Before I accepted the tech position this year, I probably would have said I think iPads in schools are a bad idea. Of course now I would love to have some!!!
Many of the reasons behind my original concern still resonate though. First, they are pretty expensive, and I think it would be better to wait for prices to go down (or pick a different tablet). They are also still so new, so if I needed help it may be hard to obtain it. I also would worry about putting delicate iPads in the hands of certain students (mostly younger).
I can't help but want iPads for my students though. I know there are a lot of apps, and there will be plenty more, that could be used with students. This is especially true for some special needs students.
I should mention that I asked my principal about iPads, and somewhere along the chain of command the idea was shot down.
To answer the question posted though, I think that it is too early to tell if the iPad is a fad. I would guess not, due to the popularity of the iPhone and iPod. Still, I feel it is something that can change education, but I would like to open that up to include all tablets since I think as more become available/affordable, school systems may look into their potential. It would be great to see iPads replace those clunky textbooks. I'm sure the number of chiropractors would decrease though.
Elliot Soloway is a leading proponent of technology in schools. I don't remember if he was quoted in this article or another, but his view matches yours that iPads are too expensive. He thinks that kids can get just as much out of smaller devices (possibly iPod Touch) at half the price (or less).
Oh, how I would love it if all our students had iPads! I think the saying, "there's an app for that," really sums up the idea of an iPad. Not only would students have access to all their textbooks at all times, they would also be able to find the information that they seek. When we discuss the temperature of the Earth's core in degrees Celcius and they want to know how much that is in Fahrenheit... they can simply use a conversion application. When we look at probability and need to do a lab that requires a set of dice... we can use a the die rolling app.
There is a very large expense for the iPads, but I also think about how much we spend on books every few years! One science textbook is about $85 new. Multiply that by the 6 or 7 textbooks students need and you are well on your way to the cost. Not to mention that there would no longer be a need for a mobile lab or big computer labs.
I hope I am still teaching when students carry around a piece of technology (like the iPad) that allows them to access all their work and the tools and resources they need are at their fingertips! I just hope the dog doesn't eat their homework!
Before I accepted the tech position this year, I probably would have said I think iPads in schools are a bad idea. Of course now I would love to have some!!!
ReplyDeleteMany of the reasons behind my original concern still resonate though. First, they are pretty expensive, and I think it would be better to wait for prices to go down (or pick a different tablet). They are also still so new, so if I needed help it may be hard to obtain it. I also would worry about putting delicate iPads in the hands of certain students (mostly younger).
I can't help but want iPads for my students though. I know there are a lot of apps, and there will be plenty more, that could be used with students. This is especially true for some special needs students.
I should mention that I asked my principal about iPads, and somewhere along the chain of command the idea was shot down.
To answer the question posted though, I think that it is too early to tell if the iPad is a fad. I would guess not, due to the popularity of the iPhone and iPod. Still, I feel it is something that can change education, but I would like to open that up to include all tablets since I think as more become available/affordable, school systems may look into their potential. It would be great to see iPads replace those clunky textbooks. I'm sure the number of chiropractors would decrease though.
Elliot Soloway is a leading proponent of technology in schools. I don't remember if he was quoted in this article or another, but his view matches yours that iPads are too expensive. He thinks that kids can get just as much out of smaller devices (possibly iPod Touch) at half the price (or less).
ReplyDeleteOh, how I would love it if all our students had iPads! I think the saying, "there's an app for that," really sums up the idea of an iPad. Not only would students have access to all their textbooks at all times, they would also be able to find the information that they seek. When we discuss the temperature of the Earth's core in degrees Celcius and they want to know how much that is in Fahrenheit... they can simply use a conversion application. When we look at probability and need to do a lab that requires a set of dice... we can use a the die rolling app.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very large expense for the iPads, but I also think about how much we spend on books every few years! One science textbook is about $85 new. Multiply that by the 6 or 7 textbooks students need and you are well on your way to the cost. Not to mention that there would no longer be a need for a mobile lab or big computer labs.
I hope I am still teaching when students carry around a piece of technology (like the iPad) that allows them to access all their work and the tools and resources they need are at their fingertips! I just hope the dog doesn't eat their homework!