The ipads will be used as an assessment accommodation tool and as a classroom tool to increase engagement by integrating relevant and meaningful technology such as language apps, image searching, and easier access to content resources.
Over the course of the year, I have seen many of my students struggle in the classes with teachers that are less comfortable with the idea of students using phones. My students use their phones almost daily, when they can, to help them translate complex content ranging from Shakespeare to Physics word problems. They also struggle because trying to use a translator on the tiny cell phone screen can be cumbersome As an advocate for both the 24 beginner/intermediate students I personally teach AND all of the other 100+ ESL students we have on campus, I researched a solution to this modern day dilemma. I found that the accessibility feature on the ipad allows me to "lockdown" the device, so only the translation app can be accessed. I found a group of teachers who would be willing to test run this feature during semester exams, and the results were undeniably excellent. My students felt more confident on their tests, and they were ultimately more successful. The teachers were equally excited to finally have a solution.
I am fortunate to work at a school that encourages the use of technology to help students grow. However, our school has limited resources that are shared among all staff members, which means that sometimes, oftentimes, certain technology items such as ipads and laptops are not available at the time they are needed. By having my own little set of ipads, I can ensure that I always have the technology needed for students to be successful.
About my class
The ipads will be used as an assessment accommodation tool and as a classroom tool to increase engagement by integrating relevant and meaningful technology such as language apps, image searching, and easier access to content resources.
Over the course of the year, I have seen many of my students struggle in the classes with teachers that are less comfortable with the idea of students using phones. My students use their phones almost daily, when they can, to help them translate complex content ranging from Shakespeare to Physics word problems. They also struggle because trying to use a translator on the tiny cell phone screen can be cumbersome As an advocate for both the 24 beginner/intermediate students I personally teach AND all of the other 100+ ESL students we have on campus, I researched a solution to this modern day dilemma. I found that the accessibility feature on the ipad allows me to "lockdown" the device, so only the translation app can be accessed. I found a group of teachers who would be willing to test run this feature during semester exams, and the results were undeniably excellent. My students felt more confident on their tests, and they were ultimately more successful. The teachers were equally excited to finally have a solution.
I am fortunate to work at a school that encourages the use of technology to help students grow. However, our school has limited resources that are shared among all staff members, which means that sometimes, oftentimes, certain technology items such as ipads and laptops are not available at the time they are needed. By having my own little set of ipads, I can ensure that I always have the technology needed for students to be successful.
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