IPads in the Classroom

For my third post, I wanted to investigate the use of IPads in schools. This idea is fascinating to me, and I look forward to the ways in which such technology could enhance a classroom. I decided to look into how many schools use IPads across the country, and how they are used. The first resource I came to that discussed this new phenomenon was a website aptly named, "IPadsinschool.com"

This website is really interesting. The first article I came to addressed the issue of technology replacing teachers altogether, and the teacher's role within a technologically advanced classroom. I liked how the author mentioned that machines cannot supervise, and that regardless of how much children can learn on their own with the right resources, a teacher will always be needed to guide, mentor, direct, motivate, model, etc. I strongly agree with this. One of the things that is so frustrating about becoming a teacher is that so many people honestly believe that teachers don't do anything - that a monkey could do the job. Nothing could be farther from the truth. And anyone who is a teacher, knows a teacher, or who has half a brain, would know the truth. That teachers play so many roles, it's impossible to list.

The very next article caught my attention too. It showed a picture of a young boy on an IPhone, and then a stroller with a computer attached. Really?? I honestly support the use of technology, and think that it is a valuable tool to be used with children. But it should never replace interaction, socialization, and the simple act of picking up a book, or sorting color and shape blocks. Children NEED hands on stimulation, and touching a screen does not measure up. As I said before, technology is a valuable TOOL, but should never full on replace all other ways of learning, especially with children a young as 2 and 3, who are overwhelmingly impressionable.

I spent so much time reading this website, that I ended up focusing my entire blog post on it. To get back to the main point of the post, this site did give some very interesting examples of the use of IPads in schools, from the bus driver using it to take attendance of the bus, to alphabet apps, to blackboard presentations. This whole idea fascinates me, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about its applications in school, as well as the problems it poses.

Hope you enjoy it too!

I really enjoyed this movie/music video on 21st Century Teachers. The video brings up the issue facing schools today: technology. Should teachers adapt to the new technology and the changing lifestyles of their students? Or should they stand behind their old ways and teach with textbooks and wooden desks?

I believe that it's absolutely necessary for a teacher to always keep learning, as the song in the video says. Not only does a teacher need to refamiliarize him/herself with the material that is being taught, but a teacher needs to learn new ways to teach. Even if they are not as effective in your classroom, I still believe that more harm comes from NOT trying a new technique, technological tool, etc., than comes from trying it and learning that it is not best in your classroom.

Some of the things that were shown in the video blew me away. I didn't realize all of the things that you can do with an IPad or an Ipod. It's impressive, and only enforces the fact that technology is becoming a way of life. Children are becoming more and more dependent, even, and accustomed to new technology, and it's not fair to them to exclude the tools from their life in school. If it helps them learn better, and allows them to learn more about the technology that they will use and need outside of school, and in the workplace, then what is the harm? From personal experience, having had computer classes throughout elementary and middle school, I believe that I have an advantage over people who are less computer literate than I am, and am better able to learn and succeed in my classes, and workplace. So how were my computer classes a harm to my education?

Reflection On Technology in the Classroom

Before I began this class, I never realized the endless possibilities that technology in the classroom created. I understood that PowerPoint files and doc cams could be useful within a classroom, but I had yet to grasp the potential of sites, blogs, movies, and interactive websites.

I now think about this every day. I believe that technology could be a wonderful tool. It has become a way of life, even to young children. When they are at home, they are using the television, the computer, cell phones, and gaming devices. Children focus better on a computer screen today than they do on a textbook. A teacher is doomed to fail if he/she refuses to accept and adapt to this.

Though I'm still uneasy about the dangers of including cell phones into the classroom, because I have yet to decided on the best method to manage distractions, I am thoroughly excited about the other options. I have grown to love PortaPortal, not just for the opportunity to share educational and fun sites with my students and parents, but for my own personal use, so that links can be accessed from any computer. Another great tool I am excited about is the use of blogs and websites. I imagine creating a blog within a classroom, and allowing children to become more involved, invested, engaged, and responsible for their learning. The same can be said of a class wiki site, where students can post an article on what they are learning.

The possibilities are endless!!