Week #2: Still an intro for some...a 2nd center intro for others

Sorry this didn't get posted last week...I got it half-way written and didn't quite get to the posting.

We're moving right along...now in Week #2 (which, incidentally, is the B week for our classes).  For the classes that come once every 2 weeks (our half-day classes), we will be following the same plan as last week; for the every week classes, we'll be moving on to the next center: the iListen & iLearn Center.

Before I get into the center activity, though...I have to share my a-ha discovery!  I was thinking as I was preparing to introduce this next center that I really wished there was a way to control which apps the students were able to access on the iPads and iPods.  I have specific apps I want the students to work on at different times, depending on the theme we're in...but they are SO good (better than many of the teachers, it seems) at getting out of what I want them to do, and into something they want to do.  I pondered this for a moment...and thought to myself, "You know, Apple should really come up with something...especially as more of these iDevices are popping up in educational settings."  And while I considered whether or not I should write a suggestion to Apple about this, I remembered I wanted to look at trying to make the app icons a bit bigger.  I remembered attending a session at a Closing the Gap conference (an annual AT conference in Minneapolis, MN, for those who aren't familiar with it) awhile back that talked all about the accessibility features on the iDevices.  

And so it was, as it usually is with me, I found--listed under "Learning" in the accessibility section of the settings--"Guided Access".   'Hmm,' I thought to myself. "Wonder what that is?"  As I read the description (see the photo below), the heavens opened up and a choir of angels began to sing.  Okay...so maybe it was me singing...and the light was coming from my office ceiling...but you get the idea!  Hooray!  I don't have to send any suggestions to Apple...it's like they read my mind. :) To see how to do this...check out the other post.

Screenshot from my phone...but it looks the same
and works the same on the iPads/iPod touches

Okay...now back to business.  So, this week (for those who have already made their first trip to the MMC) we are introducing another center--the iListen & iLearn Center.  In this center, the students will have a chance to interact with either the iPads (using different apps, depending on the theme) or the iPod touches (listening to sounds, stories, and/or music).  

This month for the iLearn part (i.e. on the iPads), the students will be using one of two math apps: Counting Ants Lite (free app; counting, number recognition), 

Counting Ants
Lite (free)

Screenshot from Counting Ants Lite

Counting Ants Lite

and Pre-Number Category Sorting ($0.99; matching shapes, colors, sizes).  

Pre-Number Category
Sorting ($0.99)

Screenshot from Pre-Number Category Sorting

Since I now know how to lock the apps...that's what will happen--each iPad will be running one of the above apps, and it will be locked so the students cannot get to any other apps (or even exit this app).   To do a different activity, they will need to either move to another device, or choose a different center.  The adults will need to monitor this for awhile because although they cannot get out of the app by themselves, frustrated students could still throw the iPad/iPod...which, obviously, I would like to prevent. :) 

In the iListen (the iPod touches), we have the teacher read-aloud stories for both themes 1 & 2, and the sounds for themes 1 & 2.