READ THE FOLLOWING TWO ARTICLES AND POST A RESPONSE (SHORT PARAGRAPH) FOR EACH
http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2012/11/20/the-downside-of-a-high-tech-classroom/
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2011/09/07/more-high-schools-implement-ipad-programs?int=96e908
Mike Gleason's Article: More High Schools Implement iPad Programs
ReplyDeleteI think this article makes total sense. In today's world with the technology that is out there, schools need to take full advantage of what is out there for our students. Working primarily at the elementary level, these kids are in some ways more tech savvy than I am. Now I don't think the elementary level should implement an iPad for every student, but my point is that if young children can be efficient on a tablet, than high school students would definitely benefit from having a tablet to use on a daily basis at school. If districts can afford the luxury of tablets for every student, then they must implement!
Mike Denburg's Article: The Downside of a High-Tech Classroom
Although I understand what this article to trying to prove, I just don't think it's enough for me to change my views on whether classrooms should provide tablets for students to use in place of textbooks. Like I stated in my above response, districts need to step up and keep up with the 2014 technology. It's also not fair if neighboring districts are providing the necessary materials for their students but another district is still using textbooks from 1995. With a tablet, students can access the most recent articles or listen to an updated podcast when researching for a project or writing a paper. Some students and their families may not be able to afford tablets or computers at home, so if their school doesn't provide these things then these students will sadly be missing out as they progress in school. I understand the cons that this article is stating, but I think the only truly serious one (health risks) can be prevented or at least held to a minimum if parents do their part at home and don't allow their children to spend hours upon hours playing video games. Schools need to help their students and these students need access to technology to thrive to the best they can be!
My school has a 1-to-1 iPad program. This is our second year and in response to the second article I've noticed a much larger percentage of broken devices than their pilot school. The result is a classroom where at least 1 or 2 students can't do the assignment or experiment without sharing with another student. As far achievement, I would have been firmly in the camp of iPads have had drastic effects on my students learning after one year of implementation, but my students in year two (most of them having a whole year's experience on the device) are no better than previous years at actual math content. So I think their anecdotal evidence needs a few more years to actual see any trends. I am most interested to see how the online PARCC tests pan out if the familiarity with the technology helps.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the other article I am interested to find out more about the health effects on children that grow up with this technology in their daily lives. As Kyle said it's up to parents to monitor at home use. When most of us were growing up putting a child in front of the tv for several hours everyday was destroying society so now they are only in front of the tv for a little while and have an iPad or computer for the remaining hours. I also would like to hear more about the studies that there is more retention of typed words in paper than digital print.
More High Schools Implement iPad Programs:
ReplyDeleteAt Millburn Middle School, we are piloting one-one initiative in the 7th grade. Two teams (100 students each) are trying either a chromebook or mac-air. I noticed that the article is dated September 2011. I wonder if the new trend is laptops and not ipads. We all know how quickly technology becomes outdated. Although ipads are not outdated, there is something bigger and better right around the corner. My colleague, just today was telling me that she heard of a district that has 1 to 1 ipads that is replacing them with chromebooks. I have a 20-ipad lab in my classroom. I would like to use them more than I do now. Maybe that is something I can explore for my independent study. =)
BTW, it isn't just a school district. It is Los Angeles Unified School District. LOL!
DeleteArticle:
Deletehttp://appleinsider.com/articles/14/07/01/los-angeles-school-district-to-shift-away-from-apples-ipad-windows-chromebook
The Downside of a High-Tech Classroom:
ReplyDeleteI have seen both benefits and disadvantages of ipad usage in my room. One thing not mentioned in the article is the tendency for 13-year olds to stray from the task at hand to "play a game." With an ipad, that's too easy.One of my student has lost computer privileges twice for playing "run" int he middle of a google classroom lesson. On the other hand, I see my students more excited and engaged in lessons utilizing the ipads. That makes the lesson and hopefully the content more memorable.
As Somone who like many of us has grown up in a era where technology was becoming a part of every day life, i also would like to hear more about the health effects. I do not think 100% that technology is directly hurting us but more indirectly. From personal experience i can say that technology has effected the way i concentrate. When i was in college the only way i could study was with multiple distractions. (i.e. while studying i needed the television on muted with music playing in order to comprehend what i was studying.) I believe that technology has become such a distraction for us that we now need those distractions to function. Again this is just my personal experience. :)
ReplyDeleteThe downside of a high-tech classroom:
ReplyDeleteAs most people have already stated, I would be interested in finding out more about the health risks associated with handheld technology devices as well as how these devices have caused sleep disturbance. The other part that I find interesting is the con “People who read print text comprehend more, remember more, and learn more than those who read digital text.” I find that I personally prefer to look at text in a book when doing plans for school as opposed to online curriculum books. However, I have found that when reading for pleasure, I do not have a preference, and don’t feel that I comprehend less when reading on a kindle. I think a lot of it has to do with the content and interest in the topic. That being said, much of what kids have to read (while at school) is probably not what they would choose to read, which is why they may not comprehend what they are reading.
More High School Implement iPad Programs
In this article, the part that I found most interesting was, “students who used the Algebra 1 app outperformed students who used traditional textbooks.” I would be most interested in knowing whether both groups of students were comparable. As educators, we know that there are so many other factors that need to be taken into consideration when comparing 2 groups of students and looking at their growth. What is their home life like? What is their SES? Etc. As someone who is trying to incorporate more technology into the classroom, I have found that students are engaged when technology is involved.
Erin Mitschke
As a father of a newborn my wife and I have read every article about the use of technology usage. They say that all children under two years of age should avoid it and all children older should use it in limited quantities. I have to agree, even though it pains me as a technology teacher. I also have to agree with "Lotto" that I have to read from paper, when it comes to work, and can read from my kindle as well. Maybe because the computer is too distracting?
ReplyDeleteAgain, I have to agree with "Lotto" Their too many factors to think about. Perhaps the group using the iPads used many of the different review type games, Quizlet, Kahoot, etc.