Previously, I discussed about how iPads can be used for students with disabilities. With the change, knowing how parents, teachers, and students feel about iPads are important.
Students in college find the iPad to be a positive, helpful
change but did have some setbacks. These
students liked having all their course material in one place and found
switching between apps were easy. They
did find that the iPad did lack in a filing system and the keyboard was not the
easiest to type long assignments.
Teachers find that iPads are helpful in the classroom
because it can be used for a variety of students in all grades. With iPads, students can access information
for ongoing reports, work on assignments at their own pace without having to
leave the classroom, and play games that are educational and fun.
Parents love the iPad for their educational value but are
concerned about the one finger used on the iPad. Since they are continually using their
pointer finger, the muscles used for holding a pencil are becoming weaker. Depending on the game, the thumb and pointer
finger are both used strengthening the muscles. Parents have found that iPads have enhanced their childs' spelling, counting, creativity, and problem solving skills.
From all my research, I have found that students, teachers,
and parents all found the use of iPads, for the most part, to be a positive one.
The video below shows how a classroom is transformed by the use of iPads.
References:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed3o-W3l5Pw
I like the idea of iPads and technology in the classroom especially because of all the apps. The apps can cost nothing or 5 dollars for an educational app or game. The students do not even realize sometimes that the app is educational.
ReplyDeleteStudents with disabilities appear to find them stimulating. I have a friend whose son is autistic. The little boy loves his iPad and plays on many different educational games. His father says that the boy has little trouble with its use.