Blog Post 2: Handheld Devices

           In Jennifer Tonn’s article “A Foray into the iPad World,” she discusses the learning benefits as well as the precautions that teachers should consider when using iPads in the classroom.  While the author acknowledges that some believe using iPads in the classroom will cause children to rely upon technology, she argues that “technology is so prevalent in mainstream society today and its importance will continue to grow in the future”  (Tonn, 2013, p. 20).  However, she cautions teachers on the use of this resource.  The author claims that “it isn’t the iPad we want in our classrooms; it is our students’ learning and growth” (Tonn, 2013, p. 20).  This resource should be used as a tool to enhance the learning process. 

Another key point brought about in this article was that the use of iPads allows the students to explore creativity and collaborate with others.  Tonn (2013) reflects on her own experiences with iPads in her kindergarten classroom and claims that as the students learned different ways to use this tool, they began to develop a “desire to create and share their creations” (p. 22).  She also began to see students helping their peers when they were unable to access certain apps rather than seeking assistance from her.  Tonn (2013) concluded that while “[teachers] often don’t consider students more capable than [themselves], especially five year-olds” she quickly realized the falsity of this statement as her students began to help her (p. 21).

The last key point addressed in this article is the need to allow younger students time to play with the iPads.  In her personal experience with incorporating iPads into the classroom, Tonn worried that she was allowing her kindergarten students too much free time with the iPads.  However, this reflection caused her to re-examine the benefits of this playtime.  Tonn (2013) claims that “play [time] gives [students] a chance to learn to interact with others, learn to share and take turns, and to learn concepts through their play” (p. 22).  Providing students with the opportunity to use iPads during playtime helps to further extend their learning and collaboration with one another.

As a future librarian, I plan to use iPads to help increase and extend the learning that takes place in the library and classrooms.  This device will aid in creating innovative ways to hold book discussions, research information, build/practice retelling and comprehension skills and so much more.  I also aim to use iPads as a way to create scavenger hunts at the beginning of each school year to help students learn more about the library and its resources.  Handheld devices such as iPads are simply a way to increase the learning that takes place within education.  Creating and discovering new ways to incorporate this technology is essential for 21^st century learners.

Reference

Tonn, J.  (2013). A foray into the ipad world. Early Childhood Education, 41(1), 19-24.