Handheld Learning Devices
Handheld Learning Device are on the increase within primary schools. The increase is due to the popularity of the tablets and iPads among children and teachers. The devices are incredibly easy to use and offer a wide range of resources to use that link to all curriculum areas. The iPad in particular has a vast variety of educational apps that you can view on the Apple website.
On two of my placements so far I have seen children have access to iPads in several of their lessons. Every time that I have seen them in use I have noticed how engaged and excited the children are. I have also noticed how at ease the children are with the devices and the confidence they have in using them.
I think iPads are a great resource to have in the classroom or school as they can be used across the curriculum in any subject. There are so many apps available for the device that they can literally be used in any lesson. In one of the lessons I observed on my Specialist Pathway Placement the children were given iPads in their groups as a resource to find information out about planets in our solar system. Although there were laptops available for use the children favoured the iPads because they are sleek, fast and easy to use.
On the two placements that I have previously mentioned I have also observed teachers taking photos and videos of the children to evidence their learning. One of these observations was made on a school trip that I went on. The teacher chose to take the iPad along instead of a camera to capture the experience and learning of the children.
On my Foundation Stage Placement I was asked to record the Reception class doing their first kick rounders lesson. I found the device incredibly easy to use and I could not help but notice its speed. Instead of having to wait for the device to reload, like a camera, I was able to press the shutter button as much as I wanted and all images were collected.
Once these images and videos were collected the class teacher was able to download them straight onto the computer with the use of a USB wire. I think iPads are a great device for children and teachers to use. They are sleek, exciting and portable.
However, as much as I favour this device in schools I do realise that a lot of schools cannot afford such technology. It has only been in larger schools that I have seen the device in use as they are expensive to buy.
On two of my placements so far I have seen children have access to iPads in several of their lessons. Every time that I have seen them in use I have noticed how engaged and excited the children are. I have also noticed how at ease the children are with the devices and the confidence they have in using them.
I think iPads are a great resource to have in the classroom or school as they can be used across the curriculum in any subject. There are so many apps available for the device that they can literally be used in any lesson. In one of the lessons I observed on my Specialist Pathway Placement the children were given iPads in their groups as a resource to find information out about planets in our solar system. Although there were laptops available for use the children favoured the iPads because they are sleek, fast and easy to use.
On the two placements that I have previously mentioned I have also observed teachers taking photos and videos of the children to evidence their learning. One of these observations was made on a school trip that I went on. The teacher chose to take the iPad along instead of a camera to capture the experience and learning of the children.
On my Foundation Stage Placement I was asked to record the Reception class doing their first kick rounders lesson. I found the device incredibly easy to use and I could not help but notice its speed. Instead of having to wait for the device to reload, like a camera, I was able to press the shutter button as much as I wanted and all images were collected.
Once these images and videos were collected the class teacher was able to download them straight onto the computer with the use of a USB wire. I think iPads are a great device for children and teachers to use. They are sleek, exciting and portable.
However, as much as I favour this device in schools I do realise that a lot of schools cannot afford such technology. It has only been in larger schools that I have seen the device in use as they are expensive to buy.
Digital camera:
During a session on Science in the Foundation Stage we were given access to a few ICT resources made available to children.
This device is a digital camera that is child friendly. It has been designed to be easy to use with vivid colours and images to help children to navigate the device.
I found it to be a fun device to use and feel that children would be excited to use it as it is big and bold. It is also easy to link to the computer once pictures and films have been taken.
I think it is a great idea for children to have access to such resources so they become familiar with how they work. It is also a great way to ensure that their ICT skills are developing from a young age.
This device is a digital camera that is child friendly. It has been designed to be easy to use with vivid colours and images to help children to navigate the device.
I found it to be a fun device to use and feel that children would be excited to use it as it is big and bold. It is also easy to link to the computer once pictures and films have been taken.
I think it is a great idea for children to have access to such resources so they become familiar with how they work. It is also a great way to ensure that their ICT skills are developing from a young age.
Laptop:
Although this device is not handheld I felt I had to include it on my website as I loved using it!
It is a computer for children that is incredibly visual, accessible and easy to use. There are a lot of educational games on the device that aim to progress and challenge a child's knowledge and learning.
I liked the fact that the letters and directional arrows were big and bright so that they were easy to see. I also liked how the letter keys had images on beginning with that letter to help the children.
It is a computer for children that is incredibly visual, accessible and easy to use. There are a lot of educational games on the device that aim to progress and challenge a child's knowledge and learning.
I liked the fact that the letters and directional arrows were big and bright so that they were easy to see. I also liked how the letter keys had images on beginning with that letter to help the children.