Assignment1

Assignment 1: Review of Five Articles

1) __ The iPad and Education __ This article was written to show the excitement educators had when they were learning about the iPad. It tells of many of the ideas people had for using the iPad in the classroom. People at this time envisioned the iPad being used as a collaboration tool and a way to interact with maps, texts, and photographs. It was also believed that the iPad would allow textbooks to be sold for a lower price. The author states his belief that the iPad "has the potential to change the way teachers teach and students learn" (Offen, 2010).It is interesting to read this article after implementing iPads in the classrooms at FIL. I remember wondering how an iPad could be used in the classroom and if it would be worth the investment. I would venture to say that we are just scratching the surface of iPad in education. They can be used in so many ways with so many different kinds of learners. I would say that I agree with the author. iPads will change how we teach and how students learn. Once teachers admit that they are a tool that engages today's learners and a tool that opens the door to countless learning opportunities, teaching will be different!

Offen, N. (2010, June 18). The iPad and Education. //The Herald Sun//, p. 1.

2) __The School that Gives Every Student an iPad__ Cedar Schools of Excellence in Scotland has given each of their students an iPad as a way to merge learning and technology. iPads were deployed due to the need for more computer time for all students. There were not enough desktop units in the school to meet the needs of the teachers and the students. The author mentions that teachers were able to integrate the iPads in their classes. An art teacher in the school has mentioned how the iPad have made the art students more confident, since they can "undo" their work if they make a mistake (Grannell, 2010). This article has reinforced my belief that an iPad doesn't need to be used all day, but is a tool that students should be learning on as our world moves to more electronic content. I was also relieved to read that the Head of Computing at the school found the set-up of the iPads to not be as easy as it is to implement them in the classroom. I also liked the reminder that technology isn't a reward; it is a way of learning that happens at the school every day. Finally, the author mentions that the iPad has "become a research and creativity tool across all subjects; because of this, minds are being expanded and experiences broadened, not restricted" (Grannell, 2010, p. 2). This is due to the fact the iPad allows teachers and students the freedom to explore and create - it is not a scripted program that you have to follow.

Grannell, C. (2010, December 30). The School that Gives Every Student an iPad. //MacFormat//, 228, 1-2.

3) __Elementary iPad__ This article talks about a school that is allowing their second and third grade students to use iPads in the classroom with the goal of preparing them for the "21st century academic and work world” (McCrea, 2011, p. 1). Teachers at these grade levels were requesting to use iPads in their classrooms rather than laptops. iPads are used in math lessons for drawing geometric shapes. Other uses include games that teach, spelling lessons, and internet research. Teachers have had to put in extra work to implement the devices in their classrooms, but the reward has been engaged students in their classrooms. This article has reinforced for me the fact that it was time for us at FIL to start an iPad pilot program last year. Just like the teachers mentioned in the article, our teachers had a lot to learn to implement the devices and find proper uses for the iPads. As a principal, I noticed that our students were more engaged with iPads as a learning tool and teachers were able to differentiate math practice as well. These are reasons that have influenced our decision to purchase iPads for other grade levels as we move forward.

McCrea, B. (2011). Elementary iPads.//The Journal//, //May 4//. Retrieved June 21, 2012, from thejournal.com/articles/2011/05/04/elementary-ipads.aspx?m=2

4) __Teaching and Learning: Using iPads in the Classroom__ This article is based on the question, "what would I do with them (iPads) that I could not do with other tools that are available and cheaper" (Johnson, 2011, p. 1)? The first answer the author mentions is that they allow for kinesthetic learning due to the motion sensing ability of an iPad. They can be used to measure things like acceleration and to control the movement of objects. Second, the iPad's features allow them to document data by using the camera, dictation, and note-taking applications that can then be immediately shared with others. Third, the iPads ability to connect to the Internet allows students to access a multitude of information at a moment's notice. Finally, apps on an iPad are able to "engage and challenge" children in the classroom in many innovative ways. This article reminds me that there are many ways an iPad can be used in a classroom that I am not even aware of. I need to continually be reviewing articles like this one to learn new ways that my teachers and I can use iPads in the classroom. I like that this author focuses on the kinesthetic learning style that more students are bringing to our classroom today. I need to be sure that the teachers at FIL are using the iPads in this manner on a regular basis.

Johnson, B. (2011, October 31). Teaching and Learning: Using iPads in the Classroom. K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work | Edutopia. Retrieved June 21, 2012, from http://edutopia.org

5) __Science Class Flashes with iPads__ This article shares information on an iPad pilot project in a Crystal Lake, IL seventh-grade classroom. Students start class by checking their email to find the teacher's plan for the class period. One class began with the students watching a video before they began a group assignment on their iPad. The students enjoy the ability to access the internet and information they need, and they also find learning to be more interesting than when they use a textbook. The program has resulted in students learning faster than they did with traditional teaching methods. They are also learning technology skills that transfer to real-life. Teachers have also noticed an increase in student communication and motivation due to the use of the iPad. This is an article that shows how a teacher has transformed a traditional classroom into one that seems to rely a lot on the use of iPad. It is interesting how the lesson is shared with the student in the form an email - I would hope that they teacher is still interacting on a personal level with the students. Once again, the research is showing that students are more eager to learn and appear to be more engaged when they are able to learn on a mobile device. It seems clear to me that we need to help teachers effectively integrate technology devices into their classrooms on an everyday basis.

Johnson, B. (2011, October 31). Teaching and Learning: Using iPads in the Classroom. //K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work | Edutopia//. Retrieved June 21, 2012, from http://edutopia.org