The ICT and iPad Pilot

You can download the full article from the linked abstract, which reads:

The iPad in a Classroom: A Cool Personal Item or Simply an Educational Tool?

Authors:
Andrea Gasparini
Alma Leora Culén

Keywords: cool; identity; iPad; education; learning; techno-cools.

Abstract:
In this paper, we discuss the dual role of the iPad among the teenage high school students using the tablet as a 1-1 (one tablet per student) educational tool. On one hand, the iPad is a personal, mobile and cool piece of technology. On the other hand, it is a piece of technology provided by the school and given to students as anytime, anyplace mobile educational tool. Our goal is to understand the space between the use situations related to school work and those that are private and personal. After ten months of observations of the use of the iPad, we conclude with that the iPad is treated by teenage participants in our study as purely educational tool.

It is certainly no more than anecdotal, but this educator has focused on the way he has observed classrooms becoming transformed by the iPad. The particular focus is on the pedagogical change: and that's really the news we want to hear.

This is one of the earliest pieces of research looking at outcomes I've found. A commercial study rather than peer reviewed, it suggests that there are real benefits to the implementationof a one-to-one iPad model. The full report (linked on the page) is certainly worth a read.

Nice option for student assessment tasks, when the LMS is not flexibily enough. Must check it out on the iPad.

Now this is a bit nice: a completely unstructured way of presenting information. I can see timelines, groups of ideas, photos, resources: can we get it attached to Canvas?

I reckon I'll be able to write my own book this time next year, but maybe I'll purcchase a couple of these for the rest of us! I particularly like the point he made about buying too many apps… let's get the basics right first. Evernote to start with, then a word processor, keynote, numbers. That's a pretty good start. Then something for Maths? iMovie perhaps, to do screencasting etc? You could go on, but how often will you use it? But then, how willing are you to allow the technology to transform your classroom?

Another example of an innovative approach to the printing problem. Mind you, I would argue that we need to get rid of the printers altogether, hence the goal of going paperless in 18 months at our place. If we can get a device in the hands of most students, then what case is there for more than a hundred thousand bucks worth of printing costs per year?

This can provoke endless argument. Maybe we should just accept the fact that the 21st Century Educator is the one that teaches 21st Century kids in the way that helps them learn!

If you get the potential of flipped learning, then you will see that the ipad or another one-to-one device is the obvious support mechanism for such a approach. The teacher can provide a lot of direct instruction at a time when the student needs it; he or she is then freed to work closely with individuals or groups on matters that the students have identified as areas of need.

Hard to get your hands on a free copy without access to a research library, but it is a very positive review of the effects of iPads on pedagogy, admittedly at a tertiary level.

Abstract reads:

This article presents faculty perceptions of the first month of iPad deployment in a national college system and a case study describing the integration of mobile learning devices in one college, interpreted within the framework of a SWOT analysis. We include a brief history of the implementation; description of the three-tier structure of infrastructure, pedagogy, and content; faculty perceptions; and pedagogy interview findings. We collected data using 1) case study interviews, 2) a faculty dispositional survey, and 3) iPad lead faculty. Overall, the large-scale deployment of iPad mobile learning devices was associated with high faculty engagement in formal and informal professional development activities and adoption of an active student-centered pedagogy. In addition, the program stimulated innovative approaches to technical challenges; and it spurred development and evaluation of new digital content.

This article won't be easy to find unless you have a subscription or access to a uni library (which I do). Ask if you want a copy – legally! The abstract reads:

Despite the author's initial skepticism, a classroom set of iPads has reinforced a student-directed approach to writing instruction, while also supporting an inclusive classroom. Using the iPads, students guide their writing process with access to the learning management system, electronic information resources, and an online text editor. Students are able to exchange ideas and work collaboratively in an environment that promotes fluency.

This is a blog from CEO Parramatta, which covers a range of resources and ideas. Again, not much in the research area but it certainly shows the incredible richness of the resources out there for iPad educators.

Another great little case study: explaining why we will move to an iOS-based pedagogy.

Great article, and the beauty of this is that the kids will work it out before the teacher. On the other hand, this is one example of overkill – iMovie or one of the other video editors would probably do the whole job. Yes, it costs, but bulk purchase solves much of that kind of issue in a BYOT environment. On the other hand, we need to be reminded that it is not about finding the perfect app – where's the learning in that – but the kids finding a solution to a problem we set them. In the end, it doesn't matter what they use! It's all about the learning.

This is just an amazing idea, based on some very sound and existing technology. Feedback is the key to improving students outcomes and this is such a personal way of doing it. Bravo – and it works in Evernote! Another good case for the shared Evernote Notebook.