Technology in the Classroom

• What are portable device's limitations? 

I think that phones offer sooo much these days and there are so many great apps we can download for various reasons, but there are also limitations with phones. I think that one thing is the cost of some of the apps. Some apps are free, whereas some cost $5. That doesn't seem like much but if you buy a bunch that adds up! Another limitation is the size of your phone screen. Sometimes it's hard for me to touch something the right way or access it correctly because of the tiny screen. 

• Look at the pros and cons of Android/Apple type of tablets with a small portable computer, like the Asus for example. What can you do and not do on each? If there's something you can't do on the iPad/Android for example is there a work around it? 

Not knowing much about the Asus, I had to look up information on the product to learn more about it. I read that Asus will soon offer a motion sensing device like Xbox Kinect. You can actually operate the computer from your tv this way. All you have to do is use hand gestures and you can fully operate the Asus this way. I looked up what people said about the Asus and many said the pros were that the quality was great and best in price range. I found that the biggest con was the battery life..it's also hard to find replacement batteries.

I did a little research on the Ipad, since I don't have one, and read that the quality and design was excellent on it. The Ipad has great apps and video conferencing. I read that the battery life and price is pretty reasonable as well. The cons were related to the extra features it doesn't offer such as no USB, no SD card reader and no removable battery. 

• How can you use portable devices IN the classroom? Give at least three examples of apps that you can use in the classroom. Don't forget to share how these apps can be used. 

I think a simple tape recorder offers great resources for in the classroom. You can use it for read along books and also just for listening to your favorite story. I have seen this done with slower reading classes and they love it. It's great because they are improving their reading while following along in their book, and they are enjoying it! 

Laptops are great in the classroom as well. There are unlimited activities you can do with a laptop. I have seen it used for various reasons while subbing and student teaching and the students love having their own individual computer to work on. I have seen a social studies class use it to write their papers on Word and then google image pictures related to their assignment. 

You can also use an Ipod in class..there are several educational apps that can be used in class. For example a great app is Vocabology. You can pull up this app for English classes and the kids would love it. Basically what it is .. is you can pull up a word you don't know well and listen to how it is supposed to be pronounced.. read the definition and how it's used in a sentence. The kids would love using this over a dictionary any day. Plus the app is free! Can't beat that.