I read an article I found through the ISTE website called "First Graders with iPads?" by Sara Getting and Karin Swainey. This article is about an iPad test being done on a classroom of first graders. The authors are two teachers who decided to test out iPads as a new way of learning in their first grade classrooms. These iPads were brought into the classroom hoping to see learning improvements in the children. The iPads were used at a particular elementary school in Minnesota that had low reading levels. After using these iPads with the first graders they saw significant reading improvements.
I feel this article is very significant because using iPads in an elementary school classroom is something that has only happened in very recent time. In the past we did not have this kind of technology tool to test out at schools. It is amazing all of the educational apps that can be downloaded for free that will help children learn. I enjoyed this article because I learned about all the benefits of using iPads in schools, and I also learned of some of the frustrations that come with it. Using iPads in schools can be a major distraction to some children who might see it as a toy. Also when the sound is on an iPad it will cause a major disruption in learning a lesson. I would like to know more about using iPads in classrooms from the points of view of the children in the first grade class. I would have liked the article better if it had direct quotes from the children and what their opinions are about having an iPad in class.
Getting, S., & Swainey, K. (2012). First graders with ipads?. LEarning & Leading with Technology, 24-27. doi: ISTE
I heard about a school that laid off a bunch of teachers at the end of the school year and when everyone went back after summer all the rooms were filled with new TVs and iPads. I love the idea of having ipads for the students. I draw the line though when teachers are getting fired and technology is taking their place. Hopefully there can be a happy medium.
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