iPads and student engagement

I have had the wonderful opportunity to use many technologies in my classroom including Apple iPad. I have had many discussions with many users of the iPad and how they have used it in their class. Up to now I have used it purely as a reinforcer of activities and ideas that we have learnt already. I really didn't enjoy this mostly because I knew students were not getting much benefit from this use of technology. Don't get me wrong....they enjoyed it. Perhaps that is the greatest aspect of using new technologies in the classroom....the engagement of students.

While these activities have their place in the class it is my belief that technology is a great tool for learning but is being greatly misused. Engagement does not equal learning and through all the hot key words that are used in education many educators ,new and experienced, forget this.

For true learning with technology students must be using it to become creative and critical thinkers. Producing their own work rather than solely showcasing other peoples ideas (See generic powerpoint). We all get suckered into using these presentations because they are easy.

It is my goal, that while I am working in a grade 1 class, to try and use the technology available including the iPad to have students become creative, responsible thinkers and users.