What is this technology?

A PDA is defined as short for personal digital assistant.  A lightweight, handheld computer, typically employing a touch-sensitive screen rather than a keyboard, generally used for storing information such as addresses or schedules. Many PDAs include handwriting recognition software, some support voice recognition, and some have an internal cell phone and modem to link with other computers or networks (dictionary.com).

A Smartphone is a device that combines a cell phone with a hand-held computer, typically offering Internet access, data storage, e-mail capability, etc (dictionary.com).

Applications for iPhone:

-Math: Elementary Math- learn beginning addition, subtraction, multiplication and division through lessons and practice exercises ($0.99)

http://www.appolicious.com/education/apps/11297-elementary-math-edgar-abadines/developer_notes

-Social Studies: History: Maps of the World- gives you a lot of maps, even ancient to share with your students (Free)

http://www.appolicious.com/education/apps/12675-history-maps-of-world-seung-bin-cho

-Science: NASA App- NASA’s official app that let’s you explore space and see their launch schedules (Free)

http://www.appolicious.com/education/apps/97056-nasa-app-nasa-ames-research-center

-Language Arts: Mad Libs- an app that let’s you create stories  (Free)

http://www.appolicious.com/omg/apps/63684-mad-libs-pearson-plc

-All Subjects: BrainPOP Featured Movie- teaches different areas each day and has quizzes included (Free)

http://www.appolicious.com/education/apps/201906-brainpop-featured-movie-brainpop

*With the iPhone applications, you can always use the Apple App Store where there is a whole section devoted to applications that are educational- http://www.apple.com/mac/app-store/  (This link sends you to where you can download the App Store if you don’t already have it on your device)

Applications for Android:

-Math: MathDroid for Kids +- teaches kids addition, subraction, multiplication, division, fractions and decimals with incorrect answers explained ($0.99)

http://www.androidapps.com/games/apps/486584-mathdroid-for-kids-mr-gavin-ovsak?tracking_id=search_results%3A331f7220-5c1d-012f-fbc1-40404140b3c0

-Social Studies: Google Earth- let’s your students explore the earth with this app

http://www.androidapps.com/apps/340736-google-earth-google-inc?tracking_id=search_results%3Ae3488811-5d84-012f-34fc-4040afb8cd6d

-Science: Human Anatomy- reviews 16 different human body systems

http://www.androidapps.com/apps/737791-human-anatomy-susasoftx?tracking_id=search_results%3Afbd26780-5d83-012f-0331-4040f46e7da7

-Language Arts: Vocabulary- Let’s you create your own vocabulary list to help you remember words you struggle with

http://www.androidapps.com/apps/574718-vocabulary-jose-carlos?tracking_id=search_results%3A78a7d161-5d84-012f-b9e3-4040a70f9459

How does this technology help English Language Learners?

Since English Language Learners are working on learning the language and practicing what they learn, games and applications on Smartphones will help them practice their language skills in real-world and fun ways. ELLs can play games like Hanging with Friends or Words with Friends to expand their vocabulary. It also requires them to use higher-order thinking to come up with the words from the letters provided. Another tool on the Smartphone to help ELLs is text messaging. If the students can text each other, monitored of course, then they are using a real-world situation to practice their new language (You don’t have to buy a texting plan either! TextFree and other applications allow your students to text each other and the applications are free or very cheap!). Smartphones also allow the students to practice composing and sending emails. Smartphones also allow students to create videos or take pictures dealing with the subjects being learned. Students can also use a Smartphone to conduct research on the internet. 

Teachers can also use applications like Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and blogging applications to share ideas and what practices work best for them!

Some Downsides to This Technology:

-Students can download other free applications and spend their time on those. If you were to use this technology you would have to carefully monitor your students’ activities and give them explicit directions.

-Students may use “texting language”, such as, “ur” or “wat” instead of standard English. This would also be something you would need to address in your directions and make sure the students understand that this is not the goal of the activity.