Discussion #2: iPads in the workplace
Ok. I will admit it. I was one of the first iPad owners and waited eagerly for the updates as my friends made the journey home from Seattle. In a Starbucks in Langley (free wifi and coffee), the four of us opened our shiny new iPads as a crowd of admirers looked on.
And I will admit, too, that I have not been able to implement the iPad into my daily practices at school as much as I would like. The limitations of being able to project wirelessly effectively cut down a lot of the things I would have liked to have been able to do with it in the classroom. However, with the second generation iPad, it is much easier to do so.
As a tool, I think the iPad is great for engaging learners. But like any other tool, it has to be used properly. Does it replace a laptop or desktop computer, not for me.
However, that being said, I had a wonderful experience with one of my students in my English 9 class. We were working on creative writing and we were all in the computer lab. He sat down and pulled an iPad out of his backpack and merrily started typing his story. There was definite device envy from his classmates. In an amazing example of humanity (remember, grade 9’s), he offered to let his buddy use his iPad to try it out. He then logged into the computer and accessed his story from DropBox (woo hoo Cloud computing!). His buddy happily worked on his story on the iPad for the rest of the class. I was amazed. Given a new device or tool, all of sudden, engagement went up. It was neat to see.
Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps
Angela Novoa 1:16 pm on November 2, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks for sharing! I loved your idea about iPad as any tool and our need to use it properly. I really believe that it is not the tool but the way in which we use it what might provoke changes in education.
Angela.
jenaca 5:04 am on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I have yet to purchase an iPad and when I do, I feel like I will have the same eagerness to unwrap and start exploring it. I agree with you that the iPad is a great device to use to help engage learners and promote exciting, new and differentiated learning. My only concern with this device is the way we teach students how to use it in the classroom and the student’s age at which it is being used at.
Jenaca
Kristopher 12:22 pm on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
That’s a really cool story, and quite to clever student. I am constantly impressed how students have made technology part of their daily lives as we get past the novelty and see the tool as just that– a tool.
When considering the educational viability of tools, I find it challenging to consider both the learner using the machine and the instructor using the machine. Obviously they have different uses, but it’s difficult for me to remember to look at it from both sides. Thanks for highlighting some of the challenges from an educator’s perspective (e.g., wireless use, etc.).
Cheers,
Kristopher