The author explores how education (inside and outside of the classroom) will be changed with the use of a tablet, versus the traditional methods (i.e. textbooks) used today. The benefits are endless. Those who produce the information will now be able to instantly update their products and still make a profit. The teachers and students will benefit by receiving this updated material. Even the environment will benefit from less trees being cut down to make these hard copied pieces of data.
In the long run, the use of these tablets will make those using them more productive citizens, make the educational process more cost efficient, personal, and mobile. It will also make the learning method a community based operation by connecting people through the use of these tablets.
Answers to questions at one’s fingertips? That is one of the many benefits to using an iPad in the classroom. This new device is in its infancy, but the author of this article believes that the potential for this device as an educational tool are numerous, especially with the use of the Internet. However, there are drawbacks for this technological tablet. The largest obstacle being affordability at this time. Over time, the price of iPad should drop, making future classroom instruction an exciting and interactive process.
Right here in the Fox Valley? That’s right! The Menasha School District is making the textbook obsolete. Starting next year, the Menasha school district will begin phasing in the use of iPads and other notebook devices for their students to use in and out of the classroom. The Superintendent said that they have been looking at this changeover, and will be able to pay for it through monies voted on by the Menasha community starting back in 2001. These tech devices will most likely be leased by the district and insured for damaged, or lost items.
Finally, this change over will not only dramatically change the classroom, it may also change the traditional yearly schedule that has been used by the Menasha school district. This and training for teachers will have to be worked out through the teachers’ union.
The Cloverport School District, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, recently gave all of their certified teachers an iPad to use within their classrooms. Needless to say, the teachers were very excited about receiving these tablets. This is the first step in allowing both the staff and the students to gain information with the use of this ever changing technology. Grant money was used to purchase the iPads for the staff, and to train them on how to use them. It is the goal of the district to purchase classroom sets of iPads with future grant money. Until then, teachers are encouraged to let the kids use their iPads when possible.
In this article written by Mr. Prensky, he looks at the endless possibilities that a device like the iPad, or any similar device will have in the classroom. He also explores other conditions that will arise from one-to-one use (by the students) of such devices. In particular, are school districts going to be able to pay for these tech tablets? How will these devices be protected? Then if a desirable protective case is found, how will they be individualized by the student using them?
What the author is trying to say in this article is that a simple thing like a protective case may hinder, or even prevent districts from allowing their students to use the iPad as an educational tool. Maybe an iPod Touch would be a better alternative because they can be carried in one’s own pocket.
Children in the first and second grades at Bruley Elementary School, of the Chicago Public School District (CPS), are one of twenty-three schools in the district to have been given iPads to as a pilot within the classroom. They will use such apps as: Question Builder (to help them answer abstract answers) and iWriteWords (to teach hand writing).
These iPads and were paid for through a mini-grant that CPS had offered its schools. Over 200 schools applied for the grant, however only 23 schools actually received the money to purchase 32 iPads, and $200 worth of iTune vouchers to purchase apps..
People who oppose this technology in the classroom feel that it is a distraction to the students. Many people agree with this statement, but supports say that schools need to come up with a plan to limit these distractions, and still use these devices. The goal of the CPS is to monitor and evaluate the proficiency of the students using the iPads. The CPS would also like to continue to expand this iPad program throughout the entire CPS district.
The author starts out this article by stating the average college student pays more than $1,000 per year in textbook fees. Not only are these books expensive, they are also bulky, especially if you are a science or economic major. So how will e-books change education? Many mainstream educational institutions are already exploring the e-book technology. An Amazon Kindle weighs about two pounds. It can carry up to 3,500 different titles! If those were printed books, that would be the equivalent of a full grown elephant!
Another advantage of the e-book will be video clips, internet sites, and better graphics within the student’s hands. These e-books are set up less like text books, because the trend seems to be that students and teachers want to gather as much information quickly at their finger tips.
The e-book craze has affected such publishers as McGraw-Hill. They still make most of their profits (about 95%) on textbooks, but they are preparing themselves for the future e-book markets. The e-book trend has also created new companies like Flat World Knowledge. This new company’s primary focus is developing new and exciting e-book software.
Article #1: How will the iPad change education?
The author explores how education (inside and outside of the classroom) will be changed with the use of a tablet, versus the traditional methods (i.e. textbooks) used today. The benefits are endless. Those who produce the information will now be able to instantly update their products and still make a profit. The teachers and students will benefit by receiving this updated material. Even the environment will benefit from less trees being cut down to make these hard copied pieces of data.
In the long run, the use of these tablets will make those using them more productive citizens, make the educational process more cost efficient, personal, and mobile. It will also make the learning method a community based operation by connecting people through the use of these tablets.
Reynolds, R. (n.d.). How Will the IPad Change Education? . In PBS TeacherLine. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/blog/2010/01/how-will-the-ipad-change-education/
Article 2: Measuring the iPad's Potential for Education
Answers to questions at one’s fingertips? That is one of the many benefits to using an iPad in the classroom. This new device is in its infancy, but the author of this article believes that the potential for this device as an educational tool are numerous, especially with the use of the Internet. However, there are drawbacks for this technological tablet. The largest obstacle being affordability at this time. Over time, the price of iPad should drop, making future classroom instruction an exciting and interactive process.
McCrea, B. (2010, January 27). In The Journal: Transforming Education Through Technology. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/01/27/measuring-the-ipads-potential-for-education.aspx
Article 3: **//Menasha schools to make digital leap//**
Right here in the Fox Valley? That’s right! The Menasha School District is making the textbook obsolete. Starting next year, the Menasha school district will begin phasing in the use of iPads and other notebook devices for their students to use in and out of the classroom. The Superintendent said that they have been looking at this changeover, and will be able to pay for it through monies voted on by the Menasha community starting back in 2001. These tech devices will most likely be leased by the district and insured for damaged, or lost items.
Finally, this change over will not only dramatically change the classroom, it may also change the traditional yearly schedule that has been used by the Menasha school district. This and training for teachers will have to be worked out through the teachers’ union.
King, M. (2010, November 9). Menasha Schools to Make Digital Leap. In postcresent.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20101109/APC0101/11090426/Menasha-schools-to-make-digital-leap
Article 4: **//Cloverport Schools’ “Apples for Aces” Initiative Enhances Student Learning//**
The Cloverport School District, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, recently gave all of their certified teachers an iPad to use within their classrooms. Needless to say, the teachers were very excited about receiving these tablets. This is the first step in allowing both the staff and the students to gain information with the use of this ever changing technology. Grant money was used to purchase the iPads for the staff, and to train them on how to use them. It is the goal of the district to purchase classroom sets of iPads with future grant money. Until then, teachers are encouraged to let the kids use their iPads when possible.
Cloverport Staff, . (2010, November 12). Cloverport Schools’ “Apples for Aces” Initiative Enhances Student Learning. In Cloverport Independent Schools News Release. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from http://www.ksba.org/news/article/cloverport-schools-apples-for-aces-initiative-enhances-student-learning
Article 5: The iPad is Coming! (Or is it?)
In this article written by Mr. Prensky, he looks at the endless possibilities that a device like the iPad, or any similar device will have in the classroom. He also explores other conditions that will arise from one-to-one use (by the students) of such devices. In particular, are school districts going to be able to pay for these tech tablets? How will these devices be protected? Then if a desirable protective case is found, how will they be individualized by the student using them?
What the author is trying to say in this article is that a simple thing like a protective case may hinder, or even prevent districts from allowing their students to use the iPad as an educational tool. Maybe an iPod Touch would be a better alternative because they can be carried in one’s own pocket.
Prensky, M. (2010). The iPad is Coming! (Or is it?). In Marc Prensky.com. Retrieved November 16, 2010, from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-TheiPadIsComing-orIsIt-EdTech2010-02.pdf
Article 6: Chicago Public Schools Launch iPad Trials
Children in the first and second grades at Bruley Elementary School, of the Chicago Public School District (CPS), are one of twenty-three schools in the district to have been given iPads to as a pilot within the classroom. They will use such apps as: Question Builder (to help them answer abstract answers) and iWriteWords (to teach hand writing).
These iPads and were paid for through a mini-grant that CPS had offered its schools. Over 200 schools applied for the grant, however only 23 schools actually received the money to purchase 32 iPads, and $200 worth of iTune vouchers to purchase apps..
People who oppose this technology in the classroom feel that it is a distraction to the students. Many people agree with this statement, but supports say that schools need to come up with a plan to limit these distractions, and still use these devices. The goal of the CPS is to monitor and evaluate the proficiency of the students using the iPads. The CPS would also like to continue to expand this iPad program throughout the entire CPS district.
Mullholland, J. B. (2010, August 17). Chicago Public Schools Launch iPad Trials. In Classroom Technology. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from http://www.convergemag.com/classtech/CPS-iPad-trial.html
Article 7: Ebooks: A New School of Thought
The author starts out this article by stating the average college student pays more than $1,000 per year in textbook fees. Not only are these books expensive, they are also bulky, especially if you are a science or economic major. So how will e-books change education? Many mainstream educational institutions are already exploring the e-book technology. An Amazon Kindle weighs about two pounds. It can carry up to 3,500 different titles! If those were printed books, that would be the equivalent of a full grown elephant!
Another advantage of the e-book will be video clips, internet sites, and better graphics within the student’s hands. These e-books are set up less like text books, because the trend seems to be that students and teachers want to gather as much information quickly at their finger tips.
The e-book craze has affected such publishers as McGraw-Hill. They still make most of their profits (about 95%) on textbooks, but they are preparing themselves for the future e-book markets. The e-book trend has also created new companies like Flat World Knowledge. This new company’s primary focus is developing new and exciting e-book software.
Baumann, M. (2010, May). Ebooks: A New School of Thought. In Information Today. Retrieved November 19, 2010, from http://www.allbusiness.com/education-training/education-systems-institutions/14506484-1.html