What Are Reasons for the Use of iPads in Schools?

These days, having computers in the classroom is the norm, but will tablets and iPads also become the norm? They may be just a trend or they could be improvements for the desktop computer. A tablet is similar to a smartphone that has an increased capacity of computers. This may be a reason why they seem to be gaining popularity because with our increasingly mobile society, speed is surely essential. Additionally, the knowledge of how to download different apps needed to accomplish a task can be considered a survival skill in today's world. Even young children have a chance to collaborate and experiment in unique ways, which they will find useful when they grow up.

This can make for a great opportunity for students to get the expertise and confidence they will need. The reason why every student should "own" their own tablet will enhance how much they use it outside the classroom. There are at least three ways in which tablets are used: as an enhanced way of communicating between the teacher, parent and student, as personal organizers, and as a way of team collaboration. The perfect app for a tablet is the personal organizer because you can carry it with you easily and it retains all the functions of text, internet, music, camera and video.

The live video and multimedia apps improves communication between the student, parents and the teacher and because it is at home, it fits into the parents busy schedules. Teachers are able to communicate with the parents easier and the parents can view the student and their work directly, which takes away the burden for the teacher trying to describe certain behaviors. The portability is the key feature and collaboration is enhanced. When a team member gets some inspiration, they can easily communicate it to other team members who will help build on it. This great enhancement is only found in a tablet.

Educators in Zurich, Switzerland at the Zurich International School are very interested in what students create using their tablets, rather than how it is used in curriculum. Many students use their personal tablet for recording experiences and creating videos. By doing this, students have the opportunity to reflect and come up with new insights on ways to improve. For example, students can watch themselves in gym class and see how they can change their routine for the better. Another bonus that has been freely expressed it its ease of input. Ten years ago, Stanford University's Larry Cuban noted that computers were being "oversold and underused" in the classroom.

A modern day analysis is that teachers at that time did not know enough about computers to make effective use of them. As teachers are teamed with tablets and get proper training in how to use them, they will become very effective tools for teaching. Teachers being well trained is very important in this application, because of the ability to can be frustrating to students to manipulate the sophisticated apps. Students will see great strides forward once the teacher is part of the team that supports reflection and creativity. Students who have been given the appropriate support are able to achieve things they never imagined they could previously.

This really is a wonderful contribution. When the teacher to student ratio is balanced well, and the funds are there to support it, the iPad will make a great resource. I Pads and tablets can be found more often in private schools because teacher training and monetary support has been much more difficult to get in public schools.

Article source: http://eslarticle.com/pub/e-learning-call/111605-What-Are-Reasons-for-the-Use-of-iPads-in-Schools.html