iPad+Articles


 * Elizabeth (Beth) Stroede**
 * EDT 604: Integrating iPads in the Classroom Basics **
 * NFDL School District, Session 2, Group 4 **


 * Reviews of iPad articles: **
 * 1. How will the iPad change education?**

Reynolds, R. (2010, January 27). //How will the iPad change education?// Retrived from []

This article is a sales pitch. It is selling educators on the concept of the tablet. This is not a bad thing. In fact, it is necessary. We teach to Generation Z; Generations Y (1977-1994) and Z (1995-2012) are the digital natives. Their lives have never known anything different than using computers, cell phones and iPods. They assume that all parents are obliged to provide these “necessities of life” and most parents – including myself – buy into this concept. Those living in poverty insist on having technological devices as a means of fitting in and promoting their self-worth in the community. They will spend money on these tools in the same matter they purchase food or toilet paper.

As an instructor, it would be very naïve of me to think that my students can or want to learn based on my educational experiences. However, and in fact, that is the way most of us perceive how to teach. We do what we know…not always what is best. This blogger shares with us what we can do with our tablets. He gives us options. Now it is our responsibility to read what these devices can do, how to join them with the other devices in our classrooms, and “take off” into a technology wonderland.


 * 2. Measuring the iPads potential for education.**

McCrea, B. (2010, January 27). //Measuring the iPads potential for education.// Retrieved from []

McCrea reviews the thoughts of several types of users at the moment in time when the first iPad was presented by Apple. The 4th grade student is disappointed because there is no camera. The teacher/gradmother is excited, but she is the type of learner who actually reads the fine print on video games. The analyst for __MobilTrax__ is excited as he sees the potentional. While I am certain that the purpose of this article was to share the opinions of potential users for this new device, I was again caught up in how different the attitudes were of the various age levels. It made me somewhat question the direction of my teaching.

The two older participants expressed a sense of adventure and could see potential. Even the teacher who would read the fine print still shared an optimism about what the device could do. However, the student seemed to shut down…what? It did not have it all right away? My first thought was that the 4th grader was a savvy consumer. However, then I was like…wow…is that how my students evaluate what they learn? Are they able to dig deeper and find information? Has this technology made things so simple that they cannot find alternatives? Can they problem solve? Maybe my teaching should no longer give facts that remain surface information, but rather I need to teach them how to do this digging.

Crump, M. (2010, March 29). //Pros and Cons of the iPad in Education.// Retrieved from []
 * 3. Pros and Cons of the iPad in Education**

Crump is a college student who, through this blog, evaluates the pluses and minuses of using the iPad in his daily academic experience. I really appreciate hearing/reading responses from students like him, who, overall, really are not psyched abut traditional learning. I have had too many students who did not fit “in the box” and am desperately looking for something more innovative in my classroom. One of the many positives of the iPad is its size and weight. This asset is discussed in several of my articles. It is easy for students to have their books and notes in a single 1.5 pound device, which is the size of one composition book. I remember only last year as a teacher at the university nearly falling down a flight of stairs when my backpack AND teacher tote shifted. And it sure was not fun changing classrooms, which required my carrying all my papers, markers, books, etc. from the basement of the building to the top floor daily. Too many students carry too much stuff…this has been my mantra for several years. A concern by Crump was lack of textbook availability. In the year and a half since this article, I know I have purchased numerous kindle versions of textbooks. I envision that this issue will be resolved as publishers join the digital movement.


 * 4. Math That Moves: Schools Embrace the iPad **

Hu, W. (2011, January 4). // Math That Moves: Schools Embrace the iPad. // Retrieved from []

Fascinating article! Hu brings to light my of the issues and concerns I have witnessed over the last few months in my district because of the purchase of the iPads for the instructors. Money, academic concerns, replacement of textbooks and how publishers are transitioning to this type of media were reviewed. Just this past weekend, I had a parent inquire as to where the district was getting the money for these iPads when we claim we have no money. I had to explain that besides possible grants that the superintendent probably applied for, the district was also using textbook replacement funds and monies for supplies to cover the purchases. I explained, much like Hu, the benefits of using the iPads in our classrooms and how the students are so very different than learners 10 years ago.

What really appealed to me about Hu’s conversation was that it once again instilled this urge I have to learn more so that I can teach my students in a new way. All my articles have generated that type of response in me. I have become so aware that there is so much I need to learn and I must carve out the time to use the power of the iPad effectively.


 * 5. [|iPads in the Special Education Classroom] **

Anderson, G.H. (2011, January). // [|iPads in the Special Education Classroom] .// Retrieved from []

As a special educator, I wanted specific information as to how to use my iPad according to the unique needs of my students. Anderson has created a blog to provide this type of information. I really applaud her; the value of the content she posts is priceless. It is obvious she has put considerable time into her blog to make it professional and inspirational. It is like a superwiki!

In this blog, she discussed the value of the iPad from the teachers’ and students’ perspectives. As the iPad does not use a mouse, is small, and can stay charged for 10 hours, it is especially effective for a student who is wheelchair bound. It requires very little tech support, so the student can remain independent. It eliminates the need for a photocopier and there is no need to worry about font size. Everything can be adjusted by the student to his or her individual preferences. The article concludes with external links to corresponding articles on the internet.

As we discussed in class, the iPad is significantly less expensive than most single adaptive devices. I have two students who will benefit from its use this year.