Article Reflection--Pam Krambeck

Article Citation:  Johnson, Ben. "How the IPad Can Transform Classroom Learning." Edutopia. The George Lucas Foundation, 9 July 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.

Summary:  Ben Johnson is a high school principal from a school with plans to implement a 1-2-1 iPad program with students. In the article, he shares his views on how iPads can impact learning and how it might look different than the integration of laptops or desktop computers.  

The focus of the article "How the iPad Can Transform Classroom Learning" is on the personal, mobile use of the iPad and how it makes learning an individual experience.  In one of the examples shared, the author gives a scenario of walking students through a web site on a laptop going to the same site, walking through the same steps and completing the same activity.  His hope for the future with iPads is one that includes putting a personal device in the hands of the students loaded with tools that they can self-select to accomplish a learning task.  The students might be watching a video clip, going to iTunesU or exploring additional resources, as well as, sketching on a drawing app or creating a presentation in Prezi. 

The author shares that the teacher's role will evolve and they will be facilitators and observers in the classroom documenting student learning with video clips, pictures and discussions.  Getting teachers involved in the shift to mobile devices was touched upon in the article including addressing concerns about students playing games and using iPads in non-productive activities.  

Reflection:  The author gave some great examples of how the iPad might be used in the school setting, but many of the examples that were shared could also be completed with laptop computers equipped with multimedia tools, microphones, webcams and creativity applications.  I agree with the author on the unique relationship (that is the best word I can think of) that a student forms when given their own personal iPad for use in the classroom.  The tactile experience of using an iPad along with the limited number of buttons and screens to navigate make the user experience very intuitive.  The focus moves away from which button to press and how to navigate the program and more toward finding a set of apps (hopefully free ones) that will allow students to get at the information needed, communicate their learning, and explore the topic beyond the textbook.  Teachers have always instructed by giving students a set of tools, a learning task and a target. The difference with technology (laptops or iPads) is that educators give up the role of information delivery and become the facilitator and guide to learning discovery by the student. I see the iPad as a tool that simplifies the task of putting together resources for students and teaching them how to use a number of programs or multimedia tools.  With the iPad students spend time learning about the topic rather than learning to use the device.

Putting the iPad to Work in Elementary Classrooms

Website:

 http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/07/11/putting-the-ipad-to-work-in-elementary-classrooms.aspx
By Peter Levy


I have been contemplating the use of iPads in my classroom since I got one this past summer. I initially got my Ipad for personal use; however, quickly began downloading apps that I could possibly use in my classroom. The article simply summarized my feelings that iPads should be incorporated through the classroom. 

The article describes how Camilla, Instructional Technology Coordinator at Arlington, initially used ipads strictly for students with disabilities. I also agreed that ipads would help these students greatly. The article then goes on to talk about how the ipad should be used not only with students with disabilities but every student!

Students are quickly engaged into the topics presented on the ipad. Students are creating unique projects that they are able to post and share with a swipe of a finger and lightening fast speed. 

I only wish my school had the funds to provide my room with ipads. My teaching partner recently received ipods which I feel are just as useful and could be used in the same ways that the article mentions. 

Technology Integration for Elementary Schools

http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-technology-integration

The article I chose was, Technology Integration for Elementary Schools. This article was a good article in that it gave examples over technology tools and ways that you can use them.

I liked how this article states that technology should enhance the content and not the other way around.  Technology should not be served as a time filler. If it is, then technology becomes less effective. Students need to be able to use technology in the classroom, not just the teacher. Students need to use these tools so that they become more familiar with them and less intimidated by them. This article gives so many examples on how these tools can be used in the classroom for students and teachers. For example students can use clickers,video cameras, computers, and mobile devices to create a variety of projects. For teachers, they can use the clickers to see if students are understanding the material that is being taught right away and also use this data for grades and for the other tools they can monitor each child's work and the progress they are making or not making.

Another idea that I liked was sharing students work with others. This is encouraging and a self-esteem booster to students. By using technology, sharing work with others in the building will be easy to do and be able to be shown again and again. By sharing students work, this may encourage other kids to try technology out and maybe even spark some ideas in another teacher to try.

The last bit of this article made me smile! As a teacher I have experienced worrying about students dropping or being destructive with technology tools to frustration when technology does not work and I am left to scramble to find something else to do. The last bit of this article tells us teachers to relax and have a backup plan. If we portray to our students that we our comfortable with technology, even when it decides not to work, and that we are eager to try new things, this will help encourage our students to try new things for themselves and even if they don't work, to keep trying!

Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students

A Research Project Sponsored by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement
U.S. Department of Education
Conducted by SRI International

Title of Article:  Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students

URL:  http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html

I read “Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students”.  In this article there were 7 key points that were discussed.  Change in Student and Teacher Roles, Increased motivation and Self Esteem, Technical Skills, Accomplishment of More Complex Tasks, More Collaboration with Peers, Increased Use of outside Resources and Improved Design Skills/Attention to Audience. 

This article discussed how students are more engaged and have an active role when they can use technology.  The teachers roll changes to being more of a facilitator instead of just an instructor.  With the teacher being the facilitator he or she has more time to help support and have conversations with students about their learning.  This piece of research also states that students of all ages are eager to complete tasks that they would normally struggle with if they were not using technology.  By allowing students to use expensive tools such as computers and iPods,. teachers are showing students that they are valued and so is their effort to learn.  It is also mentioned that students are more aware of their audience when using technology.  Students have an active choice in how they want their project to look.  However if the teacher is not careful students can get so wrapped up in how the project is looking (font, color, etc..) that they pay less attention to the content of the project. 

Reflection:  I agree with everything this article is saying.  I have seen reluctant and developing readers be more engaged when they have a technology tool that will help assist them in their reading.  Some of the games students can play with makes them not even realize they are practicing a math skill or practicing their spelling.  Technology is a “must have” in today’s classroom.    Everyone needs to come to terms with the fact that this generation of students thrive on using technology.  If teachers do not give students technology to enhance their learning they are going to lose their students focus and desire. This could potentially minimize their students future success.