iPads Are Advancing Elementary Education in the 21st Century

Technology has always played an integral role in education and continues to change the classroom environment. Teachers use everything from computers to Smart Boards, to make learning more interactive, efficient and accessible. With the popularity of tablets increasing, more and more elementary schools are adopting the popular iPad in the classroom. The iPad has many positive benefits for both students and teachers. As well, the abundance of educational apps is changing the way students grasp new concepts and allow them an infinite amount of opportunities to learn.

The Benefits of Using iPads in Elementary Education Include Increased Mobility

Students being taught a lesson on iPads.

While many people are quick to criticize the use of iPads in elementary education, complaining that they are unsocial or costly, it is important to take note of the amazing things the iPad offers. First, it is important to look at the iPad from a technological perspective to understand all of its competencies and capabilities. The iPad can last (at least) an entire school day on a single charge. It is extremely lightweight and easy to carry around. This characteristic make its more mobile and less straining than heavy textbooks on young elementary school students. The iPad has a multi-touch screen, which creates an interactive experience for students and allows them to experiment while utilizing motor and sensory skills. Also, the screen is very large which makes viewing videos and reading books easy. And finally, the iPad has many settings that enable a teacher to make it adaptable to any student: a zoom feature, over thirty languages, a screen reader and even wireless braille display. Further, a recent article from Yahoo! Finance explains that it is actually more cost effective to replace books with iPads especially since they cut down on the amount of paper and can be purchased from Apple at a group educational rate.

LetterSchool App Teaches Children Handwriting in a Creative Way

Along with the benefits that the iPad offers, it is important to look at the incredibly developed apps that are teaching children and shaping education. Students in elementary school can learn to write out letters using apps on an iPad. One very popular, universal app that is used in many classrooms is called LetterSchool. This app teaches children how to write in a unique and fun way. The letter is first drawn for the child, then the child taps the dots and watches it draw out on the screen. Then, the child traces the letter and ultimately writes the letter himself.

LetterSchool screenshot

The app motivates children through a system that rewards a star for each letter that is correctly written. It is also a fun app for young kids because it is very bright and has images that young children like. For example, to introduce the letter “R”, the app starts by showing a robot and stating “R is for Robot.” The use of this technology is beneficial for the classroom because students can go at their own pace: more advanced students can work ahead, while slower students can take their time. As well, the app corrects the student if the letter is traced wrong. This allows for each student to have his own "digital teacher."

Elementary school teacher Hallie Dunn uses this app in her classroom in the process of teaching her students how to write. While she thinks LetterSchool is a great teaching tool, she does not advocate this as the primary method for teaching students how to write.

 

Solar Walk App Takes Students on a Virtual Tour of the Solar System

Beyond learning how to write, the iPad has the ability to turn students into astronauts. The Solar Walk  app is a 3D solar system where students can examine the various planets through a rocket shop, learn interesting facts about the solar system and go through a time machine to understand the history of space. This app is extremely interactive and is a fun way for students to learn about outer space. Allie Weiss, an elementary school teacher, uses the Solar Walk app in her classroom and finds it to be extremely successful in teaching all of her students about the solar system.

listen to ‘Solar Walk’ on Audioboo

Study Shows That Students’ Math Knowledge Increases Through iPad Games

Motion Math screenshot

While there are many amazing apps out there to help teach
students, it is important to evaluate their effectiveness in teaching children new skills before investing money in theses technologies. A recent study was conducted by University of South Carolina professor Michelle Riconscente to analyze the impact of the Motion Math game on children’s understanding of math. The Motion Math game focuses on placing numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages in the correct order on a number line. The study involved over 120 fifth grade students. These students played the game twenty minutes a day for five days. Results of the study showed that students who played the game had significant increases in test scores for fractions as well as increased confidence with math and an increased liking of math. Further, the game received positive ratings from the children and was something they would want to play again.

Student's ratings of Motion Math.

Looking at the graph on the left, we can see that there was very positive feedback from the children who played the game.  In the study, 78% of participants found the game to be fun. This shows a huge benefit that iPads play in the classroom - the ability to make learning fun. Another benefit of this game is that it is extremely portable. Students can bring the iPad with them anywhere, which allows for learning to occur outside just the four walls of a classroom.

Study Proves That iPad Use Increases Children’s Literacy

Other research has been conducted to understand iPad effectiveness and literacy rates. A study was conducted a few months ago with Kindergartener’s in Auburn, Maine. As a part of the study, iPads were assigned to half of the district’s kindergarten classes for nine weeks. Students were tested before and after iPad implementation in order to assess individual skill level and compare results. The results of the study showed that classes using the iPad outperformed the non-iPad classes in every literacy category. These results can be seen on the graph below, where red represents the students who used iPads and blue represents the students who did not use iPads. The graph shows that the students who used iPads scored higher in each literacy category. 

Comparison of literacy scores for iPad and non-iPad students.

Beyond the intellectual gains, students who used the iPad were also more motivated in the classroom. The iPad is a new technology that students are excited to use since it immediately responds to their touch and each movement. Further, the app is not only engaging and interactive, but supplies immediate feedback to the child. This is a major benefit in the classroom because it allows students to gain feedback without interacting with the teacher, who may not have time to be with each individual student.

Trends in Technology Predict a Future of Digital Education in Schools

With technology becoming an increasingly bigger part of our day to day lives, it seems inevitable that it will play an even larger role in the future of education. Since the time the iPad was introduced, it gradually made its way into more and more schools and classrooms. There are now elementary schools where every student will own an iPad. For example, Farmington school district in Minnesota has a plan to give every student an iPad by the end of the next school year. This could be the start of a trend for all school districts in the United States. If every student is given an iPad, will teachers become obsolete? Dunn weighs in with her thoughts.

While some people see education in the United States going completely digital, it will be unlikely that teachers will become obsolete. Besides for teaching subjects, teachers are also there to teach children life skills. Yes, technology can enhance the traditional education at hand but it definitely cannot replace the value that teachers add. 

Is Anything Really Private Anymore?

In today’s society, our personal information is becoming more and more public each day. Some information, we voluntarily put on display and share with others. Through social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook, we choose to display pictures from our latest vacation, inform people of our latest job offer and list what college we attend. In those instances, we choose to share that information with others. However, there are many other cases in which our information is being exposed without us choosing to share it. Many people do not realize that while they are talking on their cell phones, composing an email or walking outside that there information is being gathered, compiled and stored. Advanced technology and lack of legal restrictions are two major factors contributing to the weakening privacy rights of Americans.

Lack of Privacy and Cell Phones

Today, a cellphone is an item many people cannot live with out. Teenagers use cellphones to keep in touch with friends and maintain their social lives. Parents use cell phones to communicate with their children and schedule appointments. And, businessmen use cell phones as a way to keep in touch outside of the office. With the increased popularity of smart phones, people use cell phones beyond the realms of communication: reading articles, purchasing coffee and retrieving directions. While these technologies seem like a perk and a means of convenience, individuals do not realize the information that is being collected when utilizing these applications. When purchasing a cup of coffee using a smartphone’s Starbucks app, the consumer’s information is being shared over the phone network and transferred to the retail store. The article It’s Tracking Your Every Move and You May Not Even Know, explains exactly how cellphones infringe on our privacy. Telephone companies have the ability to track its users exact location, down to the point of latitude and longitude. We do not even realize that when we are walking around with a cell phone in our pocket, someone is tracking our every move.

Further, cell phone companies monitor call usage, store text message content and know who we make phone calls to. This information becomes a very valuable marketing tool. Not only do the cell phone companies use these facts to cater services to the user, they sell information to other companies. Now, without any permission or knowledge of the consumer, personal information is being given to a foreign, unknown company who will soon begin to target advertisements on the consumer based on this new information.  Our cell phone activities and the information that providers have, which consumers assume to be private, really is not all.

Government Regulations on Privacy

Unfortunately, government is not doing much to help Americans keep personal information private. Government has the access to this information due to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. This law was enacted in 1986 and therefore, does not protect individuals today who use modern technology. This privacy act makes enables service providers to see people’s location from GPS on cell phone, sell personal data to organizations and read/recover text messages. All of this can be done without a warrant The most recent government regulation that has been put into practice relates to GPS tracking. In district courts, judges have made decisions stating that cell phone tracking is unconstitutional. This happened in both Texas and New York. In Texas, the judge ruled that warrantless requests for cell phone data are unconstitutional. And in New York, the judge ruled that a warrant is required before government can gain location access from someone’s cell phone. However, these laws are not enforced in all states and thus, many people’s privacy is still jeopardized. What is even scarier is that people are unaware of all the information that government has access to.  

What should be done?

With changing habits and technologies, it is necessary that government update the legal system to ensure Americans still have privacy. One thing that can be done is legislative reform. The word “privacy” does not appear in the Constitution and thus we do not have a fundamental right to privacy. The article The Eternal Value of Privacy explains why the Constitution does not spell out a privacy right, "a future in which privacy would face constant assault was so alien to the framers of the Constitution that it never occurred to them to call out privacy as an explicit right." However, we must adapt the Constitution to our modern day, technological society. Beyond the Constitution, it is necessary to update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act to include digital communications that individuals engage in today. This would include adding privacy rights for email, mobile phones, cloud computing, etc. to the act.

Another aspect of reform is advocacy. It is important that individuals are made aware of privacy violations and advocate for privacy protection. There are many organizations fighting for privacy reform. One very strong organization is the American Civil Liberties Union. To learn more about privacy issues and taking action, visit their website.

The world is changing and always will be. That is why it is necessary to amend legislation to adapt to modern society. The only way to gain a right to privacy is to go public with our opinions. We must address these issues to the nation and government in hope of a future where our identity and information remains private.

Love Is In the Air... and On the Web

With Valentine’s Day only a week away, love is definitely in the air. It is a day in which couples celebrate love, singles mope with friends and people consume a lot of chocolate. In today’s world, it is easier than ever to find a valentine or a special someone thanks to online dating websites. These websites generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the United States each year. While cyber-dating is something that became popular within the past ten years, the idea has been around much longer than that and has evolved into an extremely successful business which uses personal information to create personal relationships. 

            

The earliest uses of information technology for dating goes back to 1964 and a man named Lewis Altfest. At the World’s Fair in Queens, New York, he came across a display called the Parker Pen Pavilion. At this booth, Altfest filled out a questionnaire, placed it into a smart machine and received a card with contact information in return. He gained a contact for a pen pal with similar interests to his own. This idea, of matching people's information and personalities, inspired Altfest to apply this concept to match making and ultimately develop Project TACT (Technical Automated Compatibility Testing). The business he created charged individuals five dollars and provided them with a match making service and five potential mates. Consumers filled out a lengthy questionnaire and then a computer generated matches based on questionnaire compatibility. At the time, this was a great way to connect people in the same area with one another. Over the years, more and more match making businesses opened up around the country; utilizing technology and algorithms to match people in the hopes of finding love. (To learn more about the history of online dating, check out this article from the New Yorker Looking For Someone. It delves further into the past and present of online dating).

            

The creation of these match-making businesses were not a necessity for society but rather something that made dating easier. As we see today, most of technology isn’t necessary in our lives, but it increases efficiency. Project TACT, along with other businesses of the like, used technology to help individuals find a compatible match. With the rapid growth of technology, the business of match-making has transformed into an extremely profitable industry. Rather than meet someone and hope it works out, technology has enabled individuals to enter information online and with an algorithm, match them to a compatible partner.

            

With the rise and popularity of the Internet, match-making practices took a new form as online dating.  In 1995, one of the first dating websites, Match.com was launched. Just like Project TACT, Match.com relies on questionnaires and advanced technology to match personalities. However, most online dating users prefer to do their own searches for potential partners. People are even willing to pay for love, especially when the statistics are promising. According to a study done my Match.com, 1 in 5 relationships start online (check out the study here if you want to learn more).  Since 1995, hundreds of dating websites have evolved that cater to niche markets and different interests. Jdate is catered toward Jewish singles. BeNaughty targets individuals just looking for a night of fun rather than long-term relationship. Grouper sets up groups of friends and is attractive for people who prefer to socialize in-group settings. The Ashley Madison Agency, sets married people up to have affairs. When it comes to online dating, the sky is the limit.

            

The business of online dating has grown exponentially since it was first introduced. More and more singles are utilizing these websites to find love and I think it is a great use of technology. Dating websites are enabling people to make connections with someone they would have never met before if they had not resorted to using an online tool. Further, it is keeping up with modern society. Today, people are living in a fast-paced world where things are happening so quickly. Online dating creates connections between two people faster than traditionally ways of meeting people such as going to a bar or party. The information is previously given, before even meeting the person which eliminates a whole step in dating. As well, the rise of niche online dating sites makes it easier for minority groups to find partners. Specifically, dating websites geared towards gays and lesbians are helping homosexuals connect and find love within a small community.

            

While I think online dating is a great tool, users need to take caution and be aware of its flaws. This CNN article by Larry Magid, discusses online dating and highlights some of its gray areas. The article explains that many people lie about their age and edit their main picture to make them look better. It is important to be advised that what you see many not be what you get. Further, the article shares a story about an individual on a dating site seeking to find someone who would wire her money. This person had created a false identity and had no intention of looking for love. To ensure security, the article recommends avoiding your first and last name as well as keeping your email address private. As with anything on the web, it is important to keep caution and not give away too much personal information.

            

With online dating, new connections are being made daily and more marriages are created.  People no longer have to leave their home to meet and talk to other people. Rather, they just enter some information and are given potential soul mates. The online dating business is extremely profitable and successful. Through online dating, technology has brought society to new heights… and love to new hearts. 

In GPS We Trust

In today’s world, technology is growing at an exponential pace. Year after year, even day after day, there are new and improved products and software that help to advance society and make everyday lives easier. The rate at which technology is growing is actually quite scary. It used to be so novel to have a color screen cell phone. Now, it is ubiquitous that cell phones have a color screen as well as a camera and email access. With the growing use of web cams, I find it unbelievable that individuals can see each other on video and converse from thousands of miles away. And the fact that my email has advertisements of terms that I recently Googled is crazy.

Currently, the latest trend in technology is Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. When most people hear the word GPS, they think of navigation technology in cars. However, this technology is no longer limited to helping individuals get from point A to point B and it is appearing in more and more consumer products. For example, the Aetrex GPS Shoes look like regular sneakers on the outside but contain GPS technology linked to a website for easy tracking and locating. The target segment for this product is elderly who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s.  The shoes are marketed as a way for care takers and loved ones to keep track of a patient’s movements and ensure safety. Another common product is purchasing GPS software for cell phones. This software is favorable among parents with teenage children who want to know their child's whereabouts late at night to ensure safety and security.

This technology can be very beneficial for society if used in the right way. In some situations, it can be extremely violating. Using GPS trackers on cars without warrant or notice, breaches on people’s privacy. However, tracking someone’s vehicle that may be a drug dealer under warrant, shows how helpful this technology can be. Another area to look at in regards to GPS is the Internet. Personal information is exposed through Google searches as well as emails. This information is mainly used for businesses to enhance and provide more specific marketing. While some people find this controversial, I think this is helping to shape our society in many ways. First, it helps businesses earn profits through more effective advertising methods. And secondly, the information is used to provide users with a more customized and relevant experience.

As mentioned earlier, another trend is for parents to use GPS tracking devices on their teenagers cell phones and in their cars. Parents find security in knowing they have the ability to, at any moment, know the location of their child. Thinking back to when I was a teenager, I would definitely not want my parents to have any GPS technology on me. I think it takes away liberties and eliminates trust in a parent child relationship. However, the article Do You Know WhereYour Kids Are? GPS Tracking for Children, explains the best way to implement the technology with children and show it in a positive light. The article recommends emphasizing that the technology is being used for safety and suggests the parent make it evident that there is trust. As well, the article states the GPS should act like more of an emergency plan rather than something that is constantly being watched. One point I found very interesting in the article was the notion that GPS technology cannot replace parenting. Many parents buy this technology and think it makes them a better parent. However, it is important to not let technology take over and still have open communication with children.