iPad Apps Used to Reinforce Content

Many of us in the community may see the influx of technology in our schools and wonder whether or not it is really enriching education for our children. We may ask, how are educators using it as a teaching tool and how are students using it as a learning tool?

One perfect example of the benefits of using technology in the classroom can be illustrated in the Wauwatosa High Schools. Advanced Placement Psychology teachers, Nicole Vitrano of Wauwatosa East and Andy Zietlow of Wauwatosa West, received a $2,828 Education Foundation of Wauwatosa (EFW) grant to optimize the usefulness of iPad technology while enhancing curriculum. EFW grant funding allowed for the purchase of applications such as Psych Test Hero, Brain Mnemonics, Popplet and Track-n-Share which allow students to review content in a way that utilizes visual and auditory content.

In addition, these apps also provide some quizzes which give students immediate feedback on what content they know and understand and what they still need to study. Track-n-Share is a great way for students to track the amount of sleep they get, their mood, caffeine intake, and stress levels. This is a useful tool for students to look for correlations.

Vitrano says that the benefits of these apps as a learning tool is to provide an additional opportunity for students to interact with the content. The review apps are very helpful as students need to take 4 cumulative exams for this course. Popplet allows students to integrate knowledge from all the units they've studied to find similarities and patterns that fit the different psychological perspectives.

The interactive nature of technology and apps keeps students actively engaged in the learning process and reinforces the content being taught in the classroom. The amount of applications available and easy accessibility means they will most likely be a tool that teachers continue to use in years to come.

For more information on this and our other 15 grants, visit www.tosaefw.org.