In 2014 my year level (three Year 6 classes) will embark on a 1:1 iPad program.
Many of my blog posts in 2014 will be based on my research and iPad practices in the classroom.
Here is my reflection and initial justifications for “Why iPads?”
Why Technology? Why the iPad?
It was early in my teaching career that I realised the value and importance of using technology in teaching and learning.
Early in my career, my classes were limited to a few desktop computers and we would allocate time for students to use the technology available. We would also book cameras, video recorders, tripods and so on to assist us with recording our learning and creating pieces of work.
Then we were sourced with a class set of laptops, which we could borrow and use for certain lessons. This was a game changer back then, as the laptops were portable, there was 1:1 accessibility, they had cameras in them and video recording programs and we had the opportunity to cater for individualised learning.
Collaboration across the class when creating projects with technology becomes easier and we also have the world at our fingertips. Technology is simply a tool, which allows access to greater resources, whether those resources are the Internet, students and teachers across the world or sharing amongst peers. Technology allows opportunities to learn from others and share our learning in an instant way, something that we couldn’t have achieved at this standard before.
We hear the term “21st century teaching and learning” frequently, and as an educator I question what this really means and what that looks like in the modern classroom. The iPad has been described as a revolutionary tool in education for quite some time, but why? What are the main differences between an iPad and a laptop for example? Firstly, we cannot deny the iPad’s portability and mobility. The idea of anytime and anywhere access to information is a game changer, this device can be used throughout the school day and easily transported home to be used as a continuation of learning and creating at home. Why should learning be limited to just the classroom?
We use personal devices, like phones, ipads or laptops, to assist us with day-to-day organization and workload. Shouldn’t we be preparing our children for a world where technology assists managing life’s tasks? The iPad is sensory, intuitive and relatable to our students today. It’s a tool that allows for student creativity, collaboration and problem solving. A tool, which assists in, individualized education, meeting the needs of the individual.
I found this image on Twitter about iPad workflow and thought it would be a useful resource for myself.
http://www.edudemic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ipadflow.jpg
Further useful links and resources can be found on my Twitter feed @JadeHill82 https://twitter.com/JadeHill82 and
Pinterest Page: http://www.pinterest.com/mrsjadehill/
Here are a few of my favourites:
http://www.scoop.it/t/ipads-in-the-classroom-getting-started
http://www.pinterest.com/techchef4u/ipad-lessons/
http://www.emergingedtech.com/2013/07/teaching-and-learning-with-the-ipad-a-3-year-review-part-3/