iPads in Education

Much is being researched and written already about Apple's new iPad device. They seem to be a great new tool that has the potential to revolutionize learning in the classroom with all ages, as well as with any subject.

Even before reading Barking Robot's post about the latest report by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center titled "Learning: Is there an app for that?" I knew the iPad was a great tool to be used by teachers. Its' portability and extensive capabilities are perfect for classrooms and learning anywhere and everywhere. And it's no doubt that young children are very interested in using technology- just try to get your cell phone away from a toddler....

Looking at the number of educational apps that are available on appSafari suggests that others besides educators have already noted what great learning tools iPads are. Check out Phonemica, The English Dictionary and Thesaurus, or Word Blocks for ESL/EFL students, Go! Word Power for quiz questions that seem right out of the SAT, Stack the States for Geography lessons, and Miniatlas Anatomy for learning about the human body.

Next talk to your school and Ed Tech department about getting iPads available for your students. It makes much more economical sense to outfit your students with one of these Wifi learning tools than the old dinosaur- the desktop computer.

I can see learning taking on a whole new landscape in classrooms with iPads and learning apps, don't you? How would you use them in your classroom? I would be interested in learning.