After having observed my nephew using the iPad to read interactive books (his favorite is Thomas and Friends), I can tell you that I have huge enthusiasm for the future of iPad learning. Now, a recent study shows that the iPad actually raises the literacy scores of kindergartners, report Jim Dalrymple of The Loop.
Dalrymple spoke to Mike Muir, the head of the Auburn School Department’s Multiple Pathways program, which investigates alternative teaching methods. He was enthusiastic about the way that the iPad had helped its students, but said that focus and training were necessary.
“The objective has to be learning, not just getting the technology out there,” said Muir. “We are paying attention to app selection and focused on continuous improvement — we aren’t just handing equipment to teachers.”
The study randomly assigned half of the 16 kindergarten classes in the district iPads to use for 9 weeks. Each of the 266 students, were tested before and after the iPad introduction. According to the results, every class that had iPads outperformed the non-iPad classrooms in every literacy measure.
This is a great start and its nice to see that some of the forward-thinking applications of iPads to learning that educators like Fraser Speirs have been advocating are getting applied in regular schools, and showing positive results.
Sue Dorris, the Principal at one of the schools in the district, said that “We are seeing high levels of student motivation, engagement and learning in the iPad classrooms.”
Technology isn’t always the answer to helping students to learn better, or more efficiently. But sometimes, when the technology is simple and effective, it can be worth it. Lets hope we see more iPad-friendly classrooms in the future.
We couldn't agree more that introducing the iPad (and technology as a whole) into the classroom can have a positive impact on students. And while there are concerns about the financial realities of wide-spread iPad adoption in the education system (see this infographic: "iPads vs. Text-Books, crunching the numbers: http://mashable.com/2012/02/10/ipad-textbooks-infographic/), anyone who doubts the efficacy of technology in the classroom hasn't seen it in action.
At Wilson, we've developed educational iPad games and have been continuously impressed at both the students' levels of engagement and retention of information after the fact (see a brief video case study here:http://www.wilsonrms.com/2011/11/making-money-management-fun/).
We've also worked with educators who are pioneering technology in the classroom, and have no shortage of stories of how the right use of technology, paired with smart and enthusiastic instructors, can enhance the learning experience.
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LikeYou could have wrote the same article by using "tablet" instead of "iPad", it would have sounded less like PR or advertorial.
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LikeSo, a few things about this:
1. Grammar errors in an article about literacy? El-oh-el.
2. Where are the actual study data? Apple has been pumping lots of money into studies that validate iPad learning. They're doing a great job of stealing big pharma's model.
3. Interactive storybooks? Sounds to me like the iPad reads to the child in the same manner a motivated caring parent would. Are we really too lazy to read to our kids?
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LikeNot the most convincing thing in the world when an article about literacy has grammatical errors. Proofread if you want to sound credible.
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LikeI'm pretty sure you would get the same effect if you gave one group $500 worth of good, exciting books. Also, novelty effect.
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LikeCan't say I am surprised. Tablets can be a great resource for being able to help people learn things a lot better. They can also help make learning a little more interactive for us that need that extra medium. http://bit.ly/xFmpwN
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LikeConversation from Facebook
Any tablet will do the trick! You name it.
Beats a textbook in weight alone. Studying seems more effective when it's not studying. Doesn't apply to kindergartners, but having tutored a fifth grader ages ago, flexibility (getting chunks of work done afterschool, on the bus, etc) beats bringing a boat load of homework home for already fatigued parents, for them to then offload it onto high school tutors. Lol.
We think Apple wants every kid to have an Ipad too. It's good for Apple. But what is all this early exposure to digital equipment doing to our physical and mental health? Reading to your own kids is healthier and better for both parties.
My daughter is now 4 and she's been using my ipad more than myself in the past year. Either for "ABC's" or "Numbers" or matching games or interactive books, she loves it and I can assure you that she is learning alot. One thing though, could someone tell Disney (or any other company that makes kids app) that they should remove the ADS all over the free apps? This is for KIDS and it is really annoying. If you don't want to make a real free app, just don't make them or leave it at 2$ and we'll pay for it... Geez!!
How much better?
For sure
Yes!
Debbie Myers if you have something in mind or organizing an event yourself you can contact TNW's Events & Marketing Manager sophie[at!]thenextweb.com
So exciting to hear this, I wish every kindergartener had an iPad, can TNW help coordinate a fund raiser for this?