Action Research using iPads:Findings

Cathy ClarksonKirklees College

What can a group of tutors learn from each other in making effective use of mobile technologies with their students…

• Support from & discussion with colleagues is invaluable

• Sometimes there are so many ideas it’s overwhelming and difficult to know where to start

• We need technical skills and confidence & pedagogical skills and confidence

What can a group of tutors learn from each other in making effective use of mobile technologies with their students…

• Defining the term ‘effective’ is not clear cut• The value of stepping out of our comfort

zones and taking risks to try something new• With experimentation comes confidence in

using technology to support our students• For example …..

iPad Whiteboard Apps

• Wide range of apps that have similar (but different) functionalities

• Beware - Developers can close your favourite apps down

iPad whiteboard Apps: uses

Pre-reading task using a Wordle

Ss listen and read or record themselves reading

iPad whiteboard Apps: uses

Exam prep: ss make a recording of changes to a flyer

Describe a house they have built in another app

Benefits of mobile technology

portability Ease of use

Built in functionality: camera, voice recorder, internet. For example ….

Internet: uses

Self directed vocabulary development using:• Google images, • translate and • an online

dictionary

Internet: uses

Searching Google images for houses in your home country & doing a mingling task to share with classmates.

Camera: uses

Walk around college for inspiration for a project. Take photos and return to class to discuss and plan.

Relationships between tutors

Although we never all managed to get together at the same time, discussions and collaboration happened between individuals within the group …….

Discussions between:

ESOL

Foundation learning

ESOL /Teacher education – me!!

maths

ESOL ESOL

Teacher education

Science

Another ESOL tutor started using the iPads after

discussions with the ESOL tutors involved in the project.

The science tutor joined the project

Recommendations

Give Tutors freedom to take risks

Use peer obs as a vehicle for CPD

Consider JPD as an ‘offer’ of CPD

The 2014 Professional Standards:

20. Contribute to organisational development and quality improvement

through collaboration with others