Creating with the iPad ~ Watching Kids Think Differently

After visiting with 4th grade teacher Mrs. Keene, at Leonard Lawrence Elementary School, I left with a few interesting thoughts.  Mrs. Keene shared with me how one of her students professed to using 28 different apps to create a project sharing how individuals could project the earth. His end project was an iMovie and sure enough he used a variety of apps to make his own images.  He used everything from Pic Collage to Notability, Telegami and Chatter Pix. The video itself was nothing short of a montage of images that expressed his topic. What struck me was that this student thought differently about how to create his project.  

App Smash  Examples From Student

When tasked with creating an iMovie on the iPads, often times students will save Google images and then throw those onto the storyboard. What this student did and many others like him in his class was to create their own images.  Not only did he create his own drawings and images but he used multiple apps to do so. I can appreciate this on a couple different levels.  

One is that, I myself, become frustrated when trying to find an image that expresses my message. I have started drawing what I want instead. Even though it isn’t perfect, I know its mine and I don’t have to worry about copywrite laws.  

Second, I love that kids who are immersed in iPad technology are developing skills to think differently about how to complete a task. No longer are they tied to paper, pencil and crayons. They have the tools to create anything they want. The only limitation is their imagination. The world needs individuals who can look at a project from different angles, and experiment with a variety of tools to complete a task.  

And third, these kids are learning from each other because they are all doing something different. The idea that an assignment must turn out with one correct format or answer has been completely thrown out. No longer does everyone’s work look the same, and no longer is the evaluation of a task a simple percentage or letter grade.  

Over and over again, I am so moved by how our iPad academy teachers are reaching and teaching children. When unexpected outcomes occur, like critical thinking skills and creativity the reward is never-ending. Way to go Lisa Keene and so many others who provide the tools and let their kids explore, create, and share!

Written by Jenny Krzystowczyk

@jennykbps