With the latest round of educational funding cuts in many states and student failing/dropout rates still higher than what we’d like to see, needless to say: schools are in serious need of help. K-12 education is being hit the hardest, with countless teacher lay offs and no money available for new supplies being the biggest problems in many schools across the country. With schools desperately looking for ways to scrimp and save on their already limited funding, as well as engage the students in the classroom in order to keep them on the path to post-secondary education, it’s surprising that there haven’t been more schools adding iPads to their classrooms. While there is an upfront cost involved- as with anything in life- there are numerous benefits to be gained from moving past the traditional classroom and welcoming in the classroom of the future. The following are just four of the many advantages of using iPads in K-12 classrooms.
Develop Tech-Savvy Students
In a tech-filled world, forcing students to stick to traditional learning mechanisms such as hard copy dictionaries and handwritten essays is simply impractical. Yes, there are certainly downsides to moving more and more towards technological immersion in classrooms, however; it’s becoming more difficult to engage students who are otherwise more interested in electronic devices and online resources outside of school hours. To keep students interested in learning the material, it’s time for teachers to adapt to the changing world around them.
This will not only provide for an interactive learning environment, but develop more tech-savvy students who will later go into a workforce which requires at least the very basic foundation of tech smarts. Giving them a head start now is crucial to giving them adequate preparation for entering the globalized, technology-obsessed world beyond educational system.
Save Paper
Another major problem we can see happening in schools (as well as the environment) is the waste of paper. These problems can be solved with the iPad. For starters: ebooks. Schools spend thousands (and collectively: millions) of dollars per year on books and textbooks. Some schools have even started requiring that the students purchase their own copies of the books. Why go to so much trouble when students can simply click on a link and download the ebook right onto their iPad before the lesson begins?
What about essays and note-taking? Those can also be replaced by the iPad. Since they already come with a simple notepad program built-in, iPads are useful when it comes to taking notes in class with minimum paper usage. For bigger projects that require more advanced formatting, there is the option of purchasing Pages for the iPads. This will allow the students to complete assignments right at their desk, with no pencil sharpening or loads of paper needed. When they’re done, submitting assignments is just a click away. And with advanced syncing options, there’s no more need for “I left it at home” or “The dog ate my homework” excuses.
Finally, many high schools have begun printing their newspapers online, allowing the journalism students to continue informing the student body on the latest events going around the school without the need for piles of paper and ink to get the message across. With iPads, not only can these students write articles but format and publish their newspapers electronically as well.
Personalized, Multimedia Approach to Learning
Some teachers use audio programs. Others use documentaries and videos. Others use a “learn by doing” approach. Because one size does not fit all, however, it’s important that the needs of every learning style are being met in a classroom environment. The iPad is literally a one-stop-shop for every learning style. For auditory learners, there are free podcasts on iTunes and online radio programs. For visual learners, there are numerous videos online on nearly any subject they want to learn about. For kinesthetic learners, there are interactive apps and educational games online.
For projects, students can compile their information on their iPads in numerous creative outlets: movie making apps, Keynote for presentations, professionally-formatted essays on Pages, audio reports using a recording app, or a combination of them all. With the iPad, there are more options for the students, allowing them to personally engage with the assignments at hand.
No Need for Pricey Computer Upgrades
When it comes to funding, asking schools to spend more money during these rough economic times causes teachers and administrators to rebel, simply because there isn’t much there. Luckily, investing in iPads can save money over time. A simple iPad 16GB with Wi-Fi is all they need for each student, costing much less than a new set of laptops or PCs or Macs for the classroom. Furthermore, because of the iPad’s unique operating system, there is no need for expensive software upgrades. Ultimately, schools would save not only money, but time because iPads are also much faster and require less maintenance than other computers seen in schools today.
Again, these are just four of the countless benefits to be gained from incorporating iPads in the classroom. Not only would schools save money and paper, but improve the performance of their students and prepare them for the “real world” where a thorough grounding in technology is mandatory. It’s a win-win situation for both the schools and the students.
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