Enhancing Classroom Learning with Tablets

         Integrating the use of tablets within the classroom has enormous benefits for teachers and students alike, found one elementary school in Flagstaff, Arizona who recently began using iPads in the classroom. First grade students at Thomas Elementary used their class set of iPads to watch a live feed of animals in their natural habit, conduct research on specific habitats, and create a project featuring their findings. Although most schools feature a computer lab, teachers at Thomas Elementary noted that scheduling sessions for student computer use is difficult because of the amount of classes at a given school. With demands for computer lab use rising, individual classes are not able to attend the labs regularly and therefore cannot as readily participate in certain activities. However, the access and implementation of iPads within the classroom, made accessing applications and activities a daily occurrence. Students were able to daily conduct research on their chosen habitats, while viewing live feeds of those habits, using the applications available on the iPad. Moreover, students were able to culminate their learning experiences into a project using apps like neu.KidsDraw and Sundry Notes.  These applications allowed students to draw their specific habitat and share their research and observation findings. In this regard, students were able to practice and refine writing skills, research skills, technology skills, and science knowledge.

          Tablet use in the classroom provides students with easy and daily access to the latest activities and applications in the education domain. Additionally, it allows students to digitally save their work, thus creating a portfolio of their learning experiences. Moreover, tablets enhance deep learning by providing interactive software that is more engaging than typical paper format actives or textbooks. Another advantage to the implementation of tablets in the classroom is their portability. As wireless devices, they can be used anywhere with a wifi connection. Therefore, if a school has campus-wide wifi, teachers can take their students to different locations on campus to complete work and enhance learning. For example, if students are doing a science lesson on plants, they can go outside with their iPads and view different plants while making notes, finding research, or drawing their observations. 

        Unfortunately, although tablets can positively enhance learning, they are an expense not many schools can afford. Tablets are a luxury item, and with education funds consistently declining, it is unlikely that school districts will begin to provide tablets for classroom use. If a classroom set of a device is not available, teachers cannot expect their students to be able to do a project or activity through that device. Teachers must ensure that all students have equal opportunity, and therefore equal access, to technological devices like tablets. If funding for education increases, tablets should be integrated into classrooms for daily use so that learning is enhanced and students can become more adept at using technology. 

       The integration of tablets within the classroom would meet all NETS-S standards. In terms of the activities from Thomas Elementary, the project and observations meets standard 3 that students "apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information" and standard 1 that students "demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology" (NETS-S). In addition, it also meets NETS-S teacher standards 1 and 2 about effectively designing technology based curriculum and inspiring creative use of technology by students. 


iPad Use in the Classroom: 

Conn, C. (2013, September). Get Deeper Learning with Tablets. Learning & Leading through Technology, 35-37. Retrieved February 12, 2014

NETS-S (2014). In ISTE NETS-S Advancing Learning in the Digital Age. Retrieved February 12, 2014