I found this very interesting article about using iPads as a way to assess students in the classroom. I thought this method would be great for every classroom to adopt because it opens up many oppurtunities for the students, teachers, and parents. The benefit is twofold because it connects with the student's interests but also allows the teachers to collect a different type of data quickly. Also, it allows the teachers and students internet mobility because computer devices are not only located in the computer room. The article mentions being able to monitor how the student answers question after they have finished the assessment. This is an amazing tool to have as a teacher because you are able to watch the thinking process of the students and see where issues may arise during the testing. Students will probably more active in their learning because using the iPad breaks away from the usual pencil and paper approach to assessment. Students can express themselves and their answers with ease and can use their knowledge in a different approach.
I would assume that many students would succeed because of the departure from the usual assessment modes. Students can interact with the material rather than regurgitate information. With the endless options offered through the App Store, teachers are able to use their authority to choose what apps work for their content. Some teachers have even begun using the devices to interact with the real world. For example, Christopher Dede suggests using the devices on "... school grounds and use them to identify plants or trees, or students in a history class could use the GPS capabilities on their mobile devices to lead them to sites of historical importance". The opportunity for learning are endless and it is really exciting for us as future teachers to be able to come into an environment that truly values technology and the incorporation in the classroom.
Take a look at this REALLY cool project embracing technology, iPads, and the traditional research project. I will dream of having this project in my curriculum!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnWAhFcDPrY&feature=related
Katie,
ReplyDeleteThis article was really interesting. I think that the integration of Apple iPads into the classroom has many effective abilities to help in student assessment and retention of the content they are learning. The video was also a nice touch because it complimented the ideas in the article really well. Students in the video benefited immensely from technology aids in this sense because they were unaware of how much writing was still being done, just without the traditional method of paper and pencils. I would love to try exercises like this with my students one day. This type of learning activity seem to also be very reflexive of unique and separate individuality within students. I feel that students would be able to do similar activities in Performing Arts as well as Language Arts classrooms in that they can draft scripts based on literary elements and novels read then act them out in a similar digital documentary form. The introduction of this technology is a progressive type of education that changes the student centered objectives into all different forms and allows learning to change as students are internalizing content. Nice job.
Katie,
ReplyDeleteI think that incorporating the newest of technologies can be nothing but beneficial. As they are further developed, students minds are developing simultaneously. It's almost as if they are meant to be used together. The iPad is one of these current technologies that students know everything about so I believe that teachers should take advantage their student's well developed skills with these devices. Using the iPad for assessment is clearly useful based on the findings in this article. The integration of modern technology in the class room with makes learning that much more enjoyable and lets face it, what student wouldn't want to make use of an iPad in school?
Katie,
ReplyDeleteI love this article! Take a look at my blog, I just posted a link to a video that talks about the top ten reasons why we should incorporate technology into our classrooms. The reason you mentioned above about it being twofold is definitely one of the reasons why we should use technology in our classrooms is because we can increase interest level which in turn will increase motivation for the students. By introducing a modern technology we are also relating to the students. In these ways, the iPad increases learning potential for students, and can serve as a great teaching tool.