Article+Critiques

This article mainly discusses the advantages the iPad has over other technology devices we currently use in the classroom. The iPad is an extremely versatile technology tool. It is a device that is not limited to completing only one action, for example an e-reader can only be used to read books. iPads are more cost effective than laptops, they can be easily shared between classrooms because they are so mobile, and their many features offer great opportunities for our digital age students.
 * How Will the iPad Change Education? **

Reference: R. Reynolds. (2010, January 27). PBS Teacherline: How will the iPad change education? [Web logcomment]. Retrieved from: []

In this article we saw how the iPad can impact education from many different educational perspectives. Students see the iPad as just another great technological device for them to use. The only thing separating many kids from having one is the cost. I thought it was interesting that the student who was interviewed in the article said she was disappointed to hear that the iPad would not have a camera. Kids growing up in this digital world are some of the greatest critiques of new technology and quite frankly given the time could probably design and create their own technological devices. From a teacher’s perspective the iPad will be much more cost effective for classrooms compared to laptops that are currently being purchased. iPads are also by far going to much more engaging for students as well.
 * Measuring the iPad’s Potential for Education **

Reference: McCrea, B. (2010) Measuring the iPads Potential for Education. The Journal. Retrieved from: []

Jody Becker, a teacher at Woodrow Wilson School, in Port Huron Michigan received a $13,000 technology grant and was able to purchase 16 iPads to be used in her classroom. Many other districts across the state of Michigan are starting to bring iPads into the classrooms as well. What I find interesting is that the districts are choosing to start implementing the iPads in the elementary classrooms first and are then slowing introducing them into the middle schools as well. This is not something we hear of very often. Usually new technology is given to high school students and then //slowly// trickles down to the elementary students. That may have worked in the past when younger kids didn’t have as much experience with technology. However, today our youngest learners are the ones that need to start with the technology integration, in this case iPads. The kids in Jody Becker’s classroom use many apps to help them with their learning; including learning to type and math fact practice. Jody no longer has to make math flashcards for each child, she can download an app and away they go. The most powerful idea from this article is that with the elimination of buying actual textbooks and adopting the idea of using e-textbooks districts are going to be saving a great deal of money. Instead of trying to keep up with the maintenance of outdated laptops money would be better spent on buying sets of iPads for classrooms.
 * Area Classrooms Incorporate iPads into Lessons **

Reference: Garcia, C. (2011, September 23) Area Classrooms Incorporate iPads into Lessons. The Times Herald. Retrieved from: []

In this article we learned about two classroom teachers who began using iPads in their classrooms during the 2010-2011. James Harmon, a sophomore English teacher in Ohio found that students who used iPads in the year leading up to their graduation test had a greater chance of passing the tests reading and writing sections compared to those who did not have access. Using the iPad as a teaching tool in his classroom, Harmon also found that students who previously wrote very little in their journals wrote more when they were able to type their entries on the iPad. Harmon allowed students to play scrabble during class time if they finished their work early. He found that his students were gaining a great deal of curiosity in his students. When they pulled together a string of long letters to try to get a large score and their word was accepted they were curious what the word meant and began using the dictionary to look up these new words. At Westbrook Elementary in Omaha, Nebraska iPads were introduced in kindergarten classrooms. Five and six year olds were able to take what they were learning in large group instruction and have independent practice activities using the iPad. We want to get children engaged in their learning and what better way to do it than with technology like the iPad. As stated in this article, adding iPads to our classroom cannot be the only way we try to improve our classroom instruction but it can definitely have an impact.
 * iPads Make Better Readers, Writers **

Reference: Pierce, M. (2011) iPads Make Better Readers and Writers. The Journal. Retrieved from: []

Many educators think about how wonderful it would be to have a classroom set of iPads. Our major roadblock is often the cost of the devices themselves. However, in this article it is apparent that there are many more roadblocks that need to be addressed before introducing iPads into a classroom. At a private school in Florida teachers and administrators prepared for the introduction of iPads for over a year before rolling them out this fall. 300 high school students at the Master’s Academy were given iPads to use at home and at school. I know in my district we have thought about how this could work. How do you make sure the kids take care of them, what if they don’t bring them back to school? At the Master’s Academy they addressed many of these concerns in digestible chunks. They held 12 orientation sessions for parents and students; some of the topics discussed included covering the “iPad agreement” that each family signed, proper care and usage of the devices as well as an overview of insurance forms and device coverage that could be purchased. The next step was to create wireless access throughout their school. They also had to figure out how to best secure the devices seeing as students would be using them at home outside of the school’s safe, secure network. The school opted to select a third party mobile device to address the issue. With the software provided the school can still monitor student usage even when they are using the iPad outside of the school building. According to the assistant superintendent, Mitchell Salerno, the rollout has been very successful.
 * Lessons from an iPad Rollout **

Reference: McCrea, B. (2011) Lessons from an iPad Rollout. The Journal. Retrieved from: []

Tower School in Marblehead, Massachusetts has started a 1:1 iPad program for their students in grades 3 through 8. During the previous school year, 2010-2011, Tower School had participated in a pilot program using tablets computers in their classrooms. After the success that program had the Head of the School, Peter S. Philip, decided he wanted his students to be on the forefront of 21st century skills so he chose to start the 1:1 iPad program. As in similar articles I have already discussed, one of the major challenges was increasing his schools wireless capabilities. Philip is funding the iPads through school tuition. He chose to lease the iPads because he will have greater opportunities after the three year lease is up to upgrade to newer versions. Training for students and teachers has been planned. As stated in the article, the training for students will be minimal as many of them are already proficient in using the device. The teachers are eager to use the new technology with their students. The easiest training will be learning how to operate the iPad, the more difficult training will be how to use the tool to enhance student learning.
 * Tower Schools 1:1 Program Brings iPad2 to the Elementary Classroom **

Reference: Taborn, T. (2011) Tower Schools 1:1 Program Brings iPad2 to the Elementary Classroom. The Journal. Retrieved from: []

Stephan Decatur School in Philadelphia will begin the 2011-2012 school year with a new iPad lab. The school’s principal Charles Connor is very proactive and wants his students to develop their 21st century skills and have a leg up on other children their age when it comes to choosing high schools and colleges. Connor was rewarded $10,000 through the Lindback Foundation Award which he used to create the new iPad lab. In addition to the iPads many other educational technology programs are starting this year at the school. Students in seventh grade will create digital portfolios which will include videos, as well as written evidence of work they have done. There will be a virtual help desk that will be run by eighth grade students who will provide technical support to teachers and fellow classmates. These are just a few of the highlights of the great technology integration at Stephan Decatur School. I think the most powerful thing going on at this school is that much of the technology is run and created by the students!
 * Philadelphia Elementary School Students Treated to a New iPad Lab **

Reference: Meyer, L. (2011) Philadelphia Elementary School Students Treated to a new iPad Lab. The Journal. Retrieved from: []