eBooks and iPads and Apps oh my!

Article Citation: Williams, H., and German, L.  .  eBooks and iPads and Apps oh my!  Seen Magazine.  15 Nov. 2012.  Web. 5 Apr. 2013.  Retrieved from http://www.seenmagazine.us/articles/article-detail/articleid/2570/ebooks-and-ipads-and-apps-oh-my.aspx

Summary:  I read the article “eBooks and iPads and Apps oh my!”  Teachers have to adapt their teaching, due to the fact students are growing up in a digital age. 

Many teachers today are using iPads in their classrooms that are loaded with apps to make teaching activities interactive and fun.  According to Doug Cooper, the updates and apps are fairly easy and inexpensive when compared with the effort and costs of sifting through multiple editions of textbooks.  eBooks are also being used in classrooms.  eBooks contain ready-made activities and quizzes for teachers, which uses cross-curricular methods, and are also aligned to common core standards. 

According to the article, when implementing tablet technology in the classroom, teachers are able to include more cross-curricular learning and tailor their lesson plans to fit the needs of individual students.  When using iPads, tablets, or computers in the classroom, there is the potential for differentiated instruction down to the individual student level and within each discipline.  Each child could be encouraged to learn and advance at their own pace and according to the article, this would be a tremendous potential for both our struggling and advanced learners. 

Reflection:  I do not have eBooks, iPads, or iPods in my first grade classroom, but this article made me think about the benefits of using these forms of technology in my classroom.  Tablet technology would be very useful in the classroom because information is effortless and endless.  I agree with the article that teachers would have more freedom using eBooks, iPads, or iPods in the classroom.  Using these forms of technology, I would be able to individualize lesson plans, challenge students within their own skill sets, better keep students engaged, and help them learn at their own pace.  I also agree with the article in that traditional teaching methods are still very effective, as well as reading from a book and completing hands-on science and math activities.  These skills are needed in society, college, and future work experiences.   

After reading the article, I am considering asking my school board if I could get at least a few iPads for my classroom.  I would use iPads to teach all subject areas.  One way my students could use on iPad is to search for information, images, etc. on a certain topic or subject.  This allows students to dive deeper into a topic or subject.  The enormous number applications on iPads would make learning more interactive and fun for students.  Well-developed apps on iPads would also engage, motivate and inspire learning in my classroom.  When used effectively, students’ knowledge would increase.