Emerging Technology

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: 

Technology has come a long way in a short time. Emerging technologies include tablet computing, use of games , cloud computing, and mobile technologies to name a few.

The following is an example of a report I composed related to emerging technology. I decided to report of the use of tablet technology in and out of the reading classroom.

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Tablet Computing: Using the IPAD in the Classroom

A Review of the Literature

Teresa P. Cunningham

Media 5400 Section 912

Teresa Michelle Childress

October 6, 2013

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Tablet Computing

A Review of the Literature

Tablet Computing is an emerging technology rapidly finding commonplace in its use in the classrooms. Classrooms are more engaging, collaborative, and differentiated  now more than ever with the use of tablet computing such as the Apple IPAD. Classroom teachers, college professors, administrators, and parents are on board with integrating this technology tool into classroom instruction. The literature seeks to supply the reader with describing the benefits of using the IPAD overall in the classroom and in the higher education environment and specific implications for use with children with disabilities in the classroom environment.

Using the IPAD in Traditional Classrooms

            Many states and school districts have been experimenting with various pilot programs to integrate the IPAD into the classroom environment. There exists great educational interest in the IPAD for use in the classroom. Considering the IPAD is mobile, weighs just over a pound, and has a battery life of at least eight to ten hours it is highly viewed as a very convenient and engaging tool to use with students in the classroom (Quillen, 2011, page 38). Usually educators are somewhat slow adapters of new technology however many already have some type of tablet being used personally and are excited about its use in the classroom (Quillen, 2011, page 39). The Virginia Department of Education began a Beyond Textbook initiative which allowed textbooks to be downloaded on IPADs for student use. Along with this, various gaming and

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Assessments applications were included on the IPAD to further the learning of the textbook reading material (Quillen, 1991, page 39). Teachers were able to differentiate instruction and personalize reading assignments based on proficiency levels, and highlight key vocabulary for students. Applications were used to supplement instruction and reduce the use of paper and pencil activity (Quillen, 1991, page 39).  School administrators also found by using the IPAD to assist in teacher evaluations a positive experience. The availability and mobility of the IPAD device provides touch screen abilities so teacher evaluation rubric s and forms can be completed efficiency and easily throughout the day (Quillen, 1991, page 40).

Using the IPAD in Higher Education

            Seton Hill, a liberal arts university, provided all full time students with an IPAD during the spring 2010 semester. The students and staff were also provided training on the IPAD as well. Seton Hill wanted to create a teaching and learning environment which would go beyond the traditional classroom in both delivery of instruction and interaction of students with professors and peers (Gawelek, Spataro, & Komarny, 2011, page 41). Instant access to information and deepening of creative and critical thinking skills were also key objectives. The university completely revived  its current network by working to ensure a strong campus-wide wireless environment. The faculty at Seton Hill used the IPAD in several areas: immediate and authentic information gathering, instruction and reinforcement, and instructional and student presentations. When using the IPAD for immediate and authentic information gathering, students could pull up information on an art piece while in an art gallery or pull up Google Earth in

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History class. Instruction and reinforcement can be accomplished by using applications on the IPAD for games, small group discussions, vocabulary enhancement, and illustrating concepts taught in class (Gawelek, Spataro, & Komarny, 2011, page 41).  Interactive games to illustrate concepts, pulling and using statistics for project or study, or view podcasts for information provided innovative instructional and student presentaions a great deal of diversity . Students and faculty also decreased the use of paper for syllabi, handouts, assessments, and assigned  readings Gawelek, Spataro, & Komarny, 2011, page 41).

IPAD use for Students with Disabilities

            Students in special needs classrooms have used assistive technology to teach and learn for a number of years. However with the introduction of tablet computing via the IPAD this innovative tool raised the bar on the availability of various applications to assist students with disabilities. Students with autism have positive results in using g the I Pad to communicate. A student with a combination of down syndrome and apraxia  - a disconnect between the brain and mouth which produces jumbled or slow speech found an application called Proloquo2Go to use on the IPAD ( Shah, 2011, page 11).  This application allowed the student to scroll through pictures as well as choose from sentences, phrases, and words often used and the tablet communicates for the student through the use of this application... The IPAD has replaced bulky, expensive forms of assistive technology (Shah, 2011, page 12).

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Summary

Educational technology has many options for students, teachers, professors, administrators, and parents these days. Currently the Johnson County School System provides each child in sixth and ninth grades with an IPAD with textbook applications as well as gaming and assessment applications. Currently I use IPADs in reading instruction and assessments with my students in grades K-3. As the reading teacher at Mountain City Elementary I am responsible for assessing and monitoring reading instruction in the Response to Intervention program.  Using the Reading Eggs program on the computer or IPADS provide mobility and flexibility for all of my classes. I am blessed and very comfortable using this type of emerging technology in my classroom. The students and teachers have such flexibility mobility, less use of paper and pencil, flexibility in applications to assess and use games to instruct and variety to differentiate for all students including special needs students as well.  Tablet computing with IPADs or other tablets afford the traditional and high education classrooms flexibility, mobility and differentiated. Special needs students have more variety and various ways to learn and communicate through tablet computing.

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References

Gawelek, M., Spataro, M., & Komarny, P. ( 2011)  iPAds.Educausereview, 11, 28-30.

Quillen, I. ( 2011) Educators Evaluate Learning Benefits of  iPad, Educationweek, 4, 38-41.

Shah, N. (2011) iPads Becoming Learning Tools for Students with Disbailities, Educationweek,  

      5, 11-12.