iPads In The Classroom

Do you remember 10 years ago when the only thing someone could take notes on were a piece of paper with a writing utensil? Well this generation is a little different. A lot of schools are now getting in the habit of using iPads. Apple created this device to not only change the lives of ordinary people, but the class room as well. Apple has provided apps like:

• iBooks to provide class textbooks 
• iTunes U to help teachers out with lessons and creating their own courses
• Comic Life to help children create their own presentations 
• Hairy Letters to help children understand words, letters, shapes and sizes

Aside from these apps, there are thousands of apps for whatever grade level and subject a teacher would want to teach. Now instead of asking a question to the teacher and them not knowing the answer, children can just find out the answer in an app instead. Also, instead of the teacher telling their students to bring all their textbooks to class every day, they only have to bring their iPads instead. Now they can go over things in the classroom that they read for homework and be able to go over it more easily. They get to interact with animations, play games to reinforce learning and learn to form each shape with just a simple touch.

The Journal says that iPads are being used in the classroom more often then not, so authors of textbooks are specifically designing their books for the iPad. Some of the most interesting applications are the ones that allow for:

• Student creativity
• Critical thinking
• Students doing things on their own

According to The Journal, an instructional technology coordinator of Arlington Public schools said that the iPad is emerging as a tool that can greatly enhance educational technology.

One elementary school that has been experimenting with iPads in the class room is Grant Elementary School. All their third grade classroom's are being exposed to this advanced technology so they can learn in a more dynamic and relevant way to advance learning. 

There are so many app's that you can get for each type of student. Some types include:

• Elementary Level
• Middle School Level
• High School Level
• College Level
• Science Apps
• Math Apps

The most useful apps are the ones that the children can use. There are apps to help kids learn math that can quiz them about each topic they are learning about. There are apps to help kids learn science that go over each chapter they are talking about in class. The amount of Resources are never ending.  

The good thing about giving the students the iPads is that it takes minimal training to learn how to start using them. A teacher can just give it to them and they will start playing around with it and will go to any app they want and just learn how to use it on their own. Some apps will probably need teacher assistance but most of them the students just do by themselves. Some Teacher's like Jennifer Kohn, use the iPad when its meaningful to enrich, extend, or introduce what students are learning in the classroom. Her class has used their iPads to interact with storybooks, brainstorm ideas for creative writing, and to learn mathematics.
Overall, the iPad has helped classrooms a lot and the usage of them in classrooms is growing rapidly. So, it is time to say Goodbye Textbooks, Hello iPad.

References

Jamestown Elementary School (2010) Portrait of iPad in Classroom (Photograph) Retrieved September 5, 2012 from 
http://jamestownelementary.blogspot.com/2010/11/jamestown-ipad-integration-project.html
Tchekmedyian, A. (2012) Kindergarden Students using iPad in the Classroom (Photograph) Retrieved September 5, 2012 from
http://www.easyreadernews.com/46222/manhattan-beach-unified-ipad-pilot/