Video Summary:
Westlake High School is making a high tech investment by purchasing iPads for their Junior and Senior students. They will participate in a wifi pilot program where students will utilize these iPads not only in the classroom to do homework, read books, or do research, but also on the football field to improve their band techniques by interactive learning. The district passed a bond issue to pay for new technology. This money was not from the district budget or teachers’ salaries but voter passed bond money. Due to the iPads portability, long battery life, numerous applications, and textbooks available it was an easy decision for administrators to decide that this is what the bond money would be used for. Students will have no excuses for not knowing what the assignments are, since teachers are now available twenty-four seven.
Assess:
This video was published at the beginning of the current school year in August of 2011. The news caster and administrator gave clear information on how the iPads were purchased and the numerous possibilities that students can benefit from having them. It also showcases how the students feel about getting this new technology and how they feel they will grow as students by having this opportunity.
Reflection:
I thought this video gave viewers multiple points of view as to why iPads can benefit students in and out of the classroom. It gave a clear concept of what options are available for any school district to possibly get these for their students. I felt that administrators were well educated on technological devices that were available for them to use the bond money for, but due to the increasing flexibility the iPad was the top choice to fit the individual needs of their students.
Work Cited: RichardColosiMedia on Jun 30, 2011
Work Cited :Tchekmedyian, Alene. "ISchool: A Closer Look at Manhattan Beach Unified's IPad Pilot Program." Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach News - Easy Reader. Easy Reader News, 16 Feb. 2012. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. Article Summary:
43 Manhattan Beach, CA Unified School District teachers received the opportunity to try a $500,000 iPad pilot program, which began this past fall. A quarter of the pilot costs are grant funded, while the majority is supported by the district. The district purchased 560 student iPads, along with iPads for pilot teachers and administrators. The 32 gigabyte iPads cost around $700 each. These iPads are utilized in the subjects of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies, along with 27 elementary schools teachers in the district utilizing them for early childhood and fundamental learning. Students utilize iPads in their curriculum two to three times a week, for periods totaling 30-90minutes.
For some it may be hard to visualize considering this has great potential to change how a classroom looks. With iPad technology, classrooms will be changing. No longer will students focus on the “three R’s” – reading, writing and arithmetic, but find their focus changing to the “four C’s” which are communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. The four C’s have to ability to move students to the forefront of becoming active participants in a global community. Many believe that technology is the future of teaching and will help students prepare for higher education and the workforce. There is still the debate about spending district funds for iPads in a weak economy. The combination of rich graphics, an intuitive touch screen, and lightning-fast processing speed is bringing educational technology to new levels of student engagement with limitless possibilities and hopefully changing the minds of those critics.
Other school districts don’t feel the same as Manhattan Beach. Critics believe that administrators are seduced by the “latest and greatest,” and are too quick to implement technology in the classroom. No matter what your stand is on iPads. Nationwide, schools are embracing iPads in the classroom. As for Manhattan Beach, their test scores increased as well as percentage scores compared from the previous year. Elementary students thought that the iPads made class more engaging, and teachers also felt iPads gave them the opportunity to work closer with those students that needed more assistance.
In conclusion, schools will have to weigh their options on what will be most beneficial for the students. As for Manhattan Beach this is a program that will continue to grow in their district. No matter what administrators Nationwide choose to do, iPad technology cannot reach its full capabilities without educated and motivated teachers to guide their students.
Assess:
Easy Reader is a independent online news site that covers Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. Alene Tchekmedyian article iSchool: a closer look at Manhattan Beach Unified’s iPad pilot program is a voice to the community and nation as to what and how iPads are changing their school districts. They are setting a course for others to follow. Alene Tchekmedyian has written several articles for this community. Tchekmedyian seems to be well versed in the communities’ needs and interests.
Reflection:
I found this article to be informative and innovative. While passion is unquestionably a component to scaling a new technology, all this excitement doesn't just come out of the box when a new iPad is opened. There is a lot a teacher has to do. You can’t just expect to hand a student an iPad and them to know the capabilities that surround them. With teacher guidance students with their iPads will be able to use the device for all their school assignments. Such as creating their own online books, complete with student-generated text and images along with links to external sites, photos and videos, research, homework, blogging, and reading assignments. Then students can publish their work online so that parents, fellow students and their peers around the world can see it too. iPads can translate the enthusiasm into a meaningful and measurable impact on student success. I think that in the near future many school districts will find themselves gravitating to iPad technology just as Manhattan Beach has, and will find the benefits will justify the costs. Especially now that major textbook publishers are beginning to develop full textbooks specifically for the iPads.
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