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.