Did you say IPad?

So, it's Friday, Its 4th period, and everyone, students, teachers and student teachers all want the week to be done. All that stands in the way is 72 minutes of Unit 4 Biology. Jolly.

But wait, whats that?... in comes Steve Jobs on his high white horse, and everyone's stagnant levels of excitement spike. But does it last?

So as you may have guessed this post is to discuss the use of IPads in classrooms. My current school has them available for some classes and are looking to widen that to a whole school approach. But are they effective?

I'm currently sitting at the back of the aformentioned Biology class, and their initial levels of interest are waining. They realise that behind the glossy facade of this tech marvel is still an educational tidal wave threatening to wipe them out. They start trying to download angrybirds. IPad fail.

That aside, i am still undecided in the whole IPad debate. This school argues that it will revolutionise classrooms, students wont be burdended down carrying around textbooks all day (mind you they still have to buy the text book, then load the CD Program onto their IPad), all the students work will be centralised (and when it is lost, left at home, out of battery, or broken, what happens?), and students will enjoy being involved in class (until the excitement wears off).

So, actually after reading over the previous paragraph, i notice the negative slant in my own writing. Perhaps i am against IPads after all. What is wrong with the the conventional method of teaching with the occasional use of notebooks or laptops in class. Why all this focus on IPads and Apple?

All this seems to be achieving in my eyes is increasing the stock price of Aple shares. With regards to research studies and actual figures regarding the educational sucess of IPads, i know little, and as i said, its Friday afternon, so i have no intent to look into it further. All i can go on is how my students have reacted to and performed with IPads, and well, im generally not a fan. But hey, maybe i'm not doing it right?

Thanks fo reading,

A.