Workbooks Are Scrapped for iPads

By COLlive reporter

Both the Rebbe and (lehavil) Steve Jobs would have been proud.

A Chabad after-school enrichment program is gaining momentum for creating a “workbook free zone” and centering their Jewish learning around the iPad device.

“JUDA: Judaism through the Arts” in China, with branches in Hong Kong (run by Mrs. Goldie Avtzon) and in Lantau – Discovery Bay (run by Rabbi Mendy and Lifshy Ajzenszmidt), was founded 4 years ago to bring Yiddishkeit alive through creativity.

Intended for boys and girls ages 3-11, all teaching takes place through drama, creative art and interactive and fun games. Divided into three age-groups, the children learn Mitzvos, Jewish values, holidays, life lessons and stories.

Following its success, the Shluchim were looking to add a new dimension and found their answer last summer after visiting an “Apple Camp,” the free tutorial hours for children at retail stores of Apple Inc.

“The children learned how to use iMovie and other apps and we thought this could be an excellent addition to our JUDA program,” says the U.S.-born Avtzon, co-director of Chabad of Hong Kong.

Thanks to a generous parent, 8 iPad tablet devices were purchased, allowing JUDA to take the children’s creativity one step further by using educational technology already available for iPads.

“Instead of listening to a teacher tell them the story about a particular Yom Tov and its related mitzvos and minhagim, the kids are now given a list of web links to visit and a “detective” sheet of questions which they need to answer,” she said.

“Through listening and watching pre-selected online videos they quickly gather the information they need without realizing how much they are actually in learning mode.”

With many children easily navigating electronic devices at a young age, the students are able to be “up and running” in no time and produce results, whether it’s by creating short clips with iMovie, slide-shows using Keynote or animated claymations using smoovie.

“JUDA is Jolie‘s favorite after-school activity,” said one mother who sends her daughter to many extracurricular activities. “She has learned so much this year and has evolved intellectually and spiritually beyond what I ever could have imagined – all while having fun.”

Another mother related, “JUDA was an excellent experience for Eitan. He loved every moment there. He learned, enjoyed and most importantly, developed a very positive attitude, warm emotions and pride in Jewish life.”