iPads In The Classroom...A Win!!!

By now, we all know that technology is becoming more and more important in succeeding in our world. Educators should place their focus on making sure that students are being taught and utilizing 21st Century Skills. 21st Century Skills are fundamental to education and is a valuable learning tool. 

81% of US Teachers think that tablets can help enhance classroom learning

86% of students believe tablets can help them study more efficiently. <---- This is coming from our student's mouths! Our job is to make sure our students are retaining as much as they can and that we are setting them up to be productive citizens in our technology driven the world. 

Looking at these statistics, you should see that if your school district hasn't jumped on the technology train yet, it will be in the very near future. 

The most important job we have as educators is to set our kids up with the best chance possible to succeed in life. It is vital that they are working on mastering their technology skills so that they can compete in today's job market. I've put together a list of ways iPads can enhance our students' learning.

Internet research
The iPad is great for surfing the web and researching topics in or out of the classroom. The Project Gutenburg allows students to download thousands of classic books to be read on any number of free book reader apps available. 

Making videos

Video creation and editing are simple tasks to complete on the iPad. This can be a great group activity to encourage collaboration.

Taking notes during class
The iPad is portable and easy to carry around with books making it the ideal tool to take notes and store all of a teacher’s lecture material. Evernote will help students keep track of their notes and Mendeley will organize their research documents and let them take their research done on their computers with them, wherever they are going. 
Teaching Enhancements

While walking around the classroom and interacting with students, teachers can control their computers from their iPad with the Remote Mouse app. With a simple cable, teachers can use their iPads to present their unique and creative Prezi presentation made on their computer by using the iPad application called Prezi Player. The teacher can control the document by simply pinching, twisting and sliding their fingers across the face of the iPad. 

Live debates and discussion forums
Setting a discussion topic for homework is ideal for encouraging participation from the more nervous members of the class. Students can be encouraged to take part in a live debate for their evening homework using the school virtual learning environment and can be marked on their level of engagement and responses.


Class blogs
The whole class contributing to a blog can be a rewarding experience which allows the students to get their first taste of getting published on the web.


Art classes
The iPad has changed art lessons for good – there are so many fantastic art apps which allow drawing and painting.


Making music
It’s easy and rewarding to make music on the iPad, using a variety of different instruments.


Talking to students from abroad

Particularly useful for language lessons: Skype can be set up so that video conferences can be arranged with schools in other countries. Video penpals allow students from different countries to talk, practice their language skills and share their cultural differences.

Technology has allowed the children who are more nervous in class the opportunity to have a voice.

Education is not just about memorizing facts and vocabulary words, it is about problem solving skills and long-term retention. 18 2nd graders completed PowerPoints about a specific animal and 16/18 remembered more facts about that animal after completing the presentation. It is known that projects enhance long-term memory and can help the student retain knowledge more effectively. 

Image credit: YZ Photography