There is no longer a debate!
If money was no object would a teacher want their students to have an iPad each?
OF COURSE
Even if they only used it to research a different perspective. Even if they only used it to add resources to their work. Even if they only used it as an alternative way to demonstrate learning.
The research exists to support the device as a tool for learning. All over the world schools and districts are deploying iPads to enhance learning. The reason this is happening:
IT WORKS
Any mobile device can assist in the learning process, it just happens that the iPad is the current class leader. It provides opportunity inside the classroom and encourages the learning transition from home to school. Students are engaged with the device and are eager to demonstrate learning and discover new applications. Educators are excited by the opportunity to develop their methods and discover new ways of stimulating their learners.
So why do we continue to debate?
Money – It isn’t the educators job to worry about the finances. If a school can afford one device, it will help in the classroom. If a school can afford a 1:1 programme, it will help in the classroom. It is up to the administrators to find the means to finance any new technology. If the money isn’t available then the new technology can’t be implemented – that is not a reason for educators to debate if a mobile device will enhance learning.
Behaviour Management – ‘If students are using technology inappropriately in the classroom, you have a behaviour problem, not a technology problem.’ This is an opinion that has been voiced on social media platforms on numerous occasions. Students will use technology inappropriately in the classroom. This shouldn’t be a reason to avoid a mobile device. The new technology does require modelling ‘good practice’ in the classroom but isn’t that true of any learning method?
Learning – If the device isn’t suitable for a task then educators shouldn’t use it. There is no such thing as an iPad lesson. If it will enhance learning then it could be used. If it is not suitable for a part of the lesson, it stays in the student’s bag. There are many options available to educators to nurture learning – the iPad provides a few more.
The iPad in Education debate should centre around appropriate use. The device is so new to some educators that it is only natural to present barriers rather than embrace the possibilities. However, once past this position, conversation is about stimulating learners with the iPad playing a role. The device can make the process a little easier once educators understand its applications and workflow opportunities.
If it was our job as educators to deal with financial implications or logistical issues then we would be right to debate the use of the iPad in lessons. However, it is our role to educate and the administrators job to provide us with the tools. The iPad has a use in the classroom and if possible should be made available to students. I would go so far as to say that any trial conducted in schools is now about the logistical rather than the learning implications. Schools need to change financial plans and wireless infrastructures to support the new technology. The impact of these changes must not be underestimated but this is not the concern of educators.
The real debate centres around when and where to use the device to support existing methodology. Educators are constantly searching for support to help get to grips with new technology and social media is playing a significant role.
We are all learning together on that one!
Graham Quince
July 17, 2012 at 7:44 am
Regarding money, you claim it is not an educator’s job to worry about money, yet you refer exclusively to the iPad. Have you even looked at the range of Android tablets? The latest Samasung Galaxy Tab 7 is around £170 per device and is capable of everything an iPad is. As an educator, like any public servant, you have a responsibility to ensure you spend tax payers money wisely. By dismissing money as someone else’s problem you cheapen the argument.
At Cramlington Learning Village we looked at both iOS and Android devices and the flexibility of Android won hands down. I’m not anti-Apple, I have an iPad at home, but in school they have too many issues (paying for apps, inability to upload photos etc…)
syded
July 17, 2012 at 7:50 am
Thank you for commenting. Hopefully you’ll see that I referred to money as no object and the reasons for educators to worry about the iPad should centre around learning and not finance. You will also note that the iPad is merely the class leader and if administrators can’t subsidise that then the iPad is not a viable option. I believe all mobile devices should be considered and schools should prepare for different products that suit the learner’s needs.
Given a choice, the iPad is the best product right now and learning should be the focus for teachers. The point of the blog is to highlight the barriers educators put forward that aren’t necessarily their concern. If a school can’t afford them then they shouldn’t be implemented.
Hope that helps.
Graham Quince
July 17, 2012 at 8:10 am
Hi,
My issue with your post is something you repeat in your reply, namely that the “iPad is the best product right now”. It isn’t. Not for a classroom. I suggested you’re cheapening the argument because you make it all about the most expensive product.
Considering finances has to be part of everyone’s concern. We went for a parental contribution scheme and to push through iPads when asking others to pick up the cost would have been reprehensible without considering the alternatives.
I understand the spirit of your post and your reply, that all mobile devices are worth considering, but if teachers are to truly win the argument for allowing them in classrooms, then all points of protest must be considered not dismissed.
It is possible to win the debate without dismissing any argument. For instance, the behaviour management issue can be dealt with through the use of clearly stated consequences, including parental control apps, internet management and confiscation.
To pass all the work to administrators, is disingenuous at best and disrespectful at worst. Bringing mobile devices into the classroom needs to be in partnership with your support staff. Use them, let them help you achieve your goal, don’t simply stomp over them demanding iPads.
syded
July 17, 2012 at 10:33 am
Having trialled each device before we plumped for the iPad and following guidance from a number of different schools it is our conclusion that the iPad is the best device right now. Not everyone needs to agree with that. The work of the administrators regards the finance and logistics. The work of the the educators is the enhancement of learning. The point of the post is to highlight that educators should not put up barriers of finance/logistics much like administrators should not put up barriers to learning. If I had suggested that the administrators should decide on whether or not the devices enhance learning then I would agree. However I do not suggest that it is all for administrators to decide. If it is not logistically or financially viable then the devices are not viable. That would be for the administrators to decide. If they do not enhance learning then the devices are not viable. That would be for the educators to decide.
I hope that helps in some way and as an aside we have an excellent support team who have carried out the wireless and finance plans for our school.
Again I should point out that the post iterates if money was no object the iPad would enhance learning. It doesn’t suggest that money IS no object.
huntingenglish
July 25, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Can you explain which product is better, as you state in your follow up post? I have research products and compared Android and iPads extensively, blogging on the matter to support my research – huntingenglish@wordpress.com. For English, the capacity of the iPad won hands down. The apps we want to use on the iPad are simply not available to the equivalent Android devices. Apple hosted apps, like iTunes U and IMovie are the best of their kind, simple and effective in the classroom. Goodreader, ExplainEverything, PuppetPals, iBooks, Keynote, Podcasts are all excellent apps, consistently quality controlled by Apple (yes, this hegemony is problematic, but it means the quality is worth the cost and the likes of viruses and crashes are greatly minimised).
We are plotting a pilot where the iPads are a collaborative tool for groups, not a one-to-one device, and again, we have researched this thoroughly and it makes financial sense for the school. Secondly, we have invested in Apple TVs for classrooms. We now have the capacity to play any of the devices through the projector instantly. We have not had to buy expensive a Interactive Whiteboards or Visualisers like many other departments and schools. Yes, ou pay a premium for the iPad, because it works best for the needs of many educators – arguably most when put to the test. I am a public servant who is hell bent on giving the best education to children in my care, in the most cost effective way possible. Concerning ed-tech I have found that the iPad is the best mobile device – please provide evidence to the contrary if you have it – I would welcome the debate.
Clearly, I agree with the thrust of the blog, but I am always open to new research and better technology – the blog post doesn’t disavow that either. Your challenge is rather hollow without substantial evidence to the contrary.
huntingenglish
July 25, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Clearly my reply was addressed to Graham
Edward Upton
July 25, 2012 at 5:44 pm
I think Graham was primarily talking about the features of the devices themselves (which is broadly comparable, apart from AirPlay for iPad + AppleTV) whereas you are talking about the depth and quality of available apps.
But that’s a good reason to plump for iOS – and that’s why Apple’s adverts for iPad all promote specific apps. Apps make the teaching experience work nicely, although as Mr. Hillage points out, too much of a controlled environment takes away student interest in the workings and programming that goes into apps. Having said that, most of the software developers I know own iPhones over Android, because it just works…
syded
July 25, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Thank you for commenting. I believe that any tablet, as long as it is seen as a tool, will enhance learning in the classroom. Again the educator is the most important factor in relation to use. Hopefully there will be a number of products that meet educational demands in the future. It is our opinion that the iPad is a fair way ahead at the moment.
Edward Upton
July 17, 2012 at 12:23 pm
I’m agreed that iPads are a better stand-alone package right now, but there are some genuine headaches in setting them up for a school (which Graham mentions).
The real issue is should schools really be buying them at all, rather than enable pupils to use devices they already own – and providing school-loaned devices to pupils without one? I think there’s a fundamental inefficiency with trying to buy the hardware to use in a small part of the school day, which pupils duplicate by having another device in their pocket they already use for leisure activities.
On that note, i’m looking at developing a class collaboration app that would work for both school iPads / Galaxy Tabs and Bring Your Own Devices. I’d really like to talk to teachers who have been piloting these, so if any of you would have time for a chat please drop me a line at edward (at) teachable.net
Ipad Lessons
July 18, 2012 at 4:47 am
That was a very nice post today. Thanks so much for sharing it. I
really enjoyed reading it very much. You have a great day!
Got an iPad? I recommend that you check out these easy iPad video lessons and get the most out of your iPad today.
Easy iPad Video Lessons
D Hillage
July 19, 2012 at 9:54 am
I was teaching when the first computer arrived in schools in the UK. Muc of what you are saying applied then to the BBC micros. They were great for learning and, as teachers, we were concerned to find ways in which they would enhance pupils’ learning. Then along came the stultifying effect of MS Office etc and instead of looking upon a computer as a creative tool the emphasis turned to making pupils into outdated secretaries, learning to use tools that might not be there when they moved into the workforce. It is no wonder they turned to paying games instead of creating them, as a relief from the boredom if endless Word/Excel.Powerpoint lessons.
At last we have a creative tool again giving pupils the freedom to express them selves creatively and communicate in a 21st century way.
I am now retired and can only ask those of you now in schools …Please don’t let this creativity be overridden this time around.
fallingandlaughing
October 24, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Hi, “The research exists to support the device as a tool for learning”. I’ve just read the said research, conducted, it seems, by an ICT Research Company and an ICT consultancy who has worked with the school previously and financial benefit to gain. There was no control group. Whilst there seems no doubt that staff and pupils enjoy the iPads and find them easy to easy to use, the big question is – does it actually work, i.e. improve attainment? There was no hard data, only subjective responses, and only 46% of staff either agreed or strongly agreed that they improved the quality of students’ work, only 39% agreed or strongly agreed that they had increased student progress, and only 28.2% stated they thought student achievement appears to have risen. And this from staff in a school who seem very pro ICT. Oh, and only 21% of parents who responded felt it value for money. Maybe they will improve attainment, but I think I’ll wait for research independently conducted using control groups and hard as well as soft data before spending huge sums of money.
Steve
March 23, 2013 at 11:56 pm
Thanks for sharing this post. I teach 8th grade English, and recently received a set if iPads in my class where I already had been using a class set of net books. Though I’d've only been using he iPads for a couple of weeks, both my students and I have noticed strengths and limitations to both types of technology. I planning to write more about what we find in my blog, but for now I wanted to share this post I came across today that examined more of the research that was out there (including the study you cited): http://ipadapps4school.com/2013/03/21/a-small-collection-of-studies-of-ipad-use-in-education/
Daniel Edwards
March 23, 2013 at 11:57 pm
Thanks for the links Steve.