Here are just some suggestions for using ShowMe in class.
Virtual whiteboards:
With a class set of iPads, ShowMe can be used during whole teachng in the place of the much more traditional whiteboards. One advantage to this is that the children can record their methods during main teaching and play them back to themselves as a visual prompt during independent working. A handy reminder of how they should be setting out their work / solving problems. (The pens can't conveniently run out either)
ShowMe can also be used as a means to support individuals, or groups or children, who need support when a teacher or support assistant are unavailable. For example, during main teaching where more able children could really benefit from a greater challenge than what the rest of the class is being taught or for an individual (or group) working at a different level or pace to others. Or simply when you are unable to spread yourself as far as you would like.
An example of this is shown below. In a Year 2 class, a group of children were much more able and talented in mathematics than their peers. It was simply not appropriate for them to take part in some of the main teaching strategies. Therefore they needed a greater challenge. However, as with many challenges, the children needed some support, to guide them with what they were doing.
Through using ShowMe, the children were able to be left with problems to solve that were an appopriate challenge. They were given a short explanation to remind them how to approach the questions and were then left a single iPad (works well in single iPad classrooms) with a video explanation of what to do. The children were then able to replay the methods they needed to use to reinforce what they should be doing.
Another example of using an iPad app to support children or groups can be seen in a post on BookCreator here: http://5tanfieldlea.weebly.com/1/post/2013/10/book-creator-creating-digital-books-ibooks.html
The two examples below are screengrabs from ShowMes explaining finding change using a number line and grid method for multiplicaton. Both used in Year 2.
In a similar manner to above, it is also nice for the children to be able to explain what they have been doing to help support others as well as way of reinforcing their understanding. These can then be shared on the class blog, which children could refer to to assist with homework activities (particularly if the method isnt something that their parents will have used at school)
Some examples:
Fact Families
http://1tanfieldlea.weebly.com/1/post/2014/02/jessicas-show-me.html
Explaining Grid Method
http://5tanfieldlea.weebly.com/1/post/2013/09/brook-and-roan-explain-grid-method.html
Multiplying Decimals
http://5tanfieldlea.weebly.com/1/post/2013/09/drew-and-rachel-explain-multiplying-by-decimals.html