iPads Support Writing and Reading
Children in primary ages learn basic literacy skills at school and they need visual materials supporting their learning. In this case iPad apps gives teacher’s significant teaching strategies to teach them how to read, write and speak correctly during elementary school.
Bonnstette and VanOverbeke (2012) believed “The elementary classroom builds the basis for the content areas and the future success of students. From writing creative stories to fact mastery in mathematics, apps provide an engaging and interactive platform for learning.” (p. 3429).
Additionally, iPad apps help students to work cooperatively and independently. Gasparini (2011) mentioned that “iPads have also worked great for independent tasks that students could practice (using a variety of Apps for creativity, 3D viewing, searching or simply working with curriculum)”(p. 49) with technology students will get the knowledge and skills faster and easier because technology tools have many diverse and appealing ways for students to learn. McClanahan et al., (2012) said “technologies have come to redefine literacy in school, work and home” (p. 20) and it makes learning seem easier for students.
A large number of people in this generation are spending less time watching television and reading a paper books and more of their time on playing games, texting, using the computer and accessing the Internet. Those devices were essential to engaging students in their learning (Geist, 2011). iPads have many apps that are helpful for students to improve their skills in reading and writing. The educational community should consider using iPads apps as a significant factor for enhancing student learning (Geist, 2011).
Using iPads for learning in the classroom provides improved individual and cooperative learning; its capability allows a variety of functions and multimedia access. Apple has created many educational apps for students, including access to games, pictures, personal web or apps that have been shown effective to learning, in more creative ways; its architecture allows programs to be appropriate with other Apple products, improving sharing and cooperation (Omiterue, 2012).
Furthermore, the most effective characteristic of the iPad is the capability to adapt and produce different contents via their applications (Gasparini, 2011). McCombs and Liu (2011) believed that “understanding the impact of iPad in the delivery of curricula will help educators develop efficient and effective course materials” (p. 522) and this also helps the schools district to know what hardware support and maintenance funding and have a high quality for students and teachers to use it in schools.
Students prefer eBooks and their associated apps for reading because they can change the story or change the characters as they are reading. This motivates students to want to read because they can make the story about themselves; it becomes personal and so is more interesting. They can build their own stories at their own pace and then share their new creation with the rest of the class (Geist, 2011).
iPads applications, help new or struggling readers make more sense of what they are reading, it helps them learn how to correctly pronounce new words, and how to use them correctly in a sentence. One student, diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), used eBook in iPad apps and eReader to improve his reading, wa...
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...usage. The focus on previous surveys have been weighted for math and science students, but the focus of this study will be to investigate teacher perception about how iPad can increase language arts skills and knowledge.
Research Questions
1. What apps are used effectively in the classroom?
2. How are iPads used in the classroom to support writing and reading skills?
3. What are the benefits of using iPads in the classroom?
4. What are the challenges of using iPads in the classroom?
Possible Limitations
iPad technology is relatively new, but Apple has developed many appropriate and interesting apps that can have a positive impact in the classroom. However, the research surrounding these tools is not as extensive as it could be and there is a lack of data about their impact in elementary schools. For this reason, this paper is limited when addressing its usage in the lower grades and there is much more information about their success in the upper grades. The data seems to show that they are an engaging and productive tool for those grades and it is assumed they will be very successful in the lower grades, too, especially as these are true digital natives.
Definition of Terminology
CCSS: Common Core State Standards that meet quality education standards
Apps: Applications; programs for use on mobile devices
AML: Access My Library; online program for reading, related multi-media activities
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; can hinder learning
MMDs: Mobile Media Devices that lets users’ access educational materials from anywhere.
Wi Fi: Wireless; technology that allows an electronic device connect to the Internet without being connected by a cord or other device
Tablets can help improve the way students attain their studies. According to Cam Lincoln “Students who used the iPad version of the textbook scored 20 percent higher on standardized test versus students who learned with traditional textbook”(parag.2).This demonstrates that, students who used the iPad version of the textbook learned more effectively than the students who learned with traditional textbooks. The iPad clearly shows that it can help improved test scores. According to National Association for the Education of Young Children “for children with minimal exposure to technology or limited engli...
In the book “The Shallows” Nicholas Carr really stress how technology is ruining many brains. He believes in the natural ways of learning, the way of learning that drives a person away from technology. What Nicholas Carr fail to realize is that technology is toughening children’s ability to gather information quickly and thoroughly. Nicholas Carr said, “The net’s interactivity gives us powerful new tools for finding information, expressing ourselves, and conversing with others. It also turns us into lab rats. Contently pressing levers to get tiny pellets of social or intellectual nourishment.” This usage of technology by children has claim to be handy in writing skills because children are able to access sites and games that can help their writing performance. Children can also access information and sites about writing that teachers can’t show them. Sites such as “Read&Write,” “iWriteWords,” and “Write About This” (Saxenal 1). “Read&Write” is an app that helps children write letters (Saxena 1). “IWriteWords” helps and teaches children ways to improve handwriting. This app has up to 70 levels that require a child to trace letters both lowercase and uppercase (Saxena 1). “Write About This” is another app that helps with teaching and practicing different writing skills. This writing app is suitable for children of all ages and this app is also geared for children to be creative with their writing style (Saxena 1). Some people
Saine, P. (2012). iPods, iPads, and the SMARTboard: Transforming literacy instruction and student learning. New England Reading Association Journal, 47(2), 74-81.
Tubbs, J. (2007, June 29). Developing reading fluency through an iPod language lab. Retrieved February 10, 2008, from the World Wide Web: http://misterteacher.blogspot.com/2007/06/developing-reading-fluency-through-ipod.html
Tyre, Peg. "Are IPads and Other Classroom Gadgets Really Helping Kids Learn?"TakePart. N.p., 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
devices in almost every classroom. Technology enhances learning, boosts confidence, and eliminates geographical limitations. Technology enriches learning by being able to come in different forms and do different things. "For lessons traditionally done with a paper and pencil, we now were able to do them in color, with animation, and with more depth and complexity"(McCollum). Teachers are now able to help stu...
In conclusion, iPads are detrimental to young children's social skills; cause harm to balance, posture, muscle development and fine motor skills; are liable to cause an addiction in younger children; and slow down the ability to process words and sounds as well as limiting vocabulary. These reasons are concrete proof that children up to the age of seven should not be using devices in a one-on-one environment for the six hours daily that they are at school. As a country, do we want to have our younger generation being dependent on their smartphones, tablets, and internet; or do we want strong leaders who can think for themselves? The choice is yours New Zealand.
People are convinced that technology is an effective tool that will further learning. This can be true, but when you use tablets
...ating technology provides students with opportunities to succeed in reading and writing. As an educator, and possibly a future literacy educator it is vital to teach students that learning is not something that only happens in school. Learning will happen every day for as long as one lives. Learning happens at school, at home, at a sporting event, at the mall, or on the computer. Learning happens everywhere. It is also important to teach students reading is everywhere and it will follow them the rest of their life. As educators, we need to help students enjoy reading and develop a love for it that will last forever. It is our role to therefore provide the best instruction possible and use assessment that allows children to succeed. Most importantly, as life long learners ourselves, we need to strive to make sure that our students become and stay life long learners.
The first primary goal of this project was to determine student self efficacy with the use of a school issued iPad as a learning tool. An quantitative survey was developed using the constructs of Albert Bandura’s (1993) study of Perceived Self Efficacy in Cognitive Development and Functioning. Those constructs were made up of four categories of self efficacy: Mastery experience, Social persuasion, Psychological state, and Vicarious experience. This project also wanted to determine if there was a relationship with student self efficacy with an iPad and the student’s learning outcome.
Learners’ satisfaction and results of the project are shown through interviews and surveys. Teachers say that the apps were a studying tool and that learners used numbers and phonics more confidently. Insightful results in independent test show good academic results. Results show improved scores.
Technology has rapidly changed over the years and has expanded our infrastructure greatly. In particular, as technology advances the education system adapts to the many changes. The world of technology brings about many new improvements and shows no sign of slowing down. Many people spend their day to day lives utilizing the great aspects of technology doing almost anything imaginable. Through technology teachers and students can connect and expound upon the many fields of education. Technology is an ever growing aid in education that has increased awareness, communication, and accessibility. How is technology shaping education? The uses of mobile devices and applications have shown a great influence in the education system.
Higgins, Josh. “More Schools use Cell Phones as Learning Tools.” USA Today. N.p., 7 Aug. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
As more people began to access the Internet through smart phones and tablets rather than laptops and computers, it is not a surprise that they would also want to transform the American education system by bringing tablets into classrooms. In fact, a few schools around the country have already replaced textbooks with tablets and have seen improvements in students’ standardized test scores. Using tablets instead of textbooks is not only convenient and helpful, but it can also reduce the amount of paper wastes in school. However, it is not a good idea to completely transform textbooks with tablets with the current technology, for it can not only be damaging to the environment and costly to set up, but also might not be effective in improving K-12 education in the long run.
In today’s world, people are no longer confined to reading print books. Many people are embracing the digital world they live in by accessing reading materials through electronic devices. Over the last couple of years, e-reading capabilities have shifted to become available through devices like smart phones, tablets, computers, and e-book readers. While many individuals have noted the physical differences between reading print versus reading electronically, few have studied if the use of e-readers alters the manner in which material is read. Without the consideration of these effects, many schools have begun using electronic reading devices in the classroom as a substitute for print books. Therefore, it is important that the effects of e-reader usage on their ability to understand or comprehend literature be studied, in order to afford today’s children, the internet generation, the best opportunities for success in literacy.