The University of Nebraska has set up a catalog of helpful short video resources for teachers, that can be accessed through iTunes U. They have resources for your iPad that could be used in your classroom. The resources cover all subjects and have topics for college students and teachers.
Under the topic, Teachers, I watched “Presentation Apps.” They talked about two apps, 30 Hands and Stage. Both are free in the App Store. The app that I liked better is Stage. I see this being used in the classroom more. This app “combines the convenience of a document camera with the power of an interactive whiteboard to bring your lessons to life. It is an exciting teaching and demonstration tool that students and educators can use to share ideas and interact with curriculum. You use the iPad camera to display live video of objects, textbooks, student work, and other projects. You can sketch, write, label, or laser point in real time. It has options like storing labels, recording, PDF import, and wireless connection to a projector via AirPlay. This app makes lessons fully interactive, collaborative, and engaging.” I liked this app because it seems useful and it makes instruction time more engaging.
Under the topic, Reading, I watched “Sight Words and Spelling Apps.” They talked about three apps, Cimo Spelling, Spelling Free, and Sight Words. Out of the three, I liked Cimo Spelling the most. This app has two different versions and for both of those versions there are the free versions. The app that they showed was the free sight words version. “This app is great for kindergarten through third grade. It teaches a combination of high-frequency and sight words. In this game, the student will help Cimo the penguin reach an iceberg to catch fish. Each correct letter chosen adds a block to his bridge. If the student finishes the word, then Cimo can cross. If the student adds the wrong letter, then Cimo will take a dip! This is a fun game to improve the student spelling abilities. This app also includes a progress report, this allows you to keep track of the students’ performance.” I liked this app because it sounds out each letter and when you put the word together correctly it sounds out each part then says the whole word.
Under the topic, Language Arts, I watched “American Sign Language and Text to Speech.” They talked about three apps, Marlee Signs, ASL Coach, and iSpeech. I liked the Marlee Signs app. This app is free. “This app will teach you the fundamentals of ASL, from the signed alphabet and basic vocabulary through to common expressions in every day life. Each lesson is broken down into individual videos, making it easy to learn at your own pace. In the spell section, it will show you how to spell any word in signs.” I like this app because of the real person signing. It looks more clear than the animated signing. This app would be helpful for me in my classroom if I had a student with a hearing impairment or a student who is verbally impaired.
The University of Nebraska has provided a great resource that is available in iTunes U. They have provided hundreds of short videos that show you helpful resources and tips. Which resources will you use in your classroom?