Using Tablet Devices for Literacy and

Numeracy
Summer Course 2015

Venue:
Presenter:

Module One
Session One

PDST Technology in Education 2015

This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution Share Alike 3.0 Licence
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ie/. You may use and re-use this
material (not including images and logos) free of charge in any format or
medium, under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike

Session Objectives
To enable the participant to
Become familiar with the main controls and functions of
the tablet devices
To discuss how tablet devices can be used to effectively
aid teaching and learning in the primary classroom
To demonstrate how tablet devices can promote active
learning methodologies in the primary classroom
To become familiar with a range of online resources,
directories and materials related to the use of tablet
technologies and applications to support teaching and
learning.

Course Housekeeping
Sign the Register

Break Times

What is a tablet?
Basic Features

Touchscreen as primary input.

Smaller and lighter than average laptop.
Some work with light pens.
Multi-touch input multiple fingers for zoom etc.
Not seen as replacements for laptops and desktops.
Most tablets use a special operating system designed to
make the most of a touch interface.
Most of the current generation tablets also have forward
and rear-facing cameras.

Tablets
Considerations for Schools
Tablets - What type should we purchase?
Operating Systems iOS and Android
Like any other piece of technology in a school, tablets
should be considered in the context of the elearning plan
Notes can be added to the
http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Planning/eLearning-Handbook/
during the course of the week tied to school
improvement planning

Tablets for Learning

Key Questions for Schools

Advice Sheet 38 Tablet PC or Tablet

Group Task
PDST TiE Advice Sheet

Using the PDST TiE advice sheet on Tablets for Learning above use your
Notes App to list at least three key considerations Irish schools would have
to undertake, as a school and staff, before deciding to purchase tablets for
their own teachers and students.

Tablet Options
Operat Purcha
ing
se
Tablet
Syste Apps
m
at

iPad

IOS 8

App
Store

Google
Play
Store
tablet
technologies

Androi Androi
d
d

How can
support effective teaching
Windo
and learning
Windo
Micros in our classrooms?
ws
ws
Tabletsoft
should
be considered in the context of the
Store
schools agreed elearning plan
Further relevant resources can be accessed through
http://tabletsforschools.org.uk/

User Guide
iOS 8

User Guide iOS 8.3

Getting to know your iPad

Features & Functions

Take a look at the back also!

Purchasing Educational Apps

Volume Purchasing Program

Apple have a Volume Purchase Program which allows

schools to control the purchase and distribution of multiple
apps to all school iPads.

Manage and Retrieve Apps

Explore an App

Camera Function

Collins Big Cat: Dark Night

Interrogating Apps

Interrogate apps there are so many to choose from, it is

difficult to see if they are of use. There are some good
websites to assist in the process:

http://www.appitic.com/index.php/themes/themes
http://www.apps4primaryschools.co.uk/
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/
https://www.apple.com/ie/education/ipad/
http://www.tmadeeasy.com/home/category/all-subjects

iPad Educational App Evaluation

Guiding Questions

How would a teacher incorporate the application

into their classroom?
Will the app meet the learning needs of all
students in the class?
Does the app accommodate more than one
learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)?
Will the app engage, motivate and challenge the
students?
Kathy Schrock iPads for Teaching

Key Considerations
Educational Apps

A strong association with learning outcomes (whether

curriculum or skill based)
Interactivity with the learner via correction and feedback on any
questions that are set.
An ease of use of the app so that the learner does not need any
guidance and teach ones self if necessary.
A variety of levels in the app so that learners can progress and
different levels of learning within the same age-group can be
taken into account.
The ability to collaborate on work with others and co-create.
Motivation for learners to go beyond the apps and find more
information on the subject at hand.
The impetus to engage learners and hold their attention to fulfill
learning objectives.

Accessing Browser Materials

Educational Materials

Task: Access https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/

through your Safari or Chrome browser. What did you
learn from Art Project, Historic Moments and World
Wonders? How would you use Google Treks?

Classroom Practice
The Primary Guide

Suggested use
Curriculum links
Appropriate questions
Lesson plans
Planning aid

Using Tablets in the Classroom

Group Discussion
In your own school environment how could you incorporate
the use of tablets in each of the following classroom
situations

Individual Work
Group Activity
Whole Class
Station Teaching
SEN Classroom

iPads for Talk & Discussion

Developing Oral Language

Our Website
http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/

Session Objectives
Reflection
To become familiar with the main controls and functions
of the tablet devices.
To discuss how tablet devices can be used effectively to
support teaching and learning in the classroom.
To demonstrate how tablet devices can promote active
learning methodologies in the primary classroom.
To become familiar with a range of online resources,
directories and materials related to the use of tablet
technologies and applications to support teaching and
learning.