Tablets and I Pads vs. Traditional Classroom Materials
Many of the educational systems have began to use electronic devices, such as tablets and I Pads, in their classrooms. Teachers seem to enjoy using these devices and so do students, but how beneficial can these devices be? Compared with traditional classroom materials such as paper, pencils, and textbooks, I Pads and tablets have many advantages.
Economics
A classroom set of I Pads or tablets might initially be expensive but will eventually be cheaper for a few reasons. One textbooks are pretty expensive and the electronic devices are capable of storing many digital textbooks that cost less than paperback or hardback copies. This will save the school money by cutting back on textbooks costs per student. The devices will also save the students money because they will no longer need folder, notebooks, binders, and organizers that are full of sheets of paper. Everything can be typed on the device or typed on the computer and transferred to the device and organized on the device without any need for paper. Unless the teacher wanted the students' assignments printed out and turned in, the students could send their assignments through email or some other online method that does not require the use of paper. Paper, pencils, and pens are some of the supplies that students usually have to buy before the start of the school year that would be unnecessary with the all time use of a electronic device.
Environment
Since the I Pads and tablets do not require the use of paper, the environment benefits because trees do not have to be cut down. The production of paper generates pollution from the factory that affects our atmosphere and the environment around us and if all schools stopped using paper this would help our air become cleaner. Another positive to not using paper would be less trash buildup. Most of the trash generated from a classroom is sheets of balled up paper. The less waste we produce the better for the environment.
Effectiveness
Not only would the switch to electronic devices for every student be better economically and environmentally, but it would also be a more effective learning tool. Certain apps could be downloaded to give each student extra help and sharpen their skills in certain areas. It would also be a more engaging tool for learning compared to the standard note taking on sheets of paper and lecture. Students could record audio using the device. The possibilities are endless it seems.
For responding to my blog, post your thoughts on the overall use of these devices compared to standard classroom materials. Also list any negatives to using these devices if you think of any.
I recently got an iPad and started using digital textbooks for school instead of buying or renting paperback books. I must say that I love this method. Digital textbooks are much less expensive and can be very helpful to the reader. Students can highlight important notes while reading. These notes can then be accessed all at once. By a simple click of a button, all the highlights in the book will appear on one page. This is much more effective than the traditional highlighting method in paper books. The one and only thing I see that might be negative is how to keep the students from breaking these devices. The iPads are made of glass and will crack if dropped on the floor. Students will have to be very careful when using these devices not to damage them.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to access notes in that manner is a very helpful tool when you are reading a book. I wish I had this technology available to me now. This would benefit me much more than the highlighting I do now in paper books. One solution to the fragility of iPads is the use of protective cases. I know this would take more money to purchase cases for every one, but since the investment is being made to buy iPads in the first place they might as well spend a little more to insure the longevity of the product.
DeleteAlex this is a wonderful topic and we deal with it daily on the college level and in the general education classroom. On the college level I pads and electronic books help save money. However, in the general education classroom I question the use of electronic devices. The devices are not only expensive, but are sensitive to care and the teenagers I deal with on a daily basis are not that caring. Also, there are students that can bring their own devices to school for school work, but then you have the students that are economically challenged. I think there needs to be a way to find a balance between being totally dependent on technology and being dependent on paper and pencil.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is a major problem for economically challenged schools and students. These students are more likely going to need more instruction on using the devices because their households most likely do not own an iPad or even computers. Without learning how to use these devices at home certain students will farther behind. Also teachers will need to be trained in teaching and using the new technology. The idea of integrating new technology into the classroom does present problems, but it is up to us as educators to find solutions to these problems if new technology is the right way to go, which I believe it is.
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ReplyDeleteryan leeOctober 1, 2013 at 4:27 PM
I agree with Melvia, in that right now the expense right now overrides their effectiveness as a reading and note-taking medium. It is much easier to damage an I pad beyond repair than it is a textbook. Also, I ran across a few studies that indicate difficulty people have with comprehending and absorbing long difficult texts on a computer screen vs. a book (here is an interesting article in "Scientific American" http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=reading-paper-screens). Though the issue is far from settled, I find this possibility troubling. I believe, as a culture, we have made a terrible shift in the way we process information. We are getting very used to quick bits of text and information gleaned from surfing the web, and I believe that to be a detriment when we have to wrestle with a particularly complex or challenging text. It gets us used to getting quick sound bite answers, instead of the slower answers that gradually manifest themselves through contemplation of a long and difficult text. That is not to say technology in the classroom is not needed. Certainly the communications it allows in and out of the classrooms, as well as the wealth of information they can provide are very useful. I'm just not sure they can so easily and completely replace books.