If you’ve been here before you know what Scratch is and its benefits. I was just informed about a Scratch app which plays Scratch projects on the Ipod.

This will interest my students. It also gives me more support to argue for a class set of Ipod Touches .

If you are new here, Scratch is a drag and drop programming platform in which you can create animations, video games or screen savers. Due to its drag and drop component, no need to worry about syntax errors. Yes, logical errors may arise but this gives our students opportunities for critical thinking.

Now we can develop together on the SMARTBoard as well as locally on our Ipods!!

admin General ipod, Scratch, SMARTBoard

I know I have mentioned the Ipod Touch in the classroom before.

To truly utilize its potential, I suggest jailbreaking it and putting on the free app called TVOut. TVOut will let you output your apps to a TV or projector. A “normal” Ipod will output video with the proper cable. Using TVOut, I plan to try the madlibs app, word study apps, paint apps, google apps etc right from the palm off my hand. What better way to have word study activities ready to go at anytime. What better way to engage students.

admin General ipod, SMARTBoard, writing

Dictionary.com has a great app which can be used offline. Many Ipod apps require a wifi connection to be used properly, but not this one. It saves the dictionary and thesaurus collection right to your Ipod.

Now that we have finished narrative writing, its time to think about procedural. Once a day for the duration of our unit, I am going to show a HowCast video directly from my Ipod. I have an app to download youtube videos to watch them offline. Simply search for the HowCast procedural video you would like to watch, save it, plug the Ipod into the projector (if you have one) or a TV and voila.

If you don’t have an Ipod Touch, you can simply go to HowCast.com and show videos there. Another great way to model writing for students.

Be careful though, some of the content may contain adult humour. Always preview the video first or be prepared to give a mini lesson on internet content to your students!

admin General dictionary, ipod, procedural writing