TO IPAD OR NOT TO IPAD? THAT IS THE QUESTION.

By: Kasey Miller

MY OPINION
As of late there has been a strong push towards the 1:1 iPad craze in schools but as educators we must ask ourselves if this is necessarily right. We should not just go along with what others are doing and follow the latest trend or craze simply because it seems right. I feel very strongly about not implementing 1:1 iPads into elementary schools and only moderately about not implementing them in middle

and high schools.

IPADS IN THE CLASSROOM

Education and 21st century skills Technology is growing exponentially and students have to be taught essential skills such as using PowerPoint, typing efficiently, etc. iPads in the classroom take this to a whole new level, engaging students in a whole new way to prepare them for a world that doesnt even exist yet.

WHY ARE SCHOOLS CHOOSING THEM?

According to Edutopia, schools should incorporate technology in the classroom because that is the direction our society is heading and if the role of school is to produce effective citizens, this would seem imperative.

In a quote from this article "effective tech integration must happen

across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts."

ADVANTAGES
There are a lot of advantages to going 1:1 iPads that people will talk about. I liked how the EmergingEdTech site presented it: 1:1 iPads effect how teachers teach and how the students are expected to

demonstrate their learning

Another advantage of 1:1 is that it is especially convenient for students with disabilities whether it be a physical, cognitive, or emotional impairment Also, with tons of free apps teachers have access to an overwhelming amount of free

textbooks and presentation tools to choose from, its Earth-friendly

DISADVANTAGES
You wont find as much information about the disadvantages of 1:1 classrooms on the internet because the people who are against them probably arent using the internet as much! However, I did find a good deal of information. There is no doubt that there are a lot of advantages of incorporating iPads, however I feel that the disadvantages strongly outweigh the advantages in several ways:

DISADVANTAGES OF 1:1 IPADS

Scores seem to remain the same Less emphasis on essential skills of reading, writing, and math Financial aspects Major health concerns New York Time's is heavy with statistics proving that technology integration is simply a waste and is over done in our classrooms today.

NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE

According to a article called In Classrooms of Future, Stagnant Scores, the author talks about how scores havent improved much by the increase in technology, challenging the research that it helps kids learn. Since 2005, scores in reading and math have stagnated in Kyrene, even as statewide scores have risen. (Kyrene is a school that has

invested time and money to switch to heavy technology)

NEW YORK TIMES CONTINUED

schools are being motivated by a blind faith in technology and an overemphasis on digital skills like using PowerPoint and multimedia tools at the expense of math, reading and writing fundamentals. schools are spending billions on technology, even as they cut budgets and lay off teachers, with little proof that this approach is

improving basic learning.

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DEBATE

According to this website : The history of electronic technologies in schools is fraught with failures. Computers are no exception, and rigorous studies show that it is incredibly

difficult to have positive educational impact with computers. Technology at best

only amplifies the pedagogical capacity of educational systems; it can make good schools better, but it makes bad schools worse. Technology has a huge opportunity cost in the form of more effective nontechnology interventions.

Many good school systems excel without much technology.

HEALTH
Lets not forget about the huge health implications that technology integration has, especially when introduced so young in elementary schools. Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, everyone knows this to be true, and it is starting in children as young as 1st grade! Do you want your 8 year old hunched over an iPad or laptop all day, eyes glued to that screen? We have turned into a society that sits at a computer or tv playing games and surfing social networking sites, instead of being outside and interacting with the real world! Children are less happy because they are no longer content with simplicity. We think that they need flashy lights and cool displays when really children are no different now then I was growing up.

SAY NO TO 1:1
Schools can do just fine with the cheap and easy paper and pen and overhead projector. Technology isnt always a bad thing, but in this case, I fear for the future of our children living in this unhealthy virtual world. Sometimes going back makes sense. In this case, going back to the time before these expensive and inefficient iPads made their way into

your childs classroom makes a whole lot of sense.

SOURCES:
http://www.edutopia.org/ http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/04/why-every-student-should-be-in-a11-classroom/

https://edutechdebate.org/ict-in-schools/there-are-no-technology-shortcuts-togood-education/# http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/technology/technology-in-schoolsfaces-questions-onvalue.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1342980202-

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