First, I’ll start with a disclaimer. I’m using the term iPad as a substitute for tablet. I know there are other tablets in use, but iPads still command the market and the word iPad has quickly become synonymous with tablet.
Not long ago, I sent an email asking how teachers were using iPads. My query asked for feedback about how iPads were being used to help prepare lessons and implement curricula in the classroom. Seven responded, representing all three divisions. I’d like to draw liberally from these responses to remind all of us that iPads represent a technology tool that may be of use to many teachers.
Jill Fedon owns an iPad and manages a small group of iPads that are used by lower school teachers. Jill mentioned several uses for her iPad. She can use her iPad as a mobile assessment tool as she walks around her classroom. She finds it handy for playing music or videos. It’s a tool to share an interactive story with students. The timer app is useful in a timed activity. She can record voice memos as a memory aid. Finally, she’s had students use an app version of a website to review and/or catch up when the website itself was down.
Another teacher who is both an iPad user and manager is Joanna Hayes. Joanna states “The best use of the iPads has been in using Safari to call up our digital textbook or various news outlets for current events.” The use of a digital textbook in class demands strong internet access, and the iPad is a useful tool.
Megan Summers is teaching AP Microeconomics this year. She’s found one app to be an invaluable learning tool. As Megan wrote, “Bloomberg Businessweek+ app is GREAT and has been awesome for my own prep in AP Micro, as well as the kids who subscribe to it and read it just for fun. It is $2.99 a month for the weekly iPad magazine, and it is beautifully constructed to integrate intuitively with the device.”
One of the responses to my email query came from Tony Bednarsky. He wrote that “many middle school students bring iPads to class for note taking and quick referencing.” I also know that Tony owns an iPad and uses it daily. Tony shares a classroom so in those periods when the room is used, Tony can take his iPad to a quiet space and access email, etc. The iPad’s mobility serves him well.
Anne Wilson is one of the lower school teachers taking advantage of the lending program. As she wrote, “I used the iPad the past 2 weeks in my classroom as a one-on-one to help those who need extra practice with math, reading sight words, spelling. I also used it to differentiate, using it to challenge students with math and reading skills. My Math App and Math Board are two good math apps; Bluster, Sight…Touch and Sight Words (spelling) are good reading apps. Shake the States is a favorite, as first graders love geography!
Finally, Jane Kunzman talked about iPads in art. She spoke about the middle school student who has been bringing his iPad to class to display his art journal homework to the class. As reported by Jane, clearly this student got a kick out of his own presentation. Jane is hopeful to see more artwork sharing using iPads. The device’s mobility and clarity make it well-suited to this purpose.
I’ve found my iPad handy in two very specific ways. I’m constantly updating our department’s inventory, and the iPad is a perfect device for this purpose. With a spreadsheet displayed, I can walk from building to building to update information with little effort. It is the iPad’s mobility and functionality that make it the right tool for this job. Also, I’ve found more and more that if there’s a document I’d like to read, I can save it as a .pdf and read it when I have a spare minute. It’s a capable portable reader that integrates seamlessly with my email accounts and with the web. And like Anne’s first grader, I too enjoy Shake the States.
Personally, I’m not yet convinced that a comprehensive “iPad in the Classroom” program would be the best use of our technological resources. These resources include money to buy and manage the devices, time to review available apps and commitment to learn how to use iPads effectively as a teaching tool. And whichever your chosen tablet, there always seems to be a combination of strengths and drawbacks. So next posting, I’ll continue to draw comments from our colleagues to examine how and why iPads may not yet ready for wholesale adoption.
To conclude, I offer this link to the single site I've found to offer the richest content for "all things iPad." iPads in Schools
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