iStudent- digital media devices in the classroom

GRIP PresentationKathleen Roxborough

iStudent

Why focus on iPods/iPhones? Apple® currently has market share

of 87% among teens Apps – over 150 have been

designed for educational purposes Release of iPad in 2010, industry insiders call it “Year of the Mac”

The Millennial Generation Those students born after 1992 Most scheduled generation than ever

before Tend also to be more sheltered Many teachers see students lack of

motivation to learn for its intrinsic benefit…..looking for the carrot

The Millennial Generation Use of cell phones, mp3 players

ubiquitous in teen life Most techno-savvy generation to have

ever existed ‘Requirement’ for instant access to

information Spend 72 hours per week using electronic

media –but not in the classroom Why not???

iBored – the media or the message?

Common question from teachers – how to engage students with the material??

Edutainment – trying everything to get students to buy-in to the lesson

Technology needs to be purposely integrated into lesson NOT simply for novelty or showmanship

iPods during seat work

Should we allow use of iPods during seat work time in the classroom??

Teens on average listen to music 3-4 hours a day – usually while doing homework

Would it be beneficial to allow students to simulate their home-study environment in class?

iPods during seat work

PROS Shown to actually

increase concentration and performance of practice of already learned task

Largest benefits of ‘on-task’ with hyperactive and ‘attention seekers’

CONS Difficult to oversee

content “I can’t hear you”

syndrome Shown to distract

students from novel or new tasks

iPods – as a learning tool

Diagrams, graphs, lecture notes all downloadable from teachers laptop

Podcasting- no excuse for missed work

Educational apps (CNN iReporter, Museums 411)

The future….

The digital classroom? Environmental efforts to eliminate

paper could be enhanced by extinction of text books, note paper, hand-outs etc.

Hopefully…..acknowledging the importance of these devices to students through purposeful use in teaching and learning

The challenges…

Professional development needed to familiarize teachers with use of these devices

How many students actually have these devices? School wide initiatives?

Large initial investment to provide devices to students – of money, and time

The trade off of technology – love it when it works, infuriated when it doesn’t.

Any questions??