Guided practice

I find that I waste way too much paper when I have students do their first few problems on paper.  Most of my students throw the paper out rather than use it as an example for later, so I have them use an app like doodle buddy or SAS gloss.  Doodle buddy is more of an art program where students can use their fingers to try the problem.  It allows them to choose the background, the ink, insert text, etc.  I usually walk around the class checking their progress, answering questions, etc.  if they have done the problem correctly, I draw a smiley face, if not, they get a frowny face.  They can save the image and email it if desired.  The other program offers a bit more.
Gloss offers the drawing surface but it also allows you to choose graph paper, wide ruled or college ruled paper as a background.  This program also allows you to add shapes, write or insert text and is easier to use in a math class room.  I am going to install this program in a day or two and try it out.  I am thinking it might offer me a way to increase the amount of writing I have them do in class.  I will keep you posted on how it goes.

But it didn't work!

When using iPads in the classroom, not every site works as anticipated.  iPads do not do flash or java applets, so if you send the kids to a site that relies on flash or java, it won't work.  I discovered that one day when I sent kids off to a virtual manipulative web site.  It didn't work so I hurriedly readjusted my plans.  I did research and discovered the iPad's limitations.  So off I went to figure out how to do what I wanted to do without pulling my hair out. 
First thing I did was go to the app store to check things out.  I found Rover which is a browser designed to be used by k-12. It is actually a cloud based flash streaming platform that allows iPad users to access flash based websites. It is a bit slow at times but it allows students to access more sites than in the past. It may run a bit slow for me since we sometimes have bandwidth issues and that often slows down all internet usage.
I do have to try the web page in the web browser on the iPad to see if it works.  If not, I go to Rover and if it works, great, if not then I look for alternate sites.
One website I use quite often is www.mathisfun.com  It has pre-algebra, algebra geometry and algebra II materials.  One reason I like it so much is that in addition to explaining the material, it also has a quiz to go with most of the topics.  I can have the students take the quiz, write down  their work and answers and turn it in.
The thing about the iPad is learning what works and what does not.