This document discusses the use of iPads in education. It notes that iPads are best suited for activities like reading, presenting, curating, and creating rather than storage-heavy or multi-user tasks. Documents and apps can be synced across devices using cloud services. The document outlines best practices for digital literacy and gameplay on iPads, emphasizing social interaction, scaffolding, and discovery-based learning. It recommends several apps to support imaginative play and literacy.

1. Once upon an iPad
The Learning Commons
Dr. Cynthia Garrety

2. What an iPad isn’t..
memory storage
ability to allow for multiple users
heavy typing tasks

3. Shifting
iCloud storage
Dropbox
Google Drive/Docs
Synced apps

4. What an iPad can
be..
reading
presenting
curating
creating

5. Jackie Marsh
University of Sheffield, UK

6. Jackie Marsh
University of Sheffield, UK

7. Digital Literacy
Evaluating digital games, books, and
apps
Motivation
Context
Path
Access

8. Motivation
Is it intrinsically fun and not
limited to ‘teaching’ one particular
skill
Allow play for the sake of play
operates at a level that is
challenging to the child

9. Context
Does it relate to daily life that the
child can recognize?
Can it be incorporated into
imaginative play?

10. Path
Discovery oriented? (open and non linear)
Allows choices in selection and timing of
activities
Allows manipulation of symbols and images
on the screen
Allows child to engage collaboratively as
well as single play?
Allows for children to produce as well as
consume

11. Access
Provide spoken directions for a non
reader
Provide information and advice on
demand when needed
Employ an uncluttered screen design
with a simple background, coloring
and graphics

12. Jackie Marsh
University of Sheffield, UK

13. Digitally mediated imaginative play
Pivotal role of collaborative
effort to support play

14. Access
often shaped by parental
decisions and beliefs
!

15. Best Practice
Strong theme of social interaction
during time with the iPads
Need for assistance at times from
older siblings, peers, adults
Child’s play as technical expert for
at least a time
Scaffolding

16. iPad Exploration Time
Goodnight Safari
WWF Together
Meet Millie
Numberlys
Skippyjon
!
!
Nighty Night
Pocket Frogs
Monster
AR Flashcards
Astrojammies
Storyrobe
Flat Stanley
Sock Puppets
Morris
Bartleby Vol.2
Harold
Timmy Tickle