iPad for the Weekend

The iPad is a table computer designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It’s a mobile, hand held device which offers opportunities for audio-visual media including books, videos, music, games, applications and web content. The first iPad was released in April 2010 and since then it has become more and more popular.

When I had the opportunity to take an iPad home for the weekend, I jumped at the chance as I had not ever experienced one before. At first I was slightly apprehensive about using the device and I wondered if Prensky(2001) was correct about ‘Digital Natives’ being more able to adapt to new technology. Prensky(2001) suggests that people who were born during or after the introduction of digital technology have been ‘Surrounded’ (p.1) by it there whole lives and so therefore are more able to work and engage with new digital technology. I questioned if this would apply to me as I would be considered as a ‘Digital Native’.

 I found the iPad a lot easier to use than I had expected and it did not take me long to figure out most of its features and start to engage with them. This backs up Prensky’s thoughts about ‘Digital Natives’ being more in tune with new technology.

As for the use of the iPad in education, I have mixed feelings about it. There are a lot of benefits for using an iPad in the classroom, for example it provides great opportunities for creativity in the classroom with many applications for design, composing music, photography editing etc. I can see the iPad being successful in establishing the Curriculum for Excellence principle of Personalisation and choice as the activities would include learners having to be creative in their decision making and take ownership of the task at hand.

Another benefit for using the iPad in the classroom is its ease of use, especially for typing. From previous school experience I have noticed that it can often be hard to motivate children in language tasks as they are put off by the writing aspect due to the child struggling with spelling for example. The iPad would be ideal for children to use for answering comprehension questions or even taking quick notes during lessons. It saves space that would have been taken up with a computer as well.

One disadvantage to using the iPad in the classroom is the lack of opportunities for pupil collaboration and group work. I agree with Moyles et al (2003) stating that pupil collaboration and interaction is extremely important in education. When using the iPad myself I felt I was beginning to become completely focused on the device and switched off completely, isolating myself from others. Yes it is good to be able to learn on your own and be self directed and reliable but as Moyles et al(2003) explain that communication is vital and should be encouraged in the classroom.

 Also the cost of an iPad is also a disadvantage for use in the classroom. Although it is an amazing device with a lot of variety for children, it just isn’t within any childs pocket money budget. Perhaps schools could purchase one or two and they could be rotated between classes, but even still some schools in less well off areas may struggle to afford to do this.

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to experience an iPad for the first time. It was interesting and motvating to try all the activities it provides and I can see so many opportunities for its use in the classroom. In an ideal world the all children could have the opportunity to use an iPad in school however in reality I’m not sure it could at this moment in time.

Moyles, J., Hargreaves, L., Merry, R., Paterson, F., Esarte-Sarries, V. (2003) Interactive Teaching in the Primary School. Philadelphia: Open University

Prensky, M. (2006) ‘Don’t bother me mom- I’m Learning’. United States: Paragon House