Our classes continue to work in such a way that demonstrates one of our key beliefs regarding the use of technology – that being that technology can be a powerful tool when it is the right tool for the job.
One of the strategies we have chosen to employ within our BYO model is the use of teacher created iBooks containing curriculum materials. This week, the Year 4 classes are downloading a Science iBook which supports this term’s Science Unit. Ms G has curated these materials and we have added further elements to individualise this resource.
Why bother? There are a number of key strategies that we as teachers know to be effective in teaching and learning. Differentiation is one of them. It is a ‘branch’ within our TOPS pedagogical tree and put simply, means that we are treating students as individuals with differing needs and learning tendencies.
The use of this iBook means that students who need to view resources more than once are now able to do this. They are able to go home and view the movie or the slideshow or the digital resource as many times as they need to in order to understand it. Learning need not be a ‘once only’ opportunity which means if you miss it, you miss out.
The use of this iBook also means they also are able to interact with curriculum materials, meaning that learning is now more active.
These iBooks also utilise the accessibility options on the iPads which mean that students requiring the text to be read aloud can utilise this option. They can also access the glossary of terms and the inbuilt dictionary to check on meanings. If the particular students required ‘study cards’ to enhance their understanding of various concepts, this can be done also.
The students are enjoying the use of these iBooks and I personally commend our teaching staff for their foresight to see the value and advantages of creating digital resources for our students to use.