Assignment1

Assignment 1

__ iPods, iPads gaining traction in Utah classrooms __ By Lisa Schencker, The Salt Lake Tribune May 10, 2011 12:22 PM

In this article Lisa Schencker pits the opinions of those who favor iPads in classrooms against the opinions of those who claim they are distracting and an overhyped waste of educational dollars. Lisa points out that whether you like them or hate them, their popularity as an educational tool is growing. One of the teachers interviewed in the article expressed her fondness for the way iPads allow her to gain instant feedback on student learning. I, too, would enjoy the formative assessment capabilities that an iPad would afford me in my classroom. Another source in the article pointed out that the bells and whistles that iPads bring to the classroom are great, but only of value if the teacher knows how use the tool. (Hmmm, maybe I should take a class…oh yeah, I am! ;-) The article also pointed out that generally speaking, today’s kids enjoy learning through technology, and all of us need to reach our students at their level. I think this is especially true in our area and in our classrooms in which our children have easy and frequent access to technology in their homes. One very interesting application of the iPad in the classroom was a teacher who would “clone” himself with the iPad by using it to tape himself instructing prior to class, then play it for the students during class time while he moved throughout the class helping individuals and performing other teaching chores. I would love to give this a try. (My favorite part of the article was in the “comments” section at the end when “poster47” ripped the iPad and the people who used them. He basically said that they are a distraction that teaches bad writing habits. In a reply, “Canadian-girl” pointed out to him that in his post he made two grammatical errors; switching tense in mid-sentence and ending with a run-on sentence. (**“** ** Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” Matt. 7:5)809 **

Schencker, Lisa. "IPods, IPads Gaining Traction in Utah Classrooms." //The Salt Lake Tribune // 10 May 2011: n. pag. Print.

__ Elementary iPads __

By Bridget McCrea

the Journal, May 4, 2011

In this article, Bridget McCrea discusses the success that Stonewall Elementary school in Lexington, Kentucky has experienced using iPads in the second and fifth grades. The iPads were introduced to the school through a teacher driven initiative. After reviewing the teacher proposals, the principal secured iPads for two second and two third grade classrooms. He didn’t want to spend the money getting iPads for teachers who were not enthusiastic about using them, which, again, underscores the fact that the iPads are a tool that can only be as effective as the teacher can or will allow. The article points out that extra time is needed on the part of the teachers to research appropriate applications for their classrooms, but the time invested has been worthwhile. The teachers at Stonewall have formed an informal professional community wherein both ideas and equipment are shared. I believe that this will be an important part of First Immanuel’s technology in education initiative as well. We need to include ideas, plans, and uses of our iPad and laptop instruction in each of our monthly small group meetings in order to make the best use of the technology for the greatest benefit to our students.

McCrea, Bridget. "Elementary IPads." //The Journal // 04 May 2011: n. pag. Web.

__ The school that gives every student an iPad __

by Craig Grannell

techradar.computing, December 30, 2010

This article begins by telling us of a dilemma faced by Cedars School of Excellence in Green nock, Scotland. An increasing number of instructors wanted to get their students online, but the school had a limited number of iMacs and MacBooks that were available. Their solution was to invest in the less expensive iPad. The teachers experienced with the iPad claimed that the device was useful in a variety of ways, such as being a textbook, an instrument, and a set of tools. Even those teachers who were reluctant to use technology soon began carrying them to and from school, and everyone found ways to use the iPads to enhance their instruction. The iPad was praised as an ever-changing device, capable of adapting to classroom needs and instructional requirements as time goes on; superior to other tablets and computers in size and design. The article certainly made many good points, especially about the adaptability of the iPad. In the past, so much of the world of technology quickly became outdated, but the iPad seems to possess the ablility to keep changing as our classroom needs or techniques change.

Grannell, Craig. "The School That Gives Every Student an IPad." //Techradar.computing //. N.p., 30 Dec. 2010. Web. 27 June 2012.

__ New Study Finds iPads in the Classroom Boost Test Scores __

By Courtney Subramanian, TIME Techland

February 22, 2012

techland.time.com/2012/02/22/new-study-finds-ipads-in-the-classroom-boost-test-scores/

A recent study shows that students who use iPads in their classrooms tend to score higher on literacy tests than do students who study without iPads. The same study showed that students who used iPads were more enthused about learning than others. Results like these have prompted many departments of education around the nation (New York City schools, Virginia Department of Education, and Chicago public schools are some examples) to begin implementing iPad programs in their own schools. Increasing literacy scores is a primary goal of First Immanuel, and involves all of our teachers. If iPads and lap tops can help us achieve that goal, we will willingly move in that direction.

However, Larry Cuban who is a professor emeritus of education at Stanford claims that there is very little evidence that students are learning more, faster, or better using iPads, and is concerned that children are growing too dependent on the devices. He says that iPads do engage students, but he is concerned about what will happen to them when the novelty wears off.

The article also pointed out that iPads can save schools money by eliminating textbook costs. One administrator claims that two classrooms using iPads will save his school about $7,200 per year. In several areas, First Immanuel has been moving away from its dependence on textbooks (although not wholly eliminating them), so continuing to move in this direction by incorporating new technology would not be an overwhelming idea for teachers or parents.

Subramanian, Courtney. "New Study Finds IPads in the Classroom Boost Test Scores." //TIME Techland //. N.p., 22 Feb. 2012. Web. 28 June 2012. 

__ iPads in the Classroom are Changing the Face of Education __

by Florence Ion, Mac Life

April 18, 2012,

[|www.maclife.com/article/feature/ipads_classroom_are_changing_face_education]

Florence begins this article by pointing out that many people view technology as outdated Windows computers collecting dust, and animated flash card type programs that quickly become boring. She then favorably compares iPad technology to the older versions, stating that the iPad is the chameleon of technology, adaptable to students at all age levels.

A study in Maine kindergarten classes showed that children who were in classrooms that used iPads scored higher in areas of letter and number recognition, story sense, counting rhythm, and even socialization.

A high school in Maine has given each teacher and student 16GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi, with copies of iWork and iMovie on them. Students take the iPads home with them, and are free to download apps which suit them, although they must sign an acceptable use contract, and the iPads are inspected by the administration from time to time. (This seems like a great policy to have in place, and I can see how our school could make use of a similar policy for our own students who may be moving iPads or laptops between home and school.) 83 percent of the students surveyed said that as a result of being given an iPad they feel more interested in school, and 86 percent said that iPads made it easier to gather information. Teachers at the high school also praise the iPad for making their assessments more accurate and beneficial through the use of such apps as eClicker. However, there is still some concern on the part of the teachers about finding sufficient time and knowledge to completely incorporate the iPads into the classrooms. This echoes my own concerns for the introduction of iPads and laptops in our classrooms. Where will we find the time to develop these resources, especially when prep time is diminishing and instructional time is increasing.

On, Florence. "IPads in the Classroom Are Changing the Face of Education." //Mac Life //. N.p., 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 28 June 2012. <www.maclife.com/article/feature/ipads_classroom_are_changing_face_education>.