with the use of a computer lab, can work. Would I want to ever go back to that? No way!

So to answer your question as to whether it will be effective or not, well, that depends on what you will have kids doing on the iPad. Will they be reading pdf’s that you preloaded onto them? Websites for research? Will they be writing documents? Blogs? Do you have any other machines in your room? The iPad is fun but limited compared to a Netbook and even more compared to a full on laptop or desktop for creating content and using Web 2.0 sites.

As for iPads apps working with no Wifi, or limited/blocked wifi, if it’s an app that requires wifi you will need wifi or the app won’t work. There are apps that do not require wifi but they aren’t as fun for the most part. Star Walk totally works without being connected but it’s no use in the daytime or indoors even. I personally think that if you get one you will want more but if you do get one, you will find things for your students to do that will help them learn.

Bottom line. Go for it! You’ll learn lots and be ready if you do get more )

Good luck!

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:41:14 +0000

Mr. G.
Very cool! I am looking for information and ways to use ipad in my 8th grade science class. My school has 5, (I could get one) but I have to explain how I will use it in my class.

As you are the advance guy here, can I use one in a class of 30?
Do you think it will be effective?

I have a Smart Board and use that daily, but may sites are blocked by my district. Do the ipad app’s work if they are loaded from home?

Thanks for any input, if I can make it a tool for the students, then I will ask for one, if it will only make me want 12 like you, then maybe its not a good time to try them yet.

Andrea Medrano

By: This Weeks Diigo Bookmarks

This Weeks Diigo Bookmarks — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:58:18 +0000

[...] iPads in Science | Mr. Gonzalez’s Classroom [...]

By: Mr. G

Mr. G — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:56:06 +0000

Hey Stephanie,

Those are the latest I want to try out. Don’t know if they’re must have or not. I’ll see which ones work or are even needed when I start using them with students.

By: Stephanie Harman

Stephanie Harman — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:12:48 +0000

Hi Mr. Gonzalez!

I am interested in how you are using your iPads in your science classroom. My school just bought a set of 20 and I will be getting one this week to try out for the fall. Any MUST HAVE apps that you have come across other than the ones listed in your blog. Any advice on how to use these in my classroom would be great. I teach 7-8th grade science, but the iPads will be used across curriculums. You can email me at sharman@mvcds.net

Thanks!
Stephanie Harman
7 & 8 Science
Maumee Valley Country Day School
Toledo, OH

By: al_gonzalez

al_gonzalez — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:18:22 +0000

Tracy,

Thanks for the recommendations. I downloaded the apps and they are cool. I’ll play with them and make them available to students. I’ll work with my tech guy to see if we can’t avoid dropped wifi.

Thanks a lot!

By: Google knows my friends and family, cool or creepy?

Google knows my friends and family, cool or creepy? — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:05:22 +0000

[...] writing a comment for Mr Gonzalez’s post about his plans to use iPads in Science, I did a little google search on iPad’s wifi issues because, to be honest, I don’t [...]