iPad EdResources

As 2011 winds down, I have spent a good deal of time thinking about all of the online resources and tools that have helped make this past year a successful ‘Year of the iPad’ in my school district. And with an upcoming winter vacation ahead for many educators next week, I thought it might be nice to share out some of my favorite resources for using iPads, iPods, and iPhones in the classroom. Although there are many, many fantastic resources available online, the list below are the ones I have come to rely on… I hope you find them as useful as I have!

1. IEAR: The IEAR community is a solid resource for locating and discovering appropriate educational apps for the classroom. I really appreciate that the IEAR community is made up of educators who are using these apps in the classroom already, and are sharing reviews and information about specific apps. There is a wealth of information available on the website, and many more resources are shared daily on Twitter using the #IEAR hash tag.
2. Appitic: Appitic is a newer resource that has become a great go-to website for educators looking to use iOS devices in the classroom. I like that the website is hosted by a wealth of Apple Distinguished Educators from around the world who make a point to include information about multiple intelligences, Bloom’s taxonomy, special education, and other iOS tools available.
3. iPad Academy: The iPad Academy is an awesome website to discover all kinds of training, tips, and tutorials from an expert: the Portable Professor, Dr. Brovey. From iPad and app tutorials to accessories and resources, this website has something for any educator looking to learn about using iOS devices in the classroom.
4. iPad in Education: If you are just starting a 1:1 iPad program, the iPad in Education wiki from the School District of Palm Beach County is sharing some excellent information. The wiki includes lesson plans, recommended apps, tutorials, and technical resources. It is a great starting place for educators new to iPads!
5. Learning in Hand: For years, I have relied on Tony Vincent‘s website Learning in Hand to stay up to date on all things related to mobile learning. It is a great resource for schools looking to use iPods and iPads. You can watch video podcasts, get information on using iPads for project based learning, and even helpful hints about classroom dos and don’ts.
6. iTunesU: This free resource, hosted by Apple, is often overlooked. Available through iTunes on either your computer or iOS device, educators and students can find a wealth of resources to support learning. There are podcasts, videos, PDFs, and ePubs on a variety of topics are available for K-12, colleges, and professional development. Some content is teacher created, some is student created, and some is even published by big name organizations and foundations like PBS and the Library of Congress. If you are looking to learn more about using iPads in the educational setting, a fantastic component of iTunesU is theApple Distinguished Educators section. iTunesU allows users to learn just about anything from just about anywhere! And did I mention that it is all free?
7. Mobile Learning for Special Needs: The Mobile Learning for Special Needs wiki is constantly being updated by Luis Perez, a leader in teaching educators about using iOS devices as assistive technology. His video tutorials on iPad accessibility features are a must see if you work with students who have disabilities. He also provides a wealth of resources and information that is applicable for students of ALL abilities.
8. Canby School District: The Canby School District continues to lead the way with providing down to earth advice and resources being used by a district who has been working with iPod touches since they were first released. Both their wiki and blog are focused on supporting iPods and iPads in education. They publish excellent articles  deployment and management, as well as action research projects and classroom activities.
9. Appcessories: The Appcessory website from Jonathan Nalder is another new addition to my collection of fabulous resources because it looks at all the accessories for iPads and iPods, and it does it through the lens of education. This is a great website for educators who want to look at how the growing list of iOS accessories can be used for learning.
10. App Advice: Whether you are using their mobile app or website, this is an awesome place to get app advice! I really like that they are continuously compiling lists of apps, which makes it super easy if you are looking for a variety of apps that focus on the same topic (i.e. “Apps for Artist” or “Apps for Poets”). From app reviews to app sales, they are always up to date on what’s going on with iOS devices!