Switch On LEARNING!: Gizmos on the iPad

Switch on Learning (description)

At the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, we are Switching on Learning by integrating Google’s powerful ecosystem into every classroom. This blog is a dedicated space for sharing the ideas, methodologies, and digital tools that transform the modern educational experience. Our Digital Toolkit We empower educators and students by leveraging a robust, collaborative environment: Google Workspace for Education: Driving seamless collaboration through Docs, Drive, and Classroom. The Power of AI: Utilizing Gemini and integrated AI features to personalize learning and spark creativity. Data-Driven Assessment: Using MarkBook to track student growth with precision and transparency. The Process of Learning: Leveraging Revision History to emphasize growth, iteration, and the visible journey of a student's work. From interactive Chrome tools to digital storytelling, we aren't just using tech—we’re using it to bridge gaps, foster global collaboration, and future-proof our students' skills.

One of the biggest drawbacks with the iPad could be its lack of ability to play Flash objects. For the most part this is becoming less of an issue as more and more sites adopt HTML5 as their standard. But for older sites that were built on Flash, they might be slow in making the switch, or deciding to not make the switch or have chosen some other alternative to accommodate the Cult of Apple.

Seeing that so many iPads have been introduced into schools I am sure that is why Explore Learning has decided to do the latter and created an app that allows you to access all of the Gizmos on the iPad. There was an earlier version that was a Sampler of some Gizmos but now the full compliment of Gizmos are now available on the new app (or at least it looks like all of them).

Once you have downloaded the app (which is free from the iTunes store) you then have two ways to use the Gizmos:

1. Open the Gizmos app on your device and your regular Gizmos login (or your students can use theirs) and you are in. Just choose your Gizmo and go to town.

The drawback of this one is that your students won't have access to all the assessment modules and class management features.

2. The other way is to go and log into the website version (through Safari or other browser) on your iPad and then when you tap to go to the Gizmo you want you will see a new screen that has the assessment questions and a button to open the Gizmo on the Gizmo app.

Besides having all the class management and assessment features available here, one of the nice things about this one is that when you have set your classes up and your students log in, they can easily get to the Gizmos you have added to your class.

Once in the app you should notice that the Gizmos look and behave almost identical to what you would see on a computer.