Learn to teach with an iPad, a line of tablet computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., which runs Apple’s iOS.
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In today’s digital classroom, the iPad has become an indispensable tool for educators. Lightweight, versatile, and packed with powerful apps, the iPad can transform lesson planning, classroom management, and student engagement. Whether you’re a tech-savvy teacher or just getting started with classroom tech, this iPad Survival Guide will equip you with essential tips, tricks, and a few fun facts to make the most of this handy device in your teaching journey.
Why the iPad?
Apple introduced the iPad in 2010, and it’s become one of the most popular devices in education, with over 8 million iPads estimated to be in classrooms worldwide today. But why the iPad? With a wide range of educational apps and multitasking capabilities, it allows teachers to create interactive lessons, organize materials, and communicate with students more efficiently. The iPad is also highly intuitive, making it a great choice for all ages—both teachers and students can jump right in!
Fun Fact: Did you know that iPads can recognize up to 10 simultaneous touch points? This feature enables group interactions and collaborative activities where students can engage together on one screen, perfect for group learning.
1. Set Up Your iPad for Success
The first step to becoming an iPad pro is setting up your device for efficiency. Start by organizing apps into folders based on subject, task, or activity (e.g., “Math Tools,” “Student Management,” “Reading & Writing”). Customize your iPad’s Control Center to include frequently used settings like screen recording, Do Not Disturb, and the timer, which can be useful for timed classroom activities.
Additionally, explore Apple’s Classroom app—a must-have for teachers using iPads with their students. This app lets you control and manage student iPads during lessons, monitor their progress, and lock apps or screens to keep students focused. It also allows you to launch specific apps, websites, or activities on student devices, streamlining lesson flow and minimizing distractions.
Fun Fact: Apple’s Education app store offers over 180,000 educational apps tailored for every subject, making the iPad a one-stop shop for customized learning experiences.
2. Optimize for Lesson Planning and Teaching
The iPad shines as a tool for lesson planning and interactive teaching. Apps like Notability or GoodNotes allow teachers to create and organize digital notes, diagrams, and annotations. Teachers can upload worksheets, add notes, or draw diagrams on the fly, making lesson delivery more adaptable. And with Split View, you can keep multiple apps open at once—research materials on one side and a lesson plan on the other.
For presentations, the iPad’s Keynote app enables you to build engaging slides with animation, visuals, and interactive links. Paired with Apple Pencil, the iPad becomes a dynamic whiteboard, perfect for illustrating concepts or annotating directly on a presentation. Apps like Nearpod or Kahoot! bring interactive quizzes and polls into the lesson, helping keep students engaged and checking their understanding in real time.
Fun Fact: Using Split View, teachers can multitask by watching educational videos on YouTube while taking notes in another app, creating an interactive dual-purpose lesson plan in real-time.
3. Make Classroom Management Easier
Beyond lesson delivery, the iPad can help you simplify classroom management. Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams allows you to assign tasks, collect assignments, and provide feedback from one place. You can streamline grading with apps like Showbie, which organizes student submissions and provides a platform for easy annotation and feedback.
To keep students focused, tools like Apple Classroom can lock students into specific apps or websites during lessons, ensuring they stay on task. The Reminders app also helps teachers set quick reminders for important tasks like grading or parent communications, creating a more organized and productive workflow.
Fun Fact: Some iPads come equipped with True Tone technology, which adjusts screen brightness based on lighting conditions, reducing eye strain—a helpful feature for teachers who rely on their iPads throughout the day.
4. Use Creative Apps to Inspire Students
One of the greatest benefits of using an iPad in education is the wealth of creative tools available. Apps like iMovie and GarageBand allow students to create their own video projects or compose original music, bringing a multimedia dimension to language, history, and science projects. For art classes, Procreate offers students a full-featured drawing experience, perfect for illustrating concepts, creating infographics, or completing art assignments.
For English and language arts, encourage students to use Book Creator to design and publish their own digital books. This app lets them integrate text, images, audio, and even video to create professional-looking e-books. By creating with these apps, students are not only developing language skills but also strengthening their digital literacy and creativity.
Fun Fact: Apple’s GarageBand app includes a collection of virtual instruments, allowing students to experiment with music from all around the world—from classic pianos to African drums, making cultural studies more immersive.
5. Assessment and Feedback Tools
The iPad provides numerous tools for assessment and real-time feedback, making it easier to monitor student progress. Formative and Socrative are great apps for creating interactive quizzes and assessments that can be instantly scored. Teachers can track responses live, giving immediate feedback and adjusting the lesson as needed.
For individual feedback, apps like Seesaw allow teachers to give personalized responses to students’ work. Students can submit assignments, and teachers can record audio feedback, highlight parts of their work, or leave comments. This real-time feedback system helps students feel supported and keeps them motivated to improve.
Fun Fact: You can use the Markup tool in the Photos app to annotate screenshots of student work or textbook pages, making it a quick and easy way to provide visual feedback!
iPad Survival Skills for the Modern TESOL Teacher
The iPad offers TESOL teachers a powerful tool for engaging students, managing classrooms, and delivering lessons in creative and dynamic ways. By embracing these tips and exploring the many educational apps available, you can use your iPad as a versatile and engaging teaching assistant. Whether you’re guiding young learners or adults, the iPad’s flexibility can enhance language learning and make lessons more interactive and fun.
With the iPad by your side, you’re equipped not just to survive but to thrive in today’s tech-savvy classroom. Explore, experiment, and make the iPad your go-to device for a modern, effective approach to TESOL teaching!
