Activity 7: Tablet devices in the classroom

As part of the whole change of society within Science and Technology, I believe that tablets are the new creative devices made to develop better citizens.

Tablets therefore, allow teachers to cater for the different learning styles and abilities within the learning environment. The teacher's workload also decreases as students become more responsible for their own learning. As a result, teachers can focus on actually evaluating learning, than on how to deliver instruction.

There are some persons who even believe that sooner or later technology will take over human resource, but it needs to be understood that men are still needed to create the various applications to be used.

Some main concerns of using tablets are: it is considered a problem in relation to students actual handwriting being altered; it has limited memory and ports; and it is unable to use Microsoft applications.

However, tablets are:

Best way to show textbooks
Touch-screen technology
Lightweight, manageable, have longer battery life
Use multiple apps, including cloud apps
Easier way to share information using the various tools
Low-cost device


From our Wiki, the following are some of the ways how tablets may be used by students:

• To take virtual field trips
• Spell various words using ABC Magnetic Alphabet app
• To collaborate with each other
• Take notes, etc.

Activity 6: One-to-one learning with ICT

What are the issues related to one-to-one learning?

The need for students to know how to think critically, apply knowledge to new situations, analyze information, comprehend new ideas, communicate, collaborate, solve problems, and make decisions using computer technology.

According to Lessons Learned About Providing Laptops for All Students, a report by the Education Development Center (EDC), “One-to-one computing environments are different from what one traditionally finds in most school settings because they offer all students and teachers continuous access to a wide range of software, electronic documents, the Internet, and other digital resources for teaching and learning.”

1:1 computing provides greater access to resources, information, and up-to-date instructional content for more students and families as well as increases student motivation, engagement, interest, organization, and self-directed learning.


What principles of one-to-one learning could the teacher implement in the classroom?

1. Establishing well-defined goals and objectives is one of the most important components in implementing an effective 1:1 computing program. The key is to begin the goal setting process with the focus around student learning, and technology policies, and instructional supports, with learners in mind.
2. Creating an environment in which students use computing devices, such as wireless laptops or tablet pc computers in order to learn anytime and anywhere.
3. Being an educational steward of technology.
4. Participating in continuous Professional Development in ICT.
5. Ensuring that security and security guidelines are established and practiced.

The overall goals of one-to-one learning:

• To improve equity of access to technology
• To improve the quality of learning
• To institute and support best practice in technology integration
• To improve student learning of content
• To institute formative assessments and differentiated instruction
• To increase performance on standardized tests
• To improve student ability to become lifelong learners
• To prepare students for the world of work
• To improve the home-school connection

Activity 5: Interactive whiteboards

There have been many discussions concerning the use of Interactive Whiteboards (IWB's) within the classroom. However, based on the readings provided the main view that was overemphasized was the fact that it is just a new way to still conduct Direct Teacher-Centred teaching. As a result, the question that arose was: Are IWB's worth buying over PC's? Well a few persons have expressed if the finance aspect is looked at and students' interactivity within the classroom, it may be more economical and more teaching effective, to invest in personal computers over one large white 'mouse'.

In my opinion interactive whiteboards, tablets: ipads, ipods; pc's, desktop computers,  etc. are all devices that can be integrated in the teaching and learning process, however it does not mean that they will necessarily increase learning, unless the pedagogy used is appropriate when using each one.

In addition, classroom management: organization of space, time, activities, and materials, will assist with whether or not the students will be interactive in any lesson.