A class set of iPads? Sounds fun doesn’t it? iPads and tablets do exist in some of the public schools I have worked in or visited, but they were usually meant to assist students with diverse learning needs. iPads are an amazing tool for students who struggle to communicate but that is all I have ever seen them used for. It wasn’t until Sandra McAulay visited our class on Thursday that I realized technology in the classroom is an invaluable tool for ALL students. The best part was that the thing Sandra found most valuable to her students’ learning is something so simple as the camera app. Sandra explained how students in her class have used the cameras on their iPads to demonstrate their learning in unique and creative ways. Not only do students take pictures of their assignments and then air drop the image to Sandra, but they also have access to editing apps where they can create collages and have fun personalizing their learning while still adhering to the criteria. Through technology students are able to own their learning and have fun doing so.
Some examples that Sandra shared of her students’ work included an activity where students were tasked with measuring three rectangular prisms that they found around the school. Students worked in pairs sharing an iPad and went around the school measuring and photographing rectangular prisms. Through an editing app these students then collaged the three pictures together and added the measurements right onto the photos. Students then airdropped these images to Sandra where she could mark them on her own time. Sure this activity could have been done in a worksheet, but this provided a chance for students to work collaboratively with a partner and gave students a chance to show their teacher what they decided to photograph. Not to mention it is much more fun to use an iPad than a pencil and paper.
The final thing that sold me on iPads for all was a story that Sandra shared about a student with diverse needs who struggled to do any work at all. Sandra explained that she gave this student an iPad and showed him how to take a photo of his worksheet and fill it in using one of the apps. This student completed the entire worksheet before the rest of the class and answered every question correctly. When presented with the iPad to complete all other work the student was eager and actively engaging with what he was doing.
Now I know that a class set of iPads is more of a dream than reality, but it is my hope that iPads will become more accessible in schools, allowing ALL students the chance to participate in personalized learning through technology. Be an advocate for iPads and tablets in your school. Whether or not it is a class set or a mobile tablet lab, the value iPads and tablets have towards student learning will sure be noticed. Hopefully meaning more will follow in the future.
This was such a great presentation and I really resonated with this post! I love how there is a push for technology to be accessible to all students, not just those in need. Any student can benefit from these adaptations and its great that we as educators are realizing this! Technology also offers such wide range of personalization in learning and that should be something all students are given the opportunity for! Something as simple as the camera app, and pic collage can change and enhance a learning experience in such a meaningful way!
I’ve a personal bias against Apple products, but I can’t deny the usefulness of iPads in the classroom. Pic Collage might be one of the most underrated apps on iOS and Android.