How can YOUR touch be used in the classroom?

What is the tool?

The iPad is something new introduced by Apple Inc. in April of 2010. When it came out many people rushed out to be one of the first to own one. It can be used in many different ways, and the classroom is one of them.

How can it be used?

The iPad can be used in schools by students and teachers. It has internet capabilities along with thousands of applications that can be used in the classroom. It is touch screen, which will allow for students to interact with different sites as well as online text books. Its wide screen allows for easy visibility and easy navigation through the different web sites and applications. It also can be used to connect to the computer to bring “your” iPad on the screen for others to see, allowing you to write or highlight text or diagrams if needed.

Advantages:

The advantages of having the iPad in the classroom is the students are able to be involved and interact with the different programs and sites available for them. Also, while teaching students about different subjects (math, science, etc.) they are also learning about technology and how to use it to their benefit. It is lightweight and easy to store allowing students to have to carry around such heavy book bags. The more the students have the access to the web and other applications, the easier it will become to teach them.

Disadvantages:

Some of the disadvantages of having this in the classroom are that it may lead to an increase of distraction in the classroom. To lessen this student would have to closely monitor while using the iPads. Another concern is that not all children have internet access at home. To help with this problem there might be a way for the children to get a hard copy of their text books or anything else that they might need for homework to take home.

Audience for this tool:

The audience for this tool is everyone. Children and adults of all ages are the targeted audience.

My opinion:

I believe that this tool is very useful and beneficial especially in the classroom. It will allow the teacher and students to become more involved in what is being taught and learned, leading to a better understanding.

Learn more about this tool:
Education Applications
About the iPad
Things you should know about the iPad