Not a Toy, but a Tool

iPads are powerful tools for engaging students, encouraging creativity, stimulating critical thinking, and making significant strides in learning. This book is part of a two book set that will allow educators to realize the full potential of the iPad. Over 200 highly rated apps are covered with specific ideas for classroom activities and teaching strategies. Descriptions include ideas for using iPads in classrooms where each student owns an iPad, as well as where there is just a small number of iPads or even just a single device. The first chapter of this book supports the effectiveness of iPads, focusing on what the iPad is, why is should be used and how it can be used. Then two chapters are dedicated to apps that are valuable for all subject areas. The last three chapters focus on apps appropriate for use in the humanities classrooms. In consideration of education budgets, all the apps are free or low cost. The information in this book is appropriate for K12 teachers, university professors, media specialists, K12 administrators, parents and students.

Dr. Carrie Thornthwaite has given an excellent introduction to the use of iPads. She approaches this process with the mindset of both a K-12 educator, which she was, as well as an education professor. All of the apps reviewed are very affordable and excellent resources for making education interesting and interactive. Dr. Thornthwaite has provided educators with an excellent set of recommendations., Busy classroom teachers have so many demands on them today! Keeping up with technology gets pushed down on the list of to-dos. This book provides valuable information for all levels of technology expertise. The apps reviewed in Chapter 2 and 3 are outstanding! Creating quizzes for the iPad meets so many needs: quick assessments, student feedback, student understanding after a discussion!  Language arts teachers can find several apps in Chapter 4 to meet the needs of their students in writing, vocabulary, and analysis. I recognize several adaptations in the apps of activities I assigned to students on a daily basis.  This author provides a needed tool teachers can use today. Many schools do not have a technology coach or facilitator on staff to recommend appropriate apps. This book meets that need., My goodness! What a JOY it was reading this book! It opened me up to lots of new ideas! As a foreign language teacher, I particularly liked Chapter 6, which bears relevance, not only to the everyday foreign language classroom teacher, but also to anyone interested in learning more about language. The author provides an in-depth glance into what each of the (reviewed) apps specifically offers the user. The collection of ideas provided by the author provides the catalyst of a great book!, This book provides educators with a wide variety of available resources to enhance their classroom instruction when using iPads. The author has broken the book into sections that helps teachers easily access apps that are appropriate and specific to their instructional needs. As a reading specialist, I am always looking for high-quality apps that can be used to help students reach their highest reading potential. The organization of the book allows me to easily find the apps that I need for my students. The research that has already been done by the author will help me manage my time when using iPads in the classroom. I’ve been using iPads for a couple years, but now, with this information, I can integrate iPads more effectively into my classroom instruction., As a high school history teacher, I find this an extremely valuable book!  As a Geography/History teacher, I particularly liked the apps in Chapter 5.  Some of the apps provide primary sources, which is important in implementing Common Core. The other apps have given me innumerable ideas for lessons that I can use in my classes.  I highly recommend this book for use by any classroom teacher.

Dr. Carrie Thornthwaite has served as a College of Education professor for 16 years at Lipscomb University, in Nashville, TN. Previously, she worked for 13 years as a high school physics and mathematics teacher in both private and public schools. Her passion has always been to use activities that promote discovery, engagement, understanding, and creativity in ways that enhance the learning experience of all students.