Ipads for Teaching and Learning
Ipads in the Classroom
13 Reasons for Using Technology in the Classroom
http://www.teachhub.com/13-reasons-using-technology-classroom
This article focuses directly on 13 main reasons teachers are encouraged to incorporate technology in their classrooms. As I have learned and researched, the points discussed are key in creating great thinkers, researchers, and facilitators of learning.
The points are:
1. Technology allows students to demonstrate independence.
2. Technology enables students to build strong content knowledge wherever they find it.
3. Technology responds to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose, discipline.
4. Technology values evidence.
5. Technology understands other perspectives.
6. Technology differentiates for needs of students.
7. Technology deepens learning by using resources students are interested in.
8. Common Core - active learners and thinkers
9. Students want to use technology.
10. Technology is its own assessment tool.
11. Learning with technology is connected.
12. Technology gives students an equal voice.
13. Consider a video.
In correspondence to the article referenced above, here's a video of the top 10 reasons technology should be used in education. Can you identify differences and similarities? Take a look...
Integrating Technology with Every Subject Area
17 Pros and Cons (Advantages and Disadvantages) of iPads in the Classroom
As in this article, everyone has their reasoning for why technology should or should not be an integral part of education. As I am very supportive of this positive change, I find joy in the idea that iPads enhance learning to accommodate various learning styles and preferences. Take a look at some of the pros and cons presented in this article:
http://www.teacherswithapps.com/17-pros-and-cons-of-using-ipads-in-the-classroom/
Textbooks or Electronic Devices in Schools?
What about digital textbooks? With a digital future underway, are textbooks becoming history? In some cases, I love to have a book, of some sort, in my hands. In others, I would love to have it downloaded to my iPad. Books I read for leisure are the types of books I would love to have an actual hardcopy of. Textbooks are beneficial online because they are large in size and contain so much information. I believe textbooks are merely resources or references for learning. This news article discusses benefits and possible disadvantages of digital textbooks: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/education/09textbook.html?_r=0.
What is the cost savings between the device, books, paper, etc.?
As I think of the expenses of books and paper versus iPads, the costs would vary for different entities. Many articles break down the projected costs of textbooks and iPads over a 4 and 5 year period. Statistics have shown why some people think iPads are not cost friendly for every student. Depending on the economic status of the families of students, some researchers argue that iPads will bridge the gap between the rich and poor while other researchers believe some students will be at a disadvantage if they do not have internet access at home. Here are some articles that display these differences:
http://churchm.ag/ipads-vs-textbooks-which-is-more-cost-effective-infographic/
http://www.novadesk.com/blog/bid/57268/Tablets-in-Schools-Saving-Money-and-Trees
http://mashable.com/2012/10/05/tablets-vs-textbooks/#j7Nq88lrMmqs
Learning and Creating with iPads
Why does it engage children?
With iPads, teachers are motivated to inspire, engage, and mentor students and their learning ability. This article supports that idea but stating that iPads improve student engagement, “iPad buddies” collaborate more, and iPads boost perseverance. Students are engaged because they have an opportunity to facilitate their own learning, discuss their learning, thinking, and ideas with their peers, and provide reasoning for their ideas based on their findings. Read more at http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/iPads-in-the-Classroom-Get-Students-Engaged
Reading? Word Processing? Presentations?
As students and teachers utilize iPads for learning and instruction, there are many different apps available for reading, word processing, and presentations.
Provided the link http://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/literacy/20-ipad-apps-to-teach-elementary-reading/, some apps that are specifically to enhance reading are ABC PocketPhonics, Booksy, Letter Lab, Reading Raven, and K-3 Sight Words. These apps all focus on beginning aspects of reading as they are beneficial to reading fluency and comprehension.
Some word processing apps are listed on this website: http://www.bestappslists.com/2014/02/best-word-processing-apps-for-ipad-iphone.html
These apps are applicable for iPads and iPhones.
Some of the best presentation apps for teachers and students are Haiki Deck, Educreations, Prezi, Keynote, and Doceri. These apps allow users to take photos, record videos, create slide shows, and so much more. Here's access to these apps:
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/11/the-best-ipad-presentation-apps-for.html