07+Learning+with+Tablets

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Tablets device is a wireless, portable personal computer with a touch screen interface. It is typically smaller than a note book computer but larger than a smart phone. Some examples of tablets device used in many schools in the USA are Apple iPad, Android Tablets, ItunesU, and IBook. The growth in tablets use has motivated many schools to find ways to integrate the device inside the classroom – with the goal of offering students the greatest technological advantages in preparation for higher education and the world of work. Sooner than we think the tablets may become an essential component to schools (replacing text books). As the tablets are used instead of the net-books/laptops teachers will once again have to reorder their strategies to include the tablets in their teaching and learning activities. The producers of the tablets are already showing that there are numerous advantages to be derived from the students’ use of the technology in the in the classroom. A few of these are:
 * __ Learning With Tablets __**
 * It enhances inquiry-based learning and other form of active learning as it allows the teacher to put the responsibility of learning into the hands of the students.
 * The tablet enhances learning experience by giving students an in-depth look into subject areas studies; not just for a day but as often as needed.
 * The tablet can be used inside and outside the classroom and can help to motivate students to do their revision “anytime anywhere” as it is very portable.
 * It allows teachers to engage students in a rich technology environment and provide a world of resources for both students and teachers.
 * The pen or stylus type tool aids in the personalization of input adding value to students work.

The tablets are also shown to have the qualities of the laptop as it is also used to create videos and assist students in spelling and reading. Tablets are capable of offering enhanced ebooks featuring images, video and audio. These elements are impossible to include in print or in a standard ebook. By allowing students to highlight text, take notes in the margin and access a dictionary directly within the book itself, tablets are matching (and in some cases, surpassing) everything that a traditional book — print or digital — can offer There are a few disadvantages that researchers have identified with learning with tablets in the classroom. Researchers continue to argue that tablets use, like other ICT devices have not improved students’ performance in any significant way. Teachers in some schools where tablets have been piloted in the USA argue that the use of tablets reduces the use of concrete manipulation such as use of fingers and other physical objects.. Some teachers in schools in high schools in Florida where tablets are used claimed that t the device is harder to use than laptops for some activities such as making graphs or to prepare a type a paper.

__Managing the Tablets in Classroom__


 * Planning**.To manage tablets in the classroom teachers must first plan activities that will challenge students varied academic abilities (Differentiated instruction).


 * Create a culture of good use**. This means that good academic uses by individual students should be praised, but misuses should be acknowledged and effectively dealt with.


 * Monitoring.** Teachers can purchase software to help them manage the use of tablets in the classroom. Software such as TabPilot can help keep students on task. Students can only see teacher-enabled apps. Students will not be able to access other sites than the one that is assigned by the teacher. Teachers should select and remotely distribute apps to students tablets. These should be appropriate to the assigned activities. GoClass is another cloud enabled teaching application for tablets devices. It helps to redefine the boundaries of computing done in the classroom. Xirrus Wireless is yet another classroom management tool that helps to monitor and guide today’s students in the classroom. Advocates of the software state that it works well with Bring Your own device (BYOD) . The software enables the teacher visibility of students’ tablets and affords interaction/collaboration and restricts access to resources that may limit students’ imagination and creativity. That is it limits the sites that students visits.


 * Consider using internet logging software** so you can show kids how the software records logs of all software and websites visited, and their times, as proof of conduct. This is a great deterrent if made obvious to everyone and one or two clear cases are known to everyone.


 * Teach good “note-taking with tablets .** Tablets can make note-taking easier.Therefore, students should be taught the skill of note taking.


 * Manage by Walking Around (MWA)**. Be sure to move around the classroom when teaching, and make note of the use of the laptop computers in class. Highlight the proper behavior and point out where laptop behavior should be modified.

ISSUES RELATING TO THE USE OF TABLETS IN CLASSROOM

Brackon (2012) states that many of the issues teachers faced using tablets in the classroom can be solved through proper training. He feels that the biggest problem is that many teachers are unable to incorporate tablets into their teaching styles. Like any new technology introduced into the classroom teachers need in-service training to be able to use the technology, therefore many teachers are having problems adjusting to the touch screen of tablets devices, and many lack the confidence to use the tablet and as a result object to its use in the classroom. Brackon (2012) believes however that with training teachers can overcome this problem. Also Many teachers do not plan lessons to encourage self directed learning with tablets There is the problem where there is a lack of technicians in schools to deal with tablets that may malfunction or need repairs. Learning with tablets can make learning exciting and filled with fun. They fit into the digital natives lifestyles. The tablets used in the classroom however, requires a wholesale change in some school’s culture, and teachers’ attitude. Schools need to plan so that the devices are accepted and integrated into the classroom to keep abreast with the technological industrial age.

References file:///C:/Documents and Settings/Administrator/My Documents/reflections/tablets-laptops-mobile-in-classrooms-teachers-tips. http://edudemic.com/2012/04/android-classroom/ unews.com/education/high-school/articles/2012/08103/tablets-trump-laptops-in-high-schoolclassroom
 * 1) Technology In School (2012) Tablets, laptops and mobiles in the classroom: top tips from teachers (September 2012)
 * 1) How Androids tablets can fit into your classroom (September 2012 8.30 p.m.)
 * 1) Tablets in the Classroom (September 2012)

Please view this link from Youtube on the use of the tablets in the classroom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnsha5oFCAk&feature=related