Assignment+1

Assignment #1 - Articles & Websites

Required Articles ﻿Article #1: "How will the iPad change education?" The face of education is constantly changing. What seems new and on the cutting edge one school year, can be deemed obsolete the next. There seems to be one tool though, that I think will stand the test of time. A device that will take students' learning above and beyond what we have ever imagined. That device: the iPad. As this article discusses, textbooks will soon become a thing of the past. Districts can pay a rental or subscription fee rather than purchasing a textbook where the information printed becomes quickly outdated. Today's students are learning in the digital age. There seems to be less of a need for paper and pencils, and more of a need for digital devices and skills. As the article highlighted, a device like the iPad, has so many advantages for learners. Not only is it functional, mobile, and economical, but it also allows students to truly take their learning into the 21st century. The article's definite purpose is to promote the use of the iPad in today's classroom because of the many benefits it provides. Reynolds, R. (2010, Jan. 27). How will the iPad change education. PBS Education, TeacherLine Blog post. Retrieved from  []

Article #2: "Measuring the iPad's Potential for Education" This article discusses the excitement that ensued as Apple released the iPad. As the article eludes to, there is no doubt that people of all ages continue to see the iPad as a device that will truly connect students, teachers, and curriculum. Today's students live in a world where everything is at their finger tips. The iPad only further allows students the opportunity to explore the world in a truly hands-on way. A big key to the effectiveness and implementation of the iPad in today's classroom is the educators who will use them. It is not enough for educators to simply wonder "what-if" my students had these devices. Teachers need to push for devices like the iPad to be purchased and then use them to meet the needs of the learners in their classroom. The article emphasized the fact that iPads allow teachers to differentiate as needed and most importantly they get students excited and engaged in their learning. McCrea, B. (2010, Jan. 27). Measuring the iPad's potential for education. The Journal. Retrieved from  []

Articles of my choice Article #3: "How schools are putting the iPad to work" It is amazing to read the different ways schools across the country are implementing the use of iPads in their classrooms. This article highlights schools ranging from elementary to college, and discusses how they are using iPads. Cedar Schools of Excellence in Glasgow, Scotland gave iPads to all 105 of its students in grades K-12. They were excited to reduce the amount of paper students use, allow their students to use e-books, and have students submit their work online. At George Fox University in Oregon, incoming college freshman have always received a laptop computer. This past year they offered iPads and 10 percent of the students opted for one. The school sees this as promising for the future. Not only is an iPad much more cost effective than a laptop but it is also a new and innovative way to engage learners. As with all new technology, skeptics exist and the article presented that angle as well. Dr. Robert Paterson of Molloy College in New York truly wonders if these devices will end up sitting in drawers some day with people not using them. In my opinion, I don't think that will happen. I believe the iPad offers so much to learners of all ages. The world is truly at your fingertips with a device like this. Mathis, J. (2010, Aug. 26). How schools are putting the iPad to work. MacWorld.com. Retrieved from [] Article #4: "IPads Invade the Computer Lab" When we think of a typical computer lab, we think of desks or tables with fixed desktop computers. The students sit at a specific computer and complete their work with little interaction from those around them. This typical computer lab, is slowly becoming a thing of the past. In this article, Hawaii Preparatory Academy is highlighted as a school who is moving away from fixed computers, and incorporating Apple's iPad devices allowing students to have a much more mobile learning environment. The days of signing out the computer lab for a classroom of students will soon be gone if more districts implement mobile devices like the iPad. It seems to me that the goal of education these days is to get away from your traditional classroom model. In these settings you see students sitting in desks in straight rows, little movement is done by the students, they are expected to sit still, pay attention and do their own work. Today's classrooms are evolving into something quite different. Students are free to move around, collaborate with their peers and engage with the world around them. Devices like the iPad allow this to happen. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">McCrea, B. (2011, Mar. 9). IPads Invade the Computer Lab. The Journal. Retrieved from [] <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Article #5: "Finger paints, picture books and iPads - the newest classroom tools for some preschools and kindergartens" <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Some people may argue that preschool and kindergarten students are too young to use such advanced items like an iPad. This article proves that thinking wrong. In the Chicago-area, kindergarten and preschool classrooms are integrating the use of the iPad. At first the device was looked at as a nice toy for the students to use. Administrators and teachers alike had no idea what kind of impact the device would have on the students' education. Only time will tell as more and more students continue to use the iPad and more districts continue to adopt this technology. The article did point out that young students still need paper, pencils, real books, and finger paints, but the iPad is another tool students can use, even at a young age. As a teacher who experimented with using iPads in her classroom with young students this year, I wholeheartedly agree that young learners are ready for the technology driven classroom - more ready than many educators. <span style="color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Malone, T. (2011, May 10). Finger paints, picture books and iPads - the newest classroom tools for some preschools and kindergartens. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from []

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Article #6: "Five ways readers are using iPads in the classroom" <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">I have often wondered how I can effectively use the iPad in my classroom both for my students and myself. Devices like the iPad are supposed to make life easier and help put the world at our fingertips. This article highlights five ways that schools across the country are using iPads and in my opinion, using it quite effectively. First, the iPad is being used for intervention. Students use the device to practice things like math facts and sight words. Second, the iPad is being used for enrichment. Students who might need a challenge are using apps that aim to strengthen higher level thinking skills. Teachers are also using apps to keep track of student data, make seating charts, and organize work groups. Third, schools are using the iPad for assistive technology. The article highlights a student with autism who came to life through the use of the iPad. Fourth, the iPad is being used for digital literacy. We know that textbooks are becoming a thing of the past. Districts are excited to reduce costs for paper and hardcover textbooks. Finally, iPads are being used for organizing resources and for reading. One teacher is highlighted in the article and he discusses how he has set up different folders on his iPad for different classes and assignments. He also states that many students use the iPad to simply read. It might be an e-book, magazine, or newspaper, but the students have access to all of them and often will chose to read during free time. This article gave me some great ideas for how to use the iPad in the classroom. It also mentioned a few apps I will definitely look into using. <span style="color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">eSchool News Staff (2011, May 27). Five ways readers are using iPads in the classroom. eSchool News. Retrieved from [] <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Article #7: "iPad No Longer Optional" <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">It would be a dream for many schools to have every child walk through the door with an iPad. One such school will live that dream this coming fall. A private K-12 school in Knoxville, Tennessee will require all students in fourth grade and higher to have an iPad for the coming school year. Administrators at the school have wanted to implement at 1:1 program for many years, but there were always concerns holding them back. The concerns ranged from the cost of laptops to teachers not being ready. Once Apple released its iPad, the 1:1 dream was rekindled and the school district look at ways to get it into the hands of every student. Students in this district are required to bring their own iPad to school. Those who need assistance paying for the device, have leasing options. The school district states that the iPads will be used for classroom research, e-books, and interactive lessons, just to name a few. It sure seems like this district is right on track with delivering 21st century instruction. They are certainly living the "dream" as well with implementing a 1:1 program. <span style="color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">McCrea, B. (2011, Feb. 23). iPad No Longer Optional. The Journal. Retrieved from <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"> []