What are the effects of
using iPads in the elementary school classroom?
How can they be used in whole class teaching, groups, and independently? Will students be more engaged in lessons if
iPads are used?
The school district I work
in is providing teachers with one iPad per classroom for the upcoming school
year. I want to research ways that
teachers can use these in their teaching.
Even though I am not currently teaching a class of my own, I feel that
this is something I will be able to use in the future and to help teachers that
I work with now. Student engagement is
an issue that is becoming more and more difficult to accomplish because of the
technology that kids today are constantly exposed to in their every day life. If we could use iPads to help engage students,
then we will then see in increase in student achievement.
Other teachers, principals,
and administrators will find these questions significant as well. Teachers will be able to understand how to
use iPads effectively. Principals can
use the information to help teachers that may have more difficultly or just
need a little extra help. Administrators
can use the information to determine if more iPads should be purchased and made
available for all students to have one of their own to use in the classroom.
A study was done in Auburn,
Maine that randomly provided half of the districts kindergarten classrooms with
iPads to use for nine weeks. The results
from this study were that the students that used iPads outperformed students
that did not use them. Along with the
higher scores they also found that the students with the iPads were more
motivated and engaged in their learning.
Research has also shown
that the combination of rich graphics, touch screen, and fast processing speed
is increasing student engagement. There
are so many uses for iPads in the classroom.
Research has shown that there are great applications that allow for
students to be creative and use critical thinking. First and second grade students in Arlington,
Virginia have created online books that include their writing, images, and
links to outside sources such as videos and websites. They then were able to share these with their
peers and parents by publishing their work to the web.
Experts say that there are
legitimate reasons for using iPads in education. In comparison to laptops and other devices,
iPads are the better option. They have a
battery life that last 8-10 hours, so you could go the entire school day
without having to plug into a charge cord.
They are lightweight and easily portable from one spot to the next,
whether it be switching classrooms or just moving around the classroom. The have a larger screen size than a
smartphone, which makes it easier to see and look for information.
A pilot program was done in
Virginia that purchased iPads for each student in certain school districts to
use in grades 4th, 7th, and 9th grade social
studies classrooms. There were problems
that occurred during this program, such as teachers having to learn as they
went and problems with the content being too advanced for the 4th
grade students. Even with these problems
the students and teachers supported the continuing of the program. After reading about this program, it is clear
that using iPads in the classroom is something that needs continued research
and work get the best results.
References:
Dalrymple, Jim. (2012, February 17). iPad Improves
Kindergarteners Literacy Scores. Retrieved from http://www.loopinsight.com/2012/02/17/ipad-improves-kindergartners-literacy-scores/
Levy, Peter. (2011, July 11). Putting the iPad to Work in
Elementary Classrooms. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/07/11/putting-the-ipad-to-work-in-elementary-classrooms.aspx
Quillen, Ian. (2011, June 15). Educators Evaluate Learning
Benefits of iPad. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2011/06/15/03mobile.h04.html
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