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?