It is almost a year since I bought my first iPad.
I say “first iPad” because I am having such trouble getting it away from my wife and my son. I am pretty sure we’re going to need another one soon.
Students at HTS, an independent school in Richmond Hill are part of an iPad pilot project and finding the new technology exciting to use. PHOTO COURTESY OF HTS
Like most iPad owners, it is our go-to resource to read newspapers online, browse the Internet and to use all kinds of interesting apps. We are certainly not alone and here at HTS, an independent school in Richmond Hill, we also have a couple of iPad pilot schemes on the go in Grade 1 classrooms.
As you can imagine, our students find the new technology exciting to use. iPad technology enables the boys and girls to take ownership of their education and to be part of the process. Youngsters engage more, have greater pride in their work and what they are learning about.
More interestingly, our teachers are also raring to go because they see the potential for the iPad to be a truly transformative piece of educational technology.
The children can touch, hear and see things up close. The more learning modes used, the more likely their learning is likely to stay with them long-term. The iPad is also useful in allowing the children to learn at their own pace. This is valuable as some youngsters respond to being given a task and a deadline for completion, whilst others need more guidance and time.
Another great advantage of the iPad is that it is very easy to show why subjects like math and science are important and exciting. Having access to real-world examples can help bring more challenging subjects to life in new ways.
What we like so far is that Apple’s technology is easy to use and students can create rich media presentations and concentrate on content rather than learning how to use software. It also seems to drive more collaboration.
In a way, it’s a natural evolution. But technology in and of itself is not a magic bullet and I think most educators know that. Yes, it’s a long way from slate boards and one-room schoolhouses, but it will fall short unless there’s a corresponding revolution in teaching methodology and that’s also what we plan to incorporate to our iPad pilot at HTS.
This is important because the world is changing outside our walls as well. When our students go on to institutions of higher learning, they will be expected to be self-directed and, ultimately, they will find the same demands when they enter the workforce.
Earlier this year, Vineet Madan, vice-president of McGraw-Hill Higher Education eLabs, argued that colleges and universities should consider the tablet as being ready for the classroom. He cites positive reports from iPad pilot programs at schools across North America and notes some colleges have begun distributing tablets to all of their students.
We shouldn’t be surprised: Giving access to all the world’s knowledge, these low-cost hand held devices are rapidly changing the educational landscape in a revolutionary way.
Related Articles:
Dialogue 2011 Magazine: New Literacies
Read more Dialogue Online articles on technology.
Find out how iPads are being used to teach kindergartners at St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School.
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How is your class joining the digital revolution? Would you consider using iPads as learning tools? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
About Barry Hughes
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