Tablet Computer Adoption Programs in High SchoolDean McGee and Jeff VanderNoor6.24.13

Introduction

• Technology should support robust and continuous

professional development (Walsh, 2012)

• Laptops, E-readers, notebooks, and tablets

• Technology in the school benefits students and teachers

• Adoption of technology depends on:o Leadership

o School setting

o Technology type

• Tablet computing in the classroom used as a learning tool

(Brnger, 2012)

Tablet Implementation Decision-Making Process

• Common Decisions:o Cost

o Time

o Target group (Valstad, 2010)

• Other Decisionso Operating system

o Security measures

o Supporting infrastructure (Valstad, 2010)

Important Drivers of Decision Making

• Desire to change the pedagogy based on the teaching and

learning methods

• Keeping up to date with technology for teacher and

student efficacy

• Provide students with an equal opportunity to learn (Clark

and Svanaes, 2012)

• Important factor in decision making: Finding like

demographic schools using similar technology

Negatives of Tablet Implementation

• Security of students

• Parents felt insecure (expensive device in the hands of

immature)

• Loss of device, although history does not prove to be true

• Teachers hesitant device would change teaching style

• Teachers concerned about time to adopt effectively (Clark

and Svanaes, 2012)

• Expensive fiscal implications

• Bandwidth issues

• Backup issues

Successful Tablet Implementation in Schools

• Marysville Schoolo Sponsor driven

o Efficiency in time usage

o Access to curriculum and library books

• Monadock Schoolo Pilot testing first

o Testing technology to see what would fit in the right classrooms

o Phases of adoption

o Continual analysis and assessment of what is working

Successful Tablet Implementation in Schools

• Roslyn High Schoolo iPad in two classrooms

o Replace the cost of buying textbooks

o 1100 students were successful in using iPads in their daily

school activities, research and use applications to support

learning

Impact of Tablet Program Adoption

• Design frameworks for schools to ensure successful

teaching practices (Bounds, 2013)

• Student centered instead of teacher centered

• Teacher-student change to communicationo Classroom collaboration

o Outside class (face time)

o Feedback was prompt

o Increased level of excitement

o Easy progress monitoring

o Access to materials was easier

Challenges of Tablet Implementation Programs• Cost is the most significant challenge (Thorsen, 2010)

• Technology being obsolete in such a short timeo Invested in laptops, now to iPads and other tablets

• Software costs are expensive (Loch, 2011)o Communication software between teacher and student expensive

• Devices coming home, risk of damageo Replacement costs high

• Infrastructure costso Internet connection

o Bandwidth (Lazo, 2011)

o Filtering: Complicated software to monitor access and content

Challenges of Tablet Implementation Programs

• Teachers adapt quickly to guide students (Struder, 2007)o Extensive training

• Complicated technology lowers teacher efficacy

• Implementation in phaseso Some students without devices (inequality)

• Some schools no implementation plan existed (Brnger,

2012)

• Little to no research connects tablet computing to increase

academic achievement

TAKEAWAYS!

• Set up technology stakeholder committee (representative)

• Research technology and similar schools using technology

• Test what technology will work for your setting

• Develop a technology implementation plan

• Pilot

• Roll out implementation plan in phases

• Evaluate phases of development for future consideration

Weaknesses and Strengths of Current Research• Weaknesses:

o Limited time in use (3 years maximum)

o Few schools adopt in the classroom setting

o Limited research on impact in schools

o Lack of researchers tackling topic

• Strengths:o Positive evaluation of both teachers and students pre and post

implementation of device

• Interviews • Research focuses widely on challenges from new

technology in schools (Informative)

Summary of Sources

• Clarke, B., & Svanaes, S. (2012) One-to-one Tablets in

Secondary Schools: An Evaluation Study. Retrieved from

http://www.tabletsforschools.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/201

2/12/2011-12-Final-Report.pdfo Feasibility of the secondary schools one-to-one tablets.

o It identifies the stages of program implementation impact of the

program and the challenges.

Summary of Sources

• Harris, M. (Jan 7, 2013). Tablets next phase for high

schools: McClatchy - Tribune Business News. McClatchy -

Tribune Information Services. Washingtono The article reports on the implementation of tablet computer

program

o This was followed by evaluation of the advantages and the

disadvantages of the program.

o It highlights on the issues of concern in the decision making

process.

Summary of Sources

• Bounds, A. (24 Jan 2013). High-tech well before high

school: iPad program expands in Boulder Valley

elementary classrooms: McClatchy - Tribune Business

News . McClatchy - Tribune Information Services.

Washington.o The article discusses the adoption of ipads with the aim of

improving the learning outcome.

o The article highlights the basic requirements for successful

program implementation which include, teacher training,

security and wireless band width expansion.

Summary of Sources

• Donovan, L., Hartley, K., & Struder, N. (2007). Teacher

concerns during initial implementation of aone-to-one

laptop initiative at the middle school level. Journal of

Research on Technology in Education 39(3): 263-286.o Evaluates the major concerns raised by teachers/stakeholders

in the schools on the effect of implementing new technology in

the school.

o Security, major changes in teaching styles and methods, and

impact of technology on the learning

Questions/Comments