Podcast Reflection #3: Driving Questions 2011 “iPad in the Classroom”

This episode of Driving Questions includes Kevin Honeycutt speaking with two teachers – one new and one veteran – about their thoughts on the iPad and how it has helped them in their respective classrooms. Both teachers commented on how easy it is to use, no matter how tech-savvy one is, or how much experience they have had. They also discuss how beneficial the iPad is in terms of being able to engage students in immediate learning; kids are motivated by the technology and take great pleasure in using the device. Additionally, they mention how there are numerous apps that a teacher can get in order to assist the specific needs of his or her students. For example, apps can include spelling programs, math enrichment, word definitions, recording devices, etc. I like how the teachers said that the iPad is like a “digital worksheet” – students can start over as need be and teachers can easily assess by viewing immediate results. The one concern that the teachers did point out was the expense of the iPad. They suggest talking about its benefits in staff development meetings and trying to get all teachers to understand what a positive aspect they could be in the classroom…and getting administrators to pay for such tools. I agree that the implementation of the iPad in the classroom would be incredibly valuable. Although I do not own an iPad, I am quite familiar with their tools and firmly believe that they can enhance learning.