A couple considerations regarding using iPads in class:
- Regarding iPad strategies, do you have an iPad to use?
- If so, are you able to download apps to it to play with and experiment with?
- Also, do your students have iPads in school (either their own or a classroom set)?
In my case, I have my own iPad--it took me months to save up for it last year (and I played violin in a bunch of weddings and special events to earn enough for it--but it was well worth it)!...In fact, I find I use it constantly now!
Anyhow, for me, it is great that I can download apps and test them out before using them in class. With iPad apps, I either project the app onto the whiteboard and have the students point at the board (and I drive from my iPad but everyone can see what is going on), or I have the app I need downloaded to all the iPads that will be used, and so the students work independently or in pairs. (we have iPads on carts that can be checked out, and some classrooms also have their own set of iPads they can use). I do the "driving" if I'm showing the students how to use something the first time by projecting on a whiteboard, and I also "drive" when I'm teaching a Pre-K class.
I did an exercise with my 3rd graders (which can most likely work with all grades) using a dictionary app called Pleco (which I LOVE)! to find the meanings and pronunciation of selected Chinese characters. I first projected Pleco on the iPad on the screen and showed the students how to use it to look up characters. Then I downloaded the free app to the iPads in their classroom, and then they had a chance to work in pairs to use the iPads independently. However, it does depend a lot on what apps are available for your language and how you envision using them in your class. There's some trial and error, but the students enjoy the different learning format.
I have also used the iPads in class simply for Internet access, so the students could do research for their projects online.
My advice to anyone beginning to use iPads for teaching is to check the app store routinely for new apps, because there are always new things being created. Also, try different search terms, and different apps may come up! I have downloaded tons of Apps for learning Chinese...but lots of them aren't as easy to use for my students or don't necessarily work as well in a classroom format. However, there's no way to know until I download it and try it out. Thankfully many apps are free or have a free version to try beforehand.
The thing I do know is that iPads can make learning more interesting and more fun. (Yesterday when I told my 3rd grade students that we would be looking up words using the iPads, a cheer erupted from the class)! I love those moments when students are excited about learning and are engaged without needing any coaxing...and the iPad is definitely a powerful and useful tool to acheive that goal.