Emerging Technology: The IPadIncorporating IPads At Sunset Elementary School

Jessica Webb

An iPad is…A light weight tablet computer designed

and developed by Apple Inc. It is a cross between the Smartphone and

the laptop in that it is a platform for audio and visual media.

Features a touch-screen control as well as a virtual onscreen keyboard

16GB of storage on basic modelsBuilt-in front and back Camera for photo

and videoWi-Fi wireless10 hours of battery life

Why should Sunset Elementary incorporate iPads?They are easy to useEngagingMulti-purposePersonal learning devicesCapable of running thousands of

educational apps for every subject area, grade level, and student learning needs.

Apps also to assist administrators and teachers with responsibilities and duties

IPads Support Sunset’s VisionOur Vision:Sunset ElementarySchool provides adiverse communitywhere students willbecome productive and cooperativelife-long learners toensure their successfor the future.

iPads:Incorporating iPads willspark an interest instudents and provide alllearners with engagingand educational content,which in return, will produce productive andcooperative life-longlearners equipped with technology skills for the21st century.

Benefits Of Using IPads In The Classroom Setting:Assist in meeting content / technology

standardsPromotes specific learning goalsDifferentiates instruction to meet the

needs of all learners.Promotes collaboration locally and globallyActively engages students in learning

IPads Assist In Meeting Content and Technology Standards By using e-textbooks and e-books on the iPad, students

are more engaged and are able to better connect with text.

The iPad allows students to use a variety of multimedia (podcasts, videos, webquests,etc.) to conduct research and self-direct their learning.

There are thousands of educational apps on iTunes that address content standards in all grade levels for all subjects.

Easy to use for authentic and meaningful tasks. Using iPads also puts technology tools in students’ hands

to help them practice, develop, and learn technology skills.

Students can participate in virtual field trips and simulations to better understanding a subject/topic.

Interesting Data:“In a partnership with Apple, textbook

publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt performed a pilot study using an iPad text for Algebra 1 courses, and found that 20% more students (78% compared to 59%) scored 'Proficient' or 'Advanced' in subject comprehension when using tablets rather than paper textbook counterparts” (Bonnington, 2012).

IPads Promote Specific Student Learning Goals IPads allow for students to use creativity

and critical thinking skillsStudents can use iPads to create or

complete authentic task that require many Engaged Learning Indicators and have a high LoTi level.

With internet access and a built-in video, students are able to collaborate with other students around the world.

IPads Assist In Meeting The Needs of all Students Bright pictures and easy navigation makes it easy for

special need students to use. Touch screen makes the iPad easier to use than a computer

with mouse for students who lack fine motor skills. The size and weight makes it easy for all students to use

during class. Many apps available that offer easy, medium, and hard

levels to choose from. Can help organized students by consolidating calendars,

notes, and memos onto one device. Many features of the iPad make it easy for students to read

and write◦ Text-to-Speech – reads the text◦ Voice Over – allows students to hear the text◦ Zoom – enlarges the text

IPads Promote CollaborationStudents could collaborate with their teacher

and classmate for class discussions and assignments using Edmodo. Students could also use Edmodo as a social networking tool to collaborate with others around the globe.

The iPad makes it very easy to share photographs, videos, emails, and documents through email with outside audiences.

Students can also post work and projects to class websites for parents and community members to view.

IPads Increase Student EngagementStudents are eager to get their hands on

this popular deviceThe iPad can be personalized to meet the

students needs which makes them feel more successful and confident

The touch screen makes it easy to use The game like feel of the apps makes

learning “fun”.

“Palm Beach SchoolDistrict gave students inelementary, middle, andhigh school settingsiPads. They werepopular to say the least- more than 90% ofstudents polledexpressed feelings ofcomfort and joy atincorporating the iPadinto their classrooms”(Saenz, 2012).

Research On The Effectiveness of IPad Use In The Classroom

Ipads are a new and rapidly growing technology

tool. Though a limited number of studies have been

conducted, iPad use has shown to be an effective

tool to improve student achievement and quality of

work.

In an article titled, Study Finds Benefitsin Use of iPad as an Educational Tool, K. Walsh (2012)reports that a study conducted at Longfield Academy in Kent,England funded by the NAACE used surveys to assess the impact of iPad use on motivation, quality of work, achievement,collaboration, and other factors after a year long implementation.Among the findings:

77% of faculty respondents felt that student achievement appeared to have risen since the introduction of the iPad 73% of students and 67% of staff felt that the iPad helped

students improve the quality of their work 69% of students that completed the survey felt that using the

iPad was motivating and that they worked better with it than without it

60% of faculty thought that students were more motivated by lessons that incorporate the iPad than those that did not

Using IPads in the Classroom IPads would be an appropriate instructional

tool for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students.

To ensure equitable access to all students, it would be ideal for Sunset to purchase six class sets of iPads (25 in each set) for teachers to check out and use in their classrooms.

By providing six class sets, that would allow each grade level to have a class set to use (Kindergarten and Pre-K sharing a set).

What is needed to implement iPads at Sunset Elementary?Equipment Needed:

150 Ipads 2 with Wi-Fi and Applecare+ - this would allow 4 class sets of 25 iPads

6 Carts - to store ipads and allow easy transportation around the school

1 Macbook Air 11-inch - To manage the iPads

Cost and Funding for IPadsTotal cost for iPads, carts, and Macbook is

$85248.70

◦ 150 iPads 2 (sold in packs of 10 - $4,580.00 each) = $68,700.00

◦ 6 carts (2599.95 each) = $15,599.70◦ 1 Macbook = $949.00

Funding can be provided through:◦ Title funds◦ www.donorschoose.com ◦ Technology grants

Technology Support Training and technology support will be

provided free of charge by our school Instructional Technology Specialist, Melanie Turner, on a weekly basis.

IPads will come with Applecare so if an iPad needs to be replaced or repaired, it is simply returned to Apple and they will repair or replace the iPad.

Plan for Implementation All teachers (including special education and ELL)

and administrators will participate in an initial basic training on how to use, store, and care for iPads.

Professional Development will be provided on a weekly basis during teachers’ planning time or after school for training on the features of the iPads, choosing Apps, managing iPads in the classroom setting, and planning and incorporating instructional based activities using the iPad

The Instructional Technology Specialist will be available to model or assist teachers with iPads in their classrooms.

Limitations and Concerns Effectiveness: An iPad is just an iPad and does not affect

student learning on its on. Teachers and administrators must be trained to use and implement iPads in an effective manner.

Theft: Since iPads are so compact and lightweight, they are easily picked up and carried away. Ipads will need to be connected to a school iCloud so the iPads can be tracked and located if stolen or lost. Ipads will also be stored in locked carts for security purposes when not in use.

Maintenance: Ipads will need updates and care. The Instructional Technology Specialist will assist in these matters.

Safe, Healthy, Legal & Ethical Issues: Just like any other technology device, the iPad has some safe, healthy, legal, and ethical issues. Teachers should monitor students closely that all content is educational. The server should block inappropriate content but there is still a chance that it should come through. Students should have limited time on the iPad to give the students’s eyes a chance to rest from looking at the screen.

ReflectionIPads are an engaging and educational emerging technology. They put learning in the hands of students. With many built -in features and access to thousands of apps, iPads provide an educational tool never before seen in the classroom setting. The possibilities are endless! Through collaboration, authentic tasks, virtual field trips, simulations, and differentiated activities, students are excited about learning and participating in activities to increase achievement. As a result of completing this project, I am eager to see what is to come in the future. As iPads become less expensive and more available, I believe we will see more school systems incorporating iPads in classroom. Most importantly, I believe we will see student achievement soar.

Works Cited:Bonnington, C. (2012). Ipad a Solid Educational Tool, Study Reports.

Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/tech/innovation/ipad-solid-education-tool

Brown, D. (2012). The Advantages of Ipads for Special Education Students. Retrieved from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/advantages-ipads-special-education-students-4061.html

Saenz, A. (2012). Is the IPad the Future of Education? Students in Palm Beach Florida Find Out. Retrieved from http://singularityhub.com/2012/01/20/is-the-ipad-the-future-of-education-students-in-palm-beach-florida-find-out/

Walsh K. (2012). Study Finds Benefits in Use of Ipad as an Educational Tool. Retrieved from http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/07/study-finds-benefits-in-use-of-ipad-as-educational-tool/

Williams, M. (2012). Ipads Especially Helpful for Special-Needs Students. Retrieved from http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-04-18/lifestyle/35453682_1_ipad-app-tablet-samsung-galaxy