8 iPad Camera Integration Ideas for 1:1 Classrooms

Many schools are jumping on the iPad bandwagon and the devices are becoming increasingly present in classrooms everywhere. Of course, every 1:1 implementation requires planning and professional development to help educators understand the benefits of use, as well as the limitations of the device. Even if these critical components are included in an iPad rollout, it’s fairly safe to say that some teachers might still feel a bit of angst when the devices actually arrive and they are faced with the reality of using them for teaching and learning.
My advice for teachers who are a bit nervous about a 1:1 iPad implementation is to find your comfort zone and strive to find ways to use the camera on the device to Teach Above the Line, a goal suggested by the SAMR model of tech integration, designed by Dr. Reuban Puentedura. Since I’ve embraced this model, the suggestions here are aligned loosely with the SAMR framework to provide a starting point for teachers at all comfort levels.
iPad Camera Integration Ideas at the Substitution Level
Pics Collage
Padlet
iPad Camera Integration Ideas at the Augmentation Level
Once students get the hang of capturing learning through photos, take advantage of additional iPad features to augment the learning experience. Use the Blooming Orange poster from, Smart Tudor as a guide to challenge students to use higher order thinking skills as they demonstrate learning. Capture a math problem , put together a series of photos to document a science experiment, and let students share and organize the learning through their unique perspective. Here are a couple of tools to get started.
Educreations
Popplet
iPad Camera Integration Ideas at the Modification Level
VoiceThread
ThingLink
iPad Camera Integration Ideas at the Redefinition Level
iMovie App
The iMovie app includes a feature that can be used to turn images into an impressive theater style movie trailer that can include music and genre transitions. This feature rich app is easy to use and the product is impressive. Use scripts to guide the planning process and let students tell their digital stories.
Blogging to Put it All Together
When you get to the point at which students are regularly documenting their learning through images and using a wide variety of apps and web 2.0 tools to complete the task, stop and consider the many possibilities for redefining learning experiences. Combine some of the apps mentioned above to present information and ideas in any way imaginable and then publish them for the world in a blog. At this stage, as a teacher you might need to get out of the way and let students create. Connect with other classrooms through comments and collaboration and showcase the wonderful learning going on in your classroom through a blog.
Final Thoughts
The ideas presented here focus on using photos because I believe the camera provides teachers with a powerful and comfortable starting point for 1:1 iPad integration. Of course, that iPad camera also has video capabilities and the tools shared here are extremely flexible. It is my hope that teachers will embrace the camera, adopt some of the flexible tools presented here, explore additional ways to use those tools, and strive to Teach Above the Line.
Robert Schuetz
Terrific post Susan! I just downloaded the update for YouTube Capture; http://goo.gl/XhhdNv Capture looks like it will support the Modification/Redefinition levels nicely. Capture / edit / add music / upload quickly - not as feature-rich as iMovie, but for quick capture and turnaround - powerful. Couple this with YouTube's embedded editing features and BOOM - interactive videos! Here is one of my favorite examples of an interactive YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JztfejhOlk#t=17 Thanks for sharing.
Louise Morgan
Excellent! I just received 10 ipads for my classroom last week so we will be 2:1. The first thing they did was open the camera and started taking "selfies". I am going to start off slowly and work in to the redifinition phase by using augmented reality apps like Aurasma - using a photo as the trigger image and then adding a video "aura". Thanks for the great suggestions!
Robert
Hi Susan,
We couldn't agree more. We started this journey three and a half years ago. You might to take a look at our iPad portal? http://ipad.redlands.qld.edu.au/
Reuben Bathgate
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the ideas! I teach at an international school in China so we're well resourced and have had iPads for a few years now. We've just started using Easy Blog Jr with our G2 and below for independent blogging. The app is so simple our 4 year olds are using it by themselves. I teach PE and I use it in every class to share a snapshot of each day's learning, the kids and their families love it - especially those extended family members who are living back in their home countries.
Carla
We're super excited to announce that the Padlet Pad app is out! Andoroid version coming soon! Click here to download: https://itunes.apple.com/ph/app/id834618886.