In the morning one of the first things I hear is: “Mommy, can I play the iPad2?” Not can I play the iPad but iPad2. Ugh.
My answer is always the same. “No - it’s a school day, time to get ready for school.”
But still, every day is like Groundhog Day and I get the same question from my 5 year old son.
So I have to face it – my kids live in a digital age. I live in a digital age. I actually embrace and love the fact that we are in an age of technology and love when it is used effectively. I use technology all the time, I might even offer up that I’m slightly obsessed with technology and all things techy… Currently I’m learning from a friend what it means to have ”21st century learning in education” and what that should look like. I might be getting back up on my soapbox soon…
For example, did you know in some schools they use iPads on a 1:1 basis? Every teacher and student uses an iPad for classroom discussions, presentations, homework, EVERYTHING! Can you imagine? It’s very exciting stuff.
At home, we use the iPad for a lot of things: reference, learning, email, recipes, playing games, watching movies and most recently books. I do have some favorite Apps that I prefer my kids to use if they are going to have ‘screen’ time, ones that I deem educational. Luckily, my kids and I tend to agree on what is a good game (except Angry Birds of course). … hmmm…I think a future post is going to be about some of my favorite educational apps.
Most recently, I introduced my kids to the new My Little Pony App: Twilight Sparkle: Teacher for a Day and we all loved it. The app is not really “an App” but more of an interactive book. It reminds me of when I used to have the Disney record player with the books that would chime when you needed to turn the page. Remember that? I LOVED THAT!
Did you have one of these?
The My Little Pony App has 3 different features: Read to Me, Read the Book, and Read and Record.
It basically covers all the bases.
On their own the children can start the App and listen to the story being read to them. Along the way they can interact with some of the characters and make elements on the page come to life – a neat feature which captures their imaginations.
My favorite feature? You can read and record the book or they can read and then record it.
This is THE coolest.
Imagine the possibilities?!
You are heading out of town and you want to read your child a bedtime story – BINGO! it’s been recorded for them! Or, take the app with you next time you go to visit a grandparent or special Aunt and PRESTO! Special storytime when you get back home.
My daughter likes to practice her own reading by recording her storytelling and listening back to it. It’s been a great confidence booster for her as she’s practicing her reading.
Yes, the App does have a couple of simple games built into it, but honestly, it’s 95% book and 5% games. And my kids have much preferred to read and listen to their own recordings than anything else. It’s been a fun way to encourage and practice reading in our house.
So that’s my quick thought/share for the day…. I’m off to try to learn more about this learning stuff and wrap my head around it. Some times there just aren’t enough hours in the day!
Later!
S.
My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle: Teacher for a Day is available through iTunes for the iPad and iPhone.
