Social+Collaboration+-+IPads

“The device that changed everything is now in the classroom.” Apple’s iPad has become the new way for technological social collaboration in the classroom. iPads are basically tablets that use multi-touch technology to provide a platform for understanding audio-visual media. They only weigh about 1.5lbs and are smaller than the average size of a piece of paper with dimensions of 9.56”×7.47”×0.528” making them an easy resource to carry around. iPads use the same system software that is installed in Apple’s iPods and iPhones, the iOS. When it was first released in 2010, over 300,000 iPads were sold. Since the first model, Apple has introduced the second and third generations leading to over 67.1 million being sold after the year 2011.

The primary interest revolving around iPads is their uses in the educational world. The iPad is a revolutionary device because it can provide so much information to the fingertips of our students. The first reason why iPads are selling so well in schools is because of eBooks. Schools believe that it is cheaper if they can purchase iPads for their students with class materials already downloaded at about half the cost of paper textbooks. eBooks are cool to use because they have interactive images and diagrams that the students can zoom in on and play with to really dive into the material they are reading. As they are reading they can highlight and take notes using their iPad too making it easy to go back to the readings and see what was the most important information to get out of a chapter. [|Apple in Education] In addition to eBooks, Apple has created applications (apps) that can be downloaded (usually for free) onto the iPads that allow students to learn a variety of new materials. They have free math games, language dictionaries, and google apps that would all lead to facilitating learning. They even have an app called “iBooks” that allows students to write and create their own book. There have been a number of studies done that show that students learn the best through play. iPads allow that idea of using challenge and games to explore what they’re learning. Also, iPads are connected to all of the other cool apps that Apple has created like Garageband and iMovie that all will be helpful for students to learn through more than just reading. When students really can get involved with the material they are learning and their peers that are learning the same things, they come away understanding so much more. [|Video: iPads in Ed]

[-Corinne Hastings]

I believe that the IPad will be the number one technological device that will be incorporated into the classroom. The IPad is appealing to all ages and has been shown to be advantageous from the select few classrooms that has been lucky enough to incorporate advanced technology into their classrooms. The IPad helps younger students with their reading and writing skills while still having the capacity to detail the most elaborate science and mathematical concepts and equations. Moreover, the IPad can be utilized as a significant resource for supplementary texts and can be used as a collaborative tool to help bring student's thoughts together.

You can view a video about how the IPad has been used in the learning experience by going to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24R1QJAXL4s

Below is an example of how I have incorporated the IPad into my teaching. I devoted a whole section of my IPad that shows different applications that can be utilized for science education.

-The above information has been written by Jordan Goffena.

The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, movies, music, games, apps, web content, and more. Its size and weight fall between those of smartphones and laptops. I believe that iPads are the future of education and will one day take the place of textbooks, homework, and even tests. The iPad below could be used as a resource to look up current events in a Social Studies class.



(Michelle Nugent)