10 Ways the iPad Can Change Schools

Posted on July 21, 2010 by mkaufman

I just came upon this list of 10 ways the iPad can change schools. I’m still not sure about the content creation aspects of the iPad but I’m definitely open to seeing improvements in that area.

June 21st, 2010

The iPad is still a novelty in the tech world and especially in education, where it’s being used experimentally as a content delivery and even as a content creation tool. If you’re an online college student, you’re already familiar with many digital tools and applications that help you connect to the greater academic community and your fellow online students, but the iPad may herald the future of the “tablet classroom,” even for elementary-aged students. Keep reading for 10 ways that the iPad will forever change education.

Students will have automatically updated information: If classrooms are able to supply every student with an iPad, then textbooks wouldn’t be needed again. Instead of waiting for the school district’s budget to increase so that they can get new textbooks, teachers will be able to facilitate up-to-the-minute information, research, multimedia, and news stories for each lesson, via the iPad, instead of using outdated printed books. E-textbooks are being developed for higher education now, and more sophisticated versions for all levels of students are expected to be released in the future.

It promotes active, engaging learning: Parentdish.com explains that other e-readers like the Amazon Kindle are static, but the iPad is interactive and cooperates with apps that integrate music, video and other media and experiences into reading and learning, which in the past have been traditionally passive in nature. With certain apps, Internet access and other tools, students can instantly apply their lessons to real-world problems, giving their learning experiences more depth while improving critical thinking and decision-making skills at an early age.

iPads may foster customized learning: Customized learning programs and hybrid education programs — in which some of the teaching is conducted online, even in secondary and primary schools — are gaining traction in some schools around the country, and the iPad is a logical asset to these experimental, progressive systems. Edutopia’s Bob Lenz believes that the potential exists for teacher-designed applications and programs that will offer students customized lesson plans and annotated e-textbooks. Students will also have the opportunity to create their own blogs, research and even e-books with the tools and access provided by the iPad.

Budget-friendly equals more access: The price of iPads haven’t yet leveled off, but they’re still more economical than the kind of laptops that have competitive web access and applications. Some analysts believe that schools would be more likely to purchase iPads than laptops for students, giving more students access to digital learning tools and new technology. Furthermore, if students can keep the same iPad for several years — or even trade it in for new updates every so often — it is far cheaper than purchasing a whole new set of textbooks for each child from kindergarten through 12th grade.

It offers a range of tools without multitasking options: This feature is considered a major plus for some iPad users and a huge downfall for other tech lovers. While other tools, including basic laptops, allow for multitasking applications and the ability to run more than one application at once, the iPad’s simplicity is actually ideal for classroom learning. Students can read all the content their teachers want them to access, but without the distractions. That means that kids can’t play games while pretending to follow along with the lesson, and teachers still have control over the classroom.

They bring mobility to education: We expect kids to lug home back-breaking loads of textbooks to do their homework, but wouldn’t it be easier for them if they only had to carry around an iPad? Besides being physically ightweight, the iPad’s mobility means that kids can work on homework and projects from anywhere, at any time. They’re constantly tuned into learning — every teacher’s dream.

Content delivery is being revolutionized: Students now have virtually unlimited opportunities for receiving educational content. Beyond static textbooks or even PowerPoint presentations, developers are experimenting with multimedia games, e-books, databases and other platforms for creating and delivering content for learning.

It encourages social interaction during learning: This feature is especially encouraging for distance learners who study independently. An article from the University of Texas’ Continuing and Innovative Education blog points out that “as ideas or questions occur to a student while reading an online textbook, he or she can immediately share them with other students through a class’s social networking group page.” Additionally, students have instant access to reference tools and multimedia support to help them understand what they’re reading, even if they’re away from their laptops.

iPads can boost productivity and organization: With apps from Blackboard and other education content organizers, iti will be easier for students to contact teachers, keep track of schedules and deadlines, and even find their assignments and task lists.

They open students up to a global learning community: iPads continue the tech trend of opening users up to the rest of the world. Even young students will be able to communicate with kids from around the world, learn from teachers at other schools, and collaborate on projects and participate in discussions within the greater, global academic community.

Here’s the blog post where I found this list.

iPad in Schools Discussion Groups

Posted on July 20, 2010 by mkaufman

I recently became aware of this online discussion that was started on the Apple Discussion boards.

It seems there is also a ning group started for educators using or exploring the use of the iPad in schools. From the discussion board:

There are two nings here addressing some of the questions you asked: one is part of a general ed tech discussion (http://isenet.ning.com/forum/topics/ipads-in-education) and one is more focused on the specifics of ipads (http://ipadeducators.ning.com/). Neither are terribly active (former has more going on than the latter) but you may find some answers on there, or at least get discussions going.

Here’s another discussion forum I discovered. It’s located in Australia – but the conversation is relavent no matter where you are:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1408212.html

Students Using the iPad

Posted on July 19, 2010 by mkaufman

How might students use the iPad? The following reflections come from a middle school teacher in a blog post he made (after giving his iPad to some students and getting their input/opinion). In his previous post he was commenting about how the iPad had changed his life and wondered:

So now I wonder, if this has really changed my game, how might it change the game for a student who is able to go through the school day with it? One-to-one initiatives are popping up all over (finally), and the iPad may be one solution for students. An iPad is a consumption device more than a creation device (we still need laptops or desktops), but the types of input and resources available make it a real possibility for student use. I’m going to try an experiment this week with a couple of students and let them take it to all their classes for a day. I’m really interested in how they think an iPad might (or might not) make their learning better. Hopefully I’ll convicne them to share there thoughts here next week. Stay tuned…

So here is what he came up with after hearing the feedback from the students he gave the iPad to.

1st period, Science: Collect microscope data using the ProScope Mobile

2nd period, ELA: Enter/edit literary responses in a discussion forum

3rd period, Music: Compose music and email the music and notation files with the app, Music Composer

4th period, Spanish: Record target language conversations with the app, Voice Memos for iPad, and email them to the teacher

5th peroid, Math: Practice solving equations in the app, Draw for iPad, and share them with classmates over Bluetooth

6th period, Social Studies: Review historical videos on YouTube or Discovery Education Streaming

7th period, Band: Put the iPad on the music stand and play music from the app, Scorcerer

8th period, Physical Education: Enter fitness data into a Google spreadsheet (AFTER keeping iPad in locker room and moving actively for 40 minutes in class…)

9th period, Art: Sketch designs using the app, Doodle Buddy, and post work to the class website

These are his first thoughts. His further reflection suggests that he’s sold on the value of the iPad versus a laptop. His final thoughts in this post were:

So that is just a glimpse of what could be. All in a device that just turns on (as opposed to boots up) and tucks in your arm like a book. There is a incredible amount of room for deepening the learning experience for students. I totally acknowledge the proprietary nature of the iPad and some inherent limitations, but I’m still sold.

So the question becomes, does the school try to provide the iPads, or come up with some unique solution where families purchase them and get to keep them?

Back when the iPad first came out another teachers wrote the following review about the iPad and its use in schools:

What’s GREAT about the iPAd in Education:

It’s on INSTANTLY! I can’t tell you how great that is to have what you need on NOW! Love it.

It’s FAST! Everything is so fluid and quick. (And BIG!) Better than any interaction with iPhone or iPod Touch.

Reading books is outstanding!

The battery life is incredible. You can you use it all day on a single charge.

You don’t have to SAVE anything. Yep, that’s right, just hit the Home Button and come back later. It’s still there. Love it!

There is nothing to learn. You just use it!

The iPad’s inability to multitask is a plus for students. They will learn to focus on the project at hand.

Keynote’s ability to place a simulated red laser pointer where you touch is a nice touch.

The sheer fact that it holds so much content and can do so much in such a small form. Amazing. Yes, even magical.

Amazing Apps! Download the Free and spectacular Dragon Dictation to speak text into your iPad. It is so easy and accurate.

You can teach with it! You can actually walk around teaching with the iPad in one arm while displaying notes, plans, grades, etc.

How can the iPad be Improved for Education?

The iPad can’t print. (Teachers need to print stuff.)

The iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter is horrible for education! Your choices for what you can project is far, far, far too limiting. You can’t share a webpage on the projector, or a book for that matter! (Full review coming soon.)

More Educational Apps! (Build them and teachers will buy them. Better yet, give teachers an easier SDK to create our own. Templates?)

Textbooks Available on the iBooks Store. (Give it time.)

Educators and students need a camera. Student recognition, projects, capturing data, and more. (You put one on the iPod Nano for crying out loud.)

iPad to iPad collaboration and interactivity.

The ability to work together with Interactive White Board (SmartBoards). Teachers love their SmartBoards.

Easier ways to transfer documents. It is difficult to get Pages Documents, Keynote Presentations, Photos, etc, onto and off of them iPad. Not all classrooms allow students to email.

As I find more teachers reviewing and exploring the use of the iPad in schools I will post them here. What’s your take on the primary uses of the iPad in schools?

Will the iPad Fail in Schools?

Posted on June 21, 2010 by mkaufman

I just read an article written for a business magazine, Network World, written by a Chief Information Officer, where he argues that the iPad may fail in schools because of what he calls ‘flaws’ in the design.

In the article it describes on high school in Michigan (again a private school) that would love to get ahold of 700 iPads (it’s an all boys school). The problem they have is that there is no remote monitoring of the iPad like there is for laptops so teachers wouldn’t be able to insure students are looking at what they want them to be looking at.

Here’s the dilemma this school faces. They want a device that can be used to run a whole lot of different applications and has good battery life – and they want to connect these devices to the teachers computer so they can be monitored. Laptops and netbooks fulfill the first criteria but not the second.

Here’s the situation in the words of the school:

The big idea is to have students conduct browser-based research, participate in discussions, take virtual field trips at institutions around the world, use app tools for math and science, write essays, take notes, and read e-books and PDF handouts.

and later,

“So far, we haven’t found the right solution,” Lawson says. “We flirted with netbooks, and at the time netbook batteries just weren’t there with a two or three hour battery life. When you have 700 boys going all day, you’ve got to have a 10-hour battery life. I don’t have 30 [power outlets] per classroom, and even if I did I’d probably blow fuses.”

Without the remote monitoring the school says,

For now, an iPad without this enterprise feature is a deal breaker. “We can’t put in something if we can’t do any monitoring,”

This whole topic builds upon the one we started yesterday – but it drives directly to the point I was attempting to make about methodology. Just giving young people a piece of technology or a device will do nothing more than distract them for some period of time unless it is tied in with something that is interesting and relevant to their lives.

The method of teaching and learning will have to be re-designed if we are really going to take advantage of the potential represented by a new technology like a computer – or like an iPad.

If the fundamental operating principle of schools continue to be control and compliance then the kind of tool like the iPad will not surely fail. If the fundamental operating principle of schools can change to be one focused on learning – real learning, not memorization and regurgitation – then there is a possibility that something like the iPad can do really well.

Here is the link directly to the article.

Students Get iPads

Posted on June 21, 2010 by mkaufman

I imagine this fall we should be seeing many students using iPads – and many because their school is providing them. This eventuality will come with controversy as there are still many school personnel that do not believe giving students a laptop – or an iPad – will improve learning.

If the teaching methods employed in schools do not change I would tend to agree with this. Just giving students a tool like an iPad will not solve any of the issues related to student engagement and student achievement. Sure there may be some short term novelty but that novelty will wear off – unless something uniquely different happens in the experience of the teacher and in the experience of the students.

For instance, in typical teaching environments where students have access to computers, schools have installed monitoring software to be sure students are following along and not doing other things. In these types of environments the iPad will present a similar challenge. In order to insure students are doing productive things on the device the way they are used in the learning experience will have to be compelling, interesting, and relevant to the learner. And, maybe the need to control everything the student does is part of the problem?

The other thing is what I mentioned in a previous post. The iPad is a consumption device and that creates a problem for schools – as many of the leading schools know they must transition to getting students to be producers and not just consumers.

In a recent ABC News article (June 16th) several schools have announced giving 6th graders (6th and 7th graders in one case) iPads in the fall when school semesters begin again. I imagine, and I hope, these schools would be on leading edge of understanding that just replacing text books and traditional tools with a digital version will likely add little value. The opportunity in these schools is to explore and discover new ways of teaching and learning.

No matter what, the tide has turned, and we will continue to see more and more students carrying iPads at school starting this fall!

From the ABC News article: Coming this fall every 6th grader at Sacramento Country Day School in California, a private school, will receive an iPad at no extra cost to parents. From the headmaster,

“There are hundreds and hundreds of educational apps for the iPad,” he said. “We found that there are so many [that] we felt there was a tremendous opportunity to bridge the gap between the traditional pen and paper and textbook and laptop.”

More from the article and the headmaster:

Students will use the sleek tablets to develop reports, conduct research, read e-books and study. For example, using a flash card application, they could study for tests. They could also hook up the iPad to a projector and easily share a multimedia presentation with the class, he said.

The article also says another school in Wisconsin plans on giving 6th and 7th graders iPads this fall and plans on having all students and teachers from 6th grade through 12th grade using iPads instead of text books by 2012.

The local Racine newspaper published an article both praising the school and warning that being on the leading edge could have some unseen costs – since no one has used iPads under school conditions to date there is little known about how they will hold up.

The ABC News Article: Apple’s iPad Joins the 6th Grade: A Novelty or the Next Big Idea? Schools Embrace iPad as a Teaching Tool, But Some Educators Say It’s Limited

iPad, iFad, iWait – the Journal Times Article