iPads in the Classroom
Children of all ages are familiar with computers, but iPad apps provide them with novel and engaging methods of learning curriculum subjects as well as a new way of accessing books and preparing presentations. The article, "iPads in the Classroom are Changing the Face of Education," discuses the use of iPads in two Maine school district classrooms. It identifies the iPad as "a chameleon in the classroom with the flexibility to adapt to any kind of curriculum. All that's needed is a school administrator who is willing to adopt to it." The iPad has shown "poerful potential" in reforming education, however, "the true usefulness of an iPad in the classroom is something that's still up for debate."
A nine week case study was performed at an Auburn School District, in kindergarten classrooms, with "aims to raise literacy and numeracy skills from 63% and 60% (Spring 2011), to 90% in the 2014-2015." The kindergarten classrooms that utilized the iPads "showed increased improvement results over the non-iPad classrooms. The results show that the iPad can initiate positive change." Michael Muir, the school district's change specialist, explained how they choose the program because of the anecdotal evidence that it would work and plans "to expand the test program to first grade next year."
The Foxcroft Academy implemented "a one-to-one program" that gave each student and teacher a 16 GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi, plus copies of iWork and iMovie. The students had individual IDs for access of apps for usage with their iPads at home. Jonathan Pratt, Asst. Head of School for Academics, explained that "the iPad had interesting possibilities in terms of helping students access what they know [while interacting] in a very different way with material and information." Pratt conducted student surveys "to truly measure the use of iPads." 83% of the student body felt more interested in school when they used an iPad and 86% said it was easier to gather information. Pratt concluded that "there's something different when you're touching the screen instead of using the abstraction of a mouse. I don't know if it's unique to the iPad or the ability to just Google (something) in their hands."
However, on the other hand, there are some challenges in bringing the iPad into the curriculum as noted by a teacher at the academy, Julie Willcott. She explained how she has to completely adjust the way she teaches and finding sufficient time and knowledge to fully implement the use of the iPad in the classroom. She went on to say that she has to keep eyes on the students making sure they are on task and the iPad is "another item for teachers to manage in the classroom and the frequency of students being off task usually decreases once the novelty of the device wears off."
Even though , it is evident how the iPad is useful in the classroom and has a significant impact on technology and education, there still is a problem of the cost; "finding the money to pay for them." Pratt feels that it's more cost efficient in the long run to invest in apps for the iPad rather than buying textbooks every few years. So, what do you think.....iPads or textbooks? Certainly, I am for the new technology and the advantage of "every student having immediate access to the Internet." From the words of Apple VP Phil Schiller, who said that " education is deep in Apple's DNA." I couldn't agree more.
Classroom Activities
Community Helpers: Have the students take pictures and/or video of their role play activities. Create a multi-modal book about community helpers using their personal visits to the community helper of their choice; doctors, nurses, post office(postman), baker, police, fireman, librarian, school teacher..... I would allow the students to dress up in their role play costumes. The book could be read and enjoyed on the iPad within the apps.
Famous People: Who Am I: Could be a Black History Month activity or an Introduction of themselves (during the first weeks or month of school); Use the iPad to take a good full face head and shoulders shot and have the students record 3 questions and who am I? The students then guess who the famous person is. The students could dress in costumes of the famous person. This activity could be used as a game with teams. Can be combined with any subject area.
Math Drills: Individual or groups, students can practice mathematical skills; the app keeps track of their scores and progress.
Miss Spell's Class: Helps students become better spellers and expand their vocabulary.
The Skleleton 3D Anatomy: Can be used to examine a person's skeleton and dissect a human body.
The Map Projector: Students learn about historical events and what happened through the event.
Reference
Ion, F. (2012, April 18). Ipads in the classroom are changing the face of education. Retrieved November
10, 2012, from the Mac Life website:
http://www.Maclife.com/article/features/ipads_classroom_are_changing_face_education
Twitter Resource
Edudemic@Edudemic; 15 Ways to Use the iPad in Classrooms
Web Resources
I found two very interesting videos about integrating iPads into the instructional lessons.
The Ipad Classroom
How to Use iPads in the Classroom
This link has an awesome video about the iPad use during a Writer's Workshop. I thought it was too cute not to mention.
http://www.scoop.it/t/ipad-lessons/p/3253463583/writer-s-workshop-poetry-lesson-with-the-ipad
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