Does your child’s school or classroom use advanced technology in their lessons? As classrooms around the world shift toward the increasing use of iPads and tablets, it’s worthwhile to look at the benefits of embracing technology in the classroom.
River Valley School - Photograph by Chris Bolin
In recent years, there has been a great deal of speculation and discussion in the teaching community about whether tablets are the future of learning in the classroom. This has given rise to the suggestion that replacing textbooks and notebooks with the software available for iPads could be a cost-effective way to improve the engagement of students in their education.
The Evolution of Classroom Technology
In his article of May 16, 2011, Vineet Madan, Vice President of McGraw-Hill Higher Education eLabs, made an argument for colleges and universities to consider as he set out reasons why he believed the tablet was ready for the classroom. He cited positive reports from iPad pilot programs at schools across North America and noted that some colleges had begun distributing tablets to all students.
This new development is all part of the evolution of classroom technology, from chalk and slate boards, to inkwells and copybooks, from ballpoints and binders to laptops, and now the iPad. By integrating iPads, the Internet and these digital tools— along with online collaboration and research—schools better prepare students for institutions of higher education where study is much more self-directed and, ultimately, for the world of work where employers expect new hires to be self-motivated and collaborative.
Benefits of Technology in the Classroom
Of course, students find the new technology exciting to use, creating deeper engagement and giving them greater pride in their education. The iPad has proven invaluable in allowing students to work and learn at their own pace, as some respond to being given a task and a set deadline for completion, while others need more guidance and time to complete the assignment. By going online students can also find real-life examples of difficult subject matter— in subjects like math and science—helping them to learn more effectively and retain the knowledge over the long-term.
Since the beginning of the 2011 school year, HTS, a K-12 independent day school in Richmond Hill, Ontario, has been using iPads in the classroom with exciting results. The project has examined the iPad’s efficacy as a learning tool for students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 and the impact on dialogue between students and teachers. Additionally, it has evaluated the differences in student performance in projects normally studied with more traditional learning tools.
How HTS Embraces Technology
Because of the success of the program, HTS has made the decision to expand the usage of iPads in the 2012/2013 school year. From September 2012, the HTS new 1:1 iPad initiative will mean that all Grade 7 and 8 students will have an iPad of their own, which they will use throughout their classes. The decision to move to a 1:1 program was taken first and foremost to enhance student learning. A 1:1 environment helps standardize the “learning environment” between home and school and makes greater use of multimedia and interactive learning materials possible. It also supports independent learning, enabling students to find audiences for their work, to solve problems together, and better prepare them for the challenges and opportunities presented in the modern world. Not to be left out, from September 2012, students from JK through Grade 6 will use iPads in the classroom too, with the difference that they will be school-purchased and maintained.
Providing students with access to the world’s knowledge, these low-cost tablets are ushering-in big changes for schools across the country. At HTS, we are excited about how the learning environment continues to evolve as iPads and other innovative technologies are integrated into the curriculum for students of all ages.
Welcome to the 21st century!
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How does your school embrace technology? Do you believe this technology is helping or hindering students? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
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