Journal 9

NETS-T II

Getting, S., & Swainey, K. (2012). First graders with ipads?. Learning &leading with technology, 40(1), 24-27. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading.aspx

Sara Getting and Karin Swainey are first grade teachers who decided to introduce iPads into their classrooms.  The article, “First Graders with iPads?”, explains the benefits and troubles they faced along the way.  They set out to “determine if using iPads would help increase reading achievement with our two lowest reading groups during the 2010-2011 academic year in Minnesota.” (pg. 24)  They found that the benefits far outweighed the risks.

They found that students that usually have undesirable behavior were highly motivated while using this new tool.  This tool provides a new and exciting way to learn.  For example, the first grade teachers used google earth for a lesson on global awareness.  They were able to show the students the regions they were discussing in class.  By seeing the place where dinosaurs used to roam, the students were excitable.  Another example they shared was how they used the Voice Memos app to record students reading.  They would pass the iPads around the classroom so the students would listen and follow along as their peer read.  They would guess who’s voice belonged to who.  It was a great game and a lot learning came from it.

In order to keep the staff aware of how the iPad worked, there were training sessions that offered iPad basic skills.  There were also areas of frustration.  Of course, they couldn’t escape the always changing and never ending technology problems.  Also some apps were very noisy which was distracting for the class. 

Despite some minor problems, the benefits outweighed the problems.  The students were very collaborative.  They naturally offered help to each other with the different apps and improved on their reading.

Question 1: Was there any changes in socialization during recess or free time?

I would think after looking at a computer all day, children would either be more social or less social, I was just wondering which one.  I know I am a little delirious after my eyes have been on the computer for long periods of time.

Question 2: What were the parent views of their first graders going to school to play on iPads?

I have a feeling some parent wouldn’t understand, until they say results, the point of iPads.  Their kids come home and play video games all day, why should they do the same thing at school?