Team+6

=**Advantages and Disadvantages of iPads in the Classroom** = = =

Whether people wish to promote technology, it is undoubtedly changing the way we live, work, and attend school drastically. iPads are one example of the technology that is changing the way we do all of these things and more. Although it is still in the experimental phases, iPads are slowly being introduced into the classroom in an attempt to enhance the school experience and increase education in the classrooms.

=Background =

The iPad is one of many innovations created by Apple Inc. It was first released in April 2010 targeting people who frequently use audio-visual media such as books, movies, periodicals, and music. With the multi-touch technology, the iPad allows for the user to be interactive with the programs for as long as 10 hours solely on the battery life. It has Wi-Fi capabilities enabling the user to surf the web as well as print wirelessly anything from photos to documents. Since its first release, improvements such as a camera have been added to heighten the experience and allow the user to talk with others on a thinner, lighter iPad.

media type="youtube" key="24R1QJAXL4s" height="315" width="560" = = =Apps =

If you are not familiar with the new iPad, apps are the applications or programs that are either on the iPad or can be installed for a fee. There are many different apps that one can download and use for personal and business reasons. If this case, there are many different apps that can be beneficial to students in the classroom.

Language Arts: An example of a useful app would be Shakespeare in Bits: Romeo and Juliet. This app is targeting high school students who struggle to understand the obscure language of Shakespearean times. It gives students a modern translation of the masterpiece as well as picture the story with animated illustrations.

History: Virtual History Roma is an app that shows the students 3D images of monuments in Rome without leaving the classroom. Very helpful for students who are visual learners.

Language Development: Human Japanese HD is an example of an app that promotes learning a different language as well as cultural understanding.

For more example of apps that are useful in a classroom, visit the Apple Inc. website [|here].

=**A List of Advantages and Disadvantages of iPads in the Classroom:** =

__**Advantages of paper books:**__
 * Easily obtainable (through bookstores and libraries)
 * Easily portable (usually fairly small)
 * Don't break easily
 * If you lose it or it breaks it is easily replaced
 * Don’t cause eye strain
 * They are cheap
 * Better for textbooks
 * Better for photo books
 * Don’t need power to function

__**Disadvantages of paper books:**__
 * Can be bulky and heavy
 * Need a light source to read them
 * Notes made in books are permanent
 * No extra features besides text

__**Advantages of iPads:**__
 * Easily readable (zoom, letter resize, etc.)
 * Easily portable (carry hundreds of books at once)
 * Lightweight
 * Environmentally friendly (no trees killed)
 * Note taking quicker, easier, and not permanent
 * Don’t need a light source
 * Delivered instantaneously at any time or day
 * Less storage space
 * Can show links and are searchable
 * Interactive (audio, video, animations, etc.)
 * Printable (ability to print hard copies of documents)
 * Multitasking
 * Camera option

__**Disadvantages of iPads:**__
 * Eye strain and RSI
 * Battery life
 * Software bugs
 * Scratches and spills can ruin them
 * Difficult to choose because of so many options
 * Expensive!
 * Multitasking may equal to lack of focus
 * No full size keyboard
 * Hard to take notes on

__**Why use iPads in classrooms?**__
Looking at the advantages of iPads it is clear to see that they do much more than other electronic devices. iPads can personalize learning for each individual student, which will in turn make learning fun for students of all ages. There is also a large range of educational/teaching apps to keep learning fun and interactive for all students. Using the iPad is also much simpler than using a regular computer or laptop for many reasons. There would be no more trouble logging into applications and programs because each program is specific to each specific iPad. This will in turn create less technological maintenance for teachers to deal with. Also saving files happens automatically on iPads. This is extremely convenient for both teachers and students so there is less work lost and their homework is always saved. However, one of the most important aspects of the iPad is that it is a fun, interesting, new way to keep students engaged and wanting to learn new things.

Barbara Schroeder, Clinical Associate Professor for Educational Technology at Boise State University, created a list of 10 ways iPads can be effectively used in the classroom. The suggestions include the use of periodicals, iTunes, as well as iBooks to enable an interactive media source for students as well as teachers. Click [|here] for the full list and details.

__**Students Perspectives:**__ GOOD - Students said the iPads encouraged exploration of additional course topics, helped them manage their time, provided new functions/tools for learning, increased their learning and made their courses more interesting. Conclude that overall impressions of the iPad were “very favorable” BAD - Some students cited what Angst characterizes as “technical and behavioral challenges”. In the study, more than half the students reported feeling frustrated when highlighting text and taking notes within e-books on the iPad. Another drawback was the fact that multiple “windows” or files couldn’t be kept open, side-by-side, on the iPad, unlike a full-fledged computer. UGLY - Students also indicated that they considered the device, which starts at $499, expensive.

**__Teachers Perspectives:__** GOOD - One teacher at Naselle High School said, "It's still early but looking positive -- it appears that the iPads are exceeding our expectations as a tool to boost academic achievement and create real interest in learning." BAD / UGLY - Kelly Croy says, "Educators are limited to the apps created by the developers. Some are great and some aren't but few are customized with the specific information tailored for our unique lessons."


 * Here is a link that you can visit to learn more about all the new and interesting features of Apple's iPads. This is the Apple website specifically for iPads, with videos, information, and even a way to order them. CLICK HERE to visit the Apple store site in a new window.

__**Authors' Perspectives:**__
Brandon's Perspective - Although I am an English major and inherently favor paper books and old school teaching over iPads, I can clearly see the advantages that these can have in the classroom. At first I was very skeptical of the introduction of these in the classroom but after doing research about them and seeing all the things that they can do my opinion of them changed. If they can be implemented in the classroom effectively i think that the potential they have for increasing learning is insurmountable. There are some downfalls to implementing them in the classroom but with proper teacher training and knowledge these can be effective means of making the classroom more fun, more inclusive, more interesting, and overall a more effective learning place. Without proper knowledge of this technology implementing it into a school could be disastrous, however I am happy that schools are slowly testing the waters on this new and improved "learning device" and are allowing changes and possibly improvements to be made in our classrooms today and in the future.

Ashley's Perspective - Like Brandon, I am a lover of paper-based books. When I first heard about iPads being introduced into classrooms I was a little leery because I felt that our society was becoming too dependant on electronics and the internet. However, after seeing all of the amazing apps available to students my view has completely changed. I hope to be a middle school History teacher and I am hoping to be fortunate enough to use iPads in my classroom. Many students believe that History is boring, however, with the apps available to the iPad, history can now be fun and interactive. After seeing all the good things iPads can do for learning I am much more welcoming of technological advances in education.

Kelly's Perspective- I have seen both the students and teachers benefit from the use of technology such as in a special education classroom. Students with autism would merely touch the iPad for it to make noise and explode bright colors all over the screen. With another app, the screen became a piano keyboard that could all be used with touch. As you can tell I am definitely a promoter of technology, however the lack of funding to certain schools allows the gap of educational value to widen. So although I do believe the iPad helps to enable more learning in a new way, technology comes at a price and unfortunately not all school districts can afford it with their budget.

**References:**
(2011). In //Apple in Education//. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://www.apple.com/education/apps/

Coeus,. (2008). Ebooks Vs. Paper Books: The Pros and Cons. In //Hubpages//. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://coeus.hubpages.com/hub/Ebooks-Versus-Paper-Books-The-Pros-and-Cons

Croy, K. (2011, September 8). Educators Create Content for Mobile Devices. In //Wired Educator//. Retrieved September 17, 2011, from http://www.wirededucator.com/blog/category/ipad/

Crump, M. (2010, March 29). Pros and Cons of the iPad in Education. In //Gigaom//. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://gigaom.com/apple/pros-cons-ipad-education/

Pass, R. (2010, September). iPads Join the EdTech Portfolio at Naselle High School. In //State of Washington Superintendent of Public// //Instruction//. Retrieved September 17, 2011, from http://www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/NaselleiPads.aspx

Sasson, R. (2011). The Benefits and Advantages of Ebooks. In //SuccessConsciousness//. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://www.successconsciousness.com/ebooks_benefits.htm

Schroeder, B. (2010, April 23). In //Technology Teacher//. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://itcboisestate.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/ipad-2/

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2011, September). In //iPad//. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad

Wilson, I. (n.d.). Why Use iPads for Learning?. In //iPads In Education//. Retrieved September 17, 2011, from http://www.ipadineducation.co.uk/iPad_in_Education/Welcome.html

Woyke, E. (2011, January 21). Pros And Cons Of iPads In The Classroom. In //Forbes//. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethwoyke/2011/01/21/pros-and-cons-of-ipads-in-the-classroom/