After reading the Horizon Report: K-12 Edition, I can't help but get excited about the use of tables in an educational setting. In the spring of 2012, I was required to research emerging technology for a class I was taking. I chose iPads and spent a semester get well acquainted with all the amazing ways I could use an iPad in my high school learning support math classes. This publication renews my excitement for many reasons because as a special education teacher in an inner city setting, I am faced with numerous challenges each day. A few of the challenges that the iPad can help combat include increased class sizes, budget cuts, and competition with personal electronic devices not being used for academic reasons.
When I started teaching at my school 5 years ago, my largest class was 14 students. This year my largest class is 34 students where I am providing instruction in both Algebra I and Geometry during the class period. If each student in my class were to have an iPad, I would still be able to provide the very individualized instruction I was able to provide 5 years ago to small groups. If they had iPads each student would be able to work on skills that have previously identified as areas of need as well receive different assignments based on their strengths and needs. Students would also be able to work at a rate closer to their own pace instead of the needs of the general class dictating the pace.
In my school district, budgets are being cut and supplies are not being distributed. I must now buy my own copy paper for everything from handouts and homework to IEPs, IEP invites, and reevaluations. If each student had the use of an iPad, paper would no longer be as large as an issue. Students would be able to receive and submit work electronically. It would also allow me to share work with parents and guardians via email. Students would also be more prepared to compete with their peers at the college level if given the use of an iPad. The students in my school have access to very little technology and therefore are not very fluent in things that are not social networking. iPads would enable them to improve their technology skills so that they are better prepared to face the world that meets them after high school.
The final challenge that iPads could help alleviate is competition with personal electronic devices not being used for academic reasons. My students love to try to text, browse facebook, and listen to music during class because they are 21st century students who crave the use of technology. iPads would allow my students to use the technology they love, to learn.
Jessica, tablet computing has exploded onto the education scene in the last two years. They are a cheaper alternative to laptops and desktops. When Apple released the iPad, a lot of educators were quick to buy them and start using them in the classroom. 1:1s are now becoming a lot more common in school districts. The iPad hasn't had much competition but more companies now are looking to create cheaper and lighter tablets. Hopefully the competition will mean cheaper, higher quality devices for teachers!
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