Using the iPad to support English language learners
There are a group of us that are currently investigating how to support ELL using ICTs and a number of the teachers involved have access to iPads with their students. Having not used iPads before with ELL learners, I wondered if this group might have some ideas on apps that are particularly effective or general ways of using the iPad? I know that VoiceThread is available on the iPad which is one of my top pics. Any other thoughts?
By the way, you are most welcome to come and join our VLN group around this topic. We would love more input there too.
/pg/groups/663816/improving-the-outcomes-for-english-learners-through-ict/
Replies
- Allanah King (View all users posts) 11 May 2012 7:51pm ()
I have had a couple of discussions with ESOL teachers here in Nelson. The apps that they really liked were
Show Me
http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8
Here is a Show Me I made to demonstrate.
http://www.showme.com/sh/?h=ixzI7Hc
Book Creator with the update so you can record voice.
http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/book-creator-for-ipad/id442378070?mt=8
Sonic Pics for recording audio
- iDave (View all users posts) 11 May 2012 8:27pm ()
Hi Suzie - you might like to have a trawl through this site that has Ed apps sorted into categories http://www.appitic.com/
- Suzie Vesper (View all users posts) 13 May 2012 3:32pm ()
Thanks everyone. I'll pass those ideas on. Keen to hear more if anyone else thinks of any :-)
- Amanda (View all users posts) 13 May 2012 8:13pm ()
Fotobabble is another great app that I've been using quite a bit lately. Students take a photo of their work and then can talk about it. This can be done very simply on the app and also online. It then gets its own stand alone page or can be embedded.
http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/fotobabble/id353078443?mt=8
I've also used the Google Translate app quite a bit with ELL students
http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/google-translate/id414706506?mt=8
Puppetpals is another good app for students to create/retell stories and speak.
http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8
- Merryn Dunmill (View all users posts) 14 May 2012 8:56am ()
Hi Suzie
On the Gifted Online discussion forum these suggestions were posted and I share here a summary of some of those contribitions:
iPad apps (either free or offer free trial versions.)
Little story maker (free) - take photos and put one image on each page, add your own text and then record and adjust the timer so that each word is highlighted as it is spoken. Awesome way to entice new readers with topics that are very personal to them, and a great incentive to get children to develop them own creative stories and create them for themselves and their classmates and/or younger readers.
Voice dictation - accuracy improves as the user uses it more. No need to train to start using it, and much cheaper than Dragon.
Popplet - create a mind map by drawing images, typing text and/or importing pictures
Toontastic - tool to develop an animated cartoon, can add your own images and manipulate them or use what is already provided.
Talking News - Create a short video clip about something, upload it to Talking News and then record the commentary of the two News Presenters.
Storyboards - draw from the large library of images, manipulate them to create a storyboard for a film or book. No writing needed but a good hands on creative thinking, sequencing project that can be for diverse ideas. Not sure what other characters can be purchased in app but the free sample only provides a character with white skin so not culturally inclusive.
Puppet editor -great potential for story telling through images.
Cheers
Merryn
