A Look Inside the iPad Classroom

January 26, 2011 | 3:30 PM | By

Jeannetta Mitchell’s eighth-grade algebra class looks just like any other — students, teacher, desks. But instead of a print textbook, students are experimenting with the iPad. Take a look at how the class period unfolds.

Use the up and down arrows on your keyboard to navigate through images.

Enter the iPad

Enter the iPad

Permalink

Jeannetta Mitchell has been teaching for 20 years, and conducts her class with humor and patience.

Inspiring Teacher

Jeannetta Mitchell has been teaching for 20 years, and conducts her class with humor and patience.

Permalink

Students in the iPad pilot program don't have to carry around the heavy algebra textbooks this year.

Out With the Old

Students in the iPad pilot program don't have to carry around the heavy algebra textbooks this year.

Permalink

Each student is given an iPad that he or she can take home.

Tools for School

Each student is given an iPad that he or she can take home.

Permalink

Students work out equations on the classroom white board so Ms. Mitchell can see their progression.

Work it Out

Students work out equations on the classroom white board so Ms. Mitchell can see their progression.

Permalink

An interactive quiz alerts Ms. Mitchell on students' progress.

Pop Quiz

An interactive quiz alerts Ms. Mitchell on students' progress.

Permalink

Ms. Mitchell works with students who need more attention, while others can progress at their own pace.

One on One

Ms. Mitchell works with students who need more attention, while others can progress at their own pace.

Permalink

Students work out equations using pen and paper so Ms. Mitchell can see their logic.

Old and New

Students work out equations using pen and paper so Ms. Mitchell can see their logic.

Permalink

Students are called on to chime in with answers and input.

Class Participation

Students are called on to chime in with answers and input.

Permalink

Using humor and jokes and everything in her toolbox, Ms. Mitchell engages her students.

Math is Fun!

Using humor and jokes and everything in her toolbox, Ms. Mitchell engages her students.

Permalink

Students pay close attention in class.

Eyes on Me

Students pay close attention in class.

Permalink

Videos on the iPad app explain how to solve equations one step at a time.

Step by Step

Videos on the iPad app explain how to solve equations one step at a time.

Permalink

Students use videos as supplements to Ms. Mitchell's instructions in class.

Video Guides

Students use videos as supplements to Ms. Mitchell's instructions in class.

Permalink

Ms. Mitchell takes a survey of who has the correct answer.

A Show of Hands

Ms. Mitchell takes a survey of who has the correct answer.

Permalink

  • Pimathman

    Regarding “Using humor and jokes and everything in her toolbox, Ms. Mitchell engages her students.” I hope Ms. Mitchell doesn’t think 3^(-2) is .03 or think that pattern continues.

    • Anonymous

      Good catch! She was actually writing down students’ answers at that point.

    • Jeannetta Mitchell

      The picture shows what the students thought a negative exponent indicated (number of decimal places). They were directed to discover that the negative power became a positive in the denominator, or the reciprocal (3^-2 = reciprocal of 3^2)

  • Helenharrisonharrison

    Hi! This is really intriguing to me as a new teacher! I was wondering if the curriculum you are using on the Ipad is actually loaded on a server or directly on the Ipad?

    • Anonymous

      Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has actually created the algebra app for the iPad, so it lives on the device.

  • AppDev12

    What’s with all the paper and pencils?

    Why are they using a dry erase board instead of the teachers main iPad hooked up to a screen or projector?

    I don’t think they quite get what to do with this tech.

  • Johnson Magnet School

    What a great way to integrate iPads with your math curriculum.
     Ms. Mitchell do you have a twitter tag?  Would love to follow you and learn