Professional Documents
Culture Documents
JaNiesha Gibson
Ms. Veronica Collie
EDLT 301
2 March 2018
Unlike any other computer device that has preceded it, the Tablet PC merges the
versatility and computing power of a notebook computer with the portability and ease of use
offered by a personal digital device (PDA). It is compact enough to carry anywhere, yet large
enough to replace a desktop computer, filing cabinet or any small library, essentially allowing
the user to take the classroom on anywhere. This paper evaluates what a tablet PC allows users to
Using Tablet PCs in the classroom brings education to life. Many highlighted benefits
include the devices’ ease of use, wide range of teaching applications, suitability for personalized
learning, usefulness for demonstrations and small-group teaching activities, the ability to support
interactive and collaborative learning while increasing communication between teachers and
students (Dhir, Gahwaji and Nyman). There are also the multimodal aspects of Tablet PCs and
use for e-reading that support and improve student language and literacy development (Flewitt;
Dhir, Gahwaji and Nyman). For example, a foreign language teacher can use the tablet’s audio
recording elements to record students speaking in a foreign language, play it back and
subsequently instruct them on expression of the language and technique. Word-by-word visual
tracking, animation and audio support offer options for students who struggle with written text
Tablet PCs provide the user with constant access to information and communication that
has been associated with greater autonomy and motivation to learn (Churchill, Fox and King;
Hooft). Essentially, the interactive technology and vast amounts of information at the touch of
one’s fingertips has increased collaboration and motivation, improved the quality of
presentations, and made both teachers and students more creative. Additionally, the access to a
greater variety of resources and types of learning material offer the advantages of developing
student and teacher IT skills and providing a more personalized learning experience where
The use of mobile technology in learning is gradually changing the role of the teacher
(Johansson). Tablet PCs lessens direct transfer between teacher and student, and the teacher
becomes a facilitator and supporter of students in acquiring independent critical research skills
which are extremely vital to effectively participating in today’s global economy. Basically,
teachers have now become “filters” for search engines like Google and Bing guiding students
towards appropriate content rather than prescribing content. These devices could also feasibly
reduce teacher’s workload by providing easy content production and delivery to students while
also allowing for the digital collection and marking of assignments. Authentic benefits included
the ease of organization of notes, lesson plans and other learning materials and reduction in the
use of paper. Students can take tests, quizzes, view handouts and homework assignments right on
Tablet PCs are becoming quite popular among special needs educators (Pellerin; Terrer-
Perez). Since every child learns differently then their individual learning experience should differ
based on their needs. The benefits of Tablet PCs in improving the learning experience for
students with special needs differs across a spectrum of special needs. These include helping
Gibson 3
children with visual impairments learn to read and write (Hayhoe) to improving organization,
social skills and interpersonal communication in autistic children (Sultana and Hayhoe). Using
Tablet PCs in a special needs student learning experience can help focus the student’s attention
and support the improvement of the student’s developmental skills such as metacognition. By
allowing the special needs students to take control of his/her learning through using the Tablet
Although Tablet PCs possess numerous benefits there does exist a few drawbacks.
personal devices such as a Tablet PC can constantly tempt students to chat with friends or play
games, thereby affecting the students’ academic performance. To remediate this classroom
management techniques and software that restrict student access to certain websites and
applications to prevent inappropriate use. Students may also find writing on a Tablet PC quite
difficult when write long text. Thus, assignments which require lengthy writing should be taken
into consideration when planning the lesson. Lastly, the problem of some teachers being unable
to plan for tablet use in the lesson or simply not being sufficiently informed about the technology
before it is introduced. Teachers should be appropriately trained in use of the device, technical
In conclusion, there are many uses for Tablet PCs in the K-12 classroom. Tablets PC can
be used as aids for both students and teachers, are a great way to show textbooks and save paper,
have a variety of educational applications to improve academic performance and are easy to use.
As an educator the Tablet PC will allow for a personalized learning experience for students and
provide differentiated instruction for students of different intelligences, learning styles and
special needs. By using the different applications, the interactive touchscreen, audio and visual
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elements of a Tablet PC the teacher can effective uncover a new dimension of learning for the
students. Many lessons can be created using a Tablet PC from animated to authentic. Students
can learn through educational games apps, writing apps, reading apps, etc. Teachers can present
the lesson through these platforms or simply creative teaching resources for students to
effectively master the learning outcomes. Classrooms are constantly changing and evolving as
learning becomes more technology based and interactive. While there is no substitute for hands-
on classroom learning Tablet PCs can greatly enhance learning experiences for student in and out
the classroom
Prezi Link:
https://prezi.com/view/bL6l0aPKqyXUJZgPrwi1/
Gibson 5
Works Cited
Churchill, Daniel, Bob Fox and Mark King. "Study of Affordances of iPads and Teachers'
Private Theories." International Journal of Information and Education Technology
(2012): 251-254.
Dhir, Amandeep, Nahla Gahwaji and Gote Nyman. "The Role of the iPad in the Hands of the
Learner." Journal of Universal Computer Science (2013): 716-717.
Flewitt, Rosie. Multimodal Perspectives on Early Childhood Literacies. London: SAGE, 2012.
Hayhoe, Simon. "Using an iPAd with a Blind Student: A Case Study at Sharjah Women's
College." Dowling, S, et al. eLearning in Action: Opening up Learning. Abu Dhabi: HCT
Press, 2012.
Hooft, Mark Van't. "'The Potential of Mobile Technologies to Connect Teaching and Learning."
Mouza, Chrystalla and Nancy (Eds.) Lavigne. Emerging Technologies for the Classroom:
Exploration in the Learning Sciences, Instructional Systems and Performance
Technologies. New York : Springer Science & Business Media, 2013. 176-186.
Hutchison, Amy, Beth Beschorner and Denise Schmidt-Crawford. "Exploring the Use of the
iPad for Literacy Learning." The Reading Teacher (2012): 15-23.
Johansson, Sara. "'Pedagogers Adaption av Surfplattor: En Studie av Implementeringen av iPad i
en F-5 skola." Doctoral Thesis. 2012.
Karsenti, Thierry and Aurelien Fievez. The iPad in Education: Uses, Benefits and Challenges. A
Survey of 6,057 Students and 302 Teachers in Quebec, Canada. Preliminary. Montreal:
Library and Archives Canada, 2013.
Pellerin, Martine. "E-inclusion in Early French Immersion Classrooms: Using Digital
Technologies to support inclusive practices that meet the needs of all learners." Canadian
Journal of Education (2013): 44-70.
Sultana, Nafees and Simon Hayhoe. " Assistive Technology for Students with Special Needs."
Dowling, S, et al. Elearning in Action: Redefining Learning. HCT Educational
Technology Series. Abu Dhabi: HCT Press, 2013.
Terrer-Perez, Patricia. Digital Assistive Technology: A Core Skill for OTs Working with
Children. 12 January 2013. OT News.
12th Grade Biology Class Newsletter
February, 2018
Memorable Moments
FOCUS ON
This month we will have a parent volunteer in our February 12th we will begin our new Unit which
class during the day to help us with our lab work. focuses on Genetics.
Mrs. Romer is a geneticist and will assist with our
Genetics labs, so please ensure to welcome her WHAT’S HAPPENING IN BIOLOGY
when she arrives! For additional information on CLASS
the labs see the section entitled What’s We will soon begin a new unit on Genetics.
Happening in Biology Class! Modern genetics began with the work of the
Augustinian friar Gregor Johann Mendel. His
work on pea plants, published in 1866, described
CLASSROOM NEWS what came to be known as Mendelian inheritance.
The week of February 5-9th we will be It is this work that has coined him the “father of
completing our current unit of study, The Cell genetics”. One of the labs we will be completing
with the concentration on Mitosis and Meiosis. involves an online simulation with Drosophilia
Get a head start by checking this link flies. So, check out this activity ahead of time &
http://www.johnkyrk.com/mitosis.html which see how you can manipulate future generations of
will take you through a step by step animation of flies. http://web.mit.edu/star/genetics/index.html
mitosis and meiosis designed by Mr. John Kirk.