iPod Touches Produce Steady Improvement at Bandelier ES

Bandelier ES teacher Loretta Murphy wrote a Horizon Grant last fall entitled Integrating iPod Touches into Independent Reading To Improve Reading Ability . She was delighted when she received the grant and is even more delighted at the end of the year with the results and with the possibilities for next year.

Teacher Loretta Murphy and her 2nd grade Banda Bears work with iPods during independent reading.

May 11, 2012

Research has shown that increased reading time each day equates to better readers.  The problem, stated in Ms. Murphy's grant application, "lies with engaging students so that independent reading time is productive and effective.  The solution comes by putting a highly engaging iPod Touch in the students' hands."

The iPods were not introduced until after Thanksgiving and Ms. Murphy is looking forward to their immediate use at the beginning of the next school year.  She said, “I wanted the students to improve accuracy, fluency, comprehension and analysis with increased engagement of targeted tasks during independent reading time.”  It took a little time for students to master the various APPs and to learn to review and repeat work until it was their best effort.  Students eventually learned to send their work to the teacher’s Dropbox and e-mail account.  During a recent grant observation, it was apparent that students were all working on task and were on their way to mastering the iPod Touch possibilities.  The APS Education Foundation appreciates all of the Horizon Campaign sponsors who make these opportunities available for students and teachers.