IPad Tetrad

My IPad Tetrad:

IPad Tetrad

What it enhances: Ipads enhance the portability of technology. They are smaller than laptops and lighter, making them even more portable. They provide a large number of educational apps that can be used to enrich student learning or for students who need more practice. Students can also download e-books onto the IPad making text more portable. There are a variety of interactive tools that can help students with organization or study skills as well.

What technology does it replace: IPads easily can replace desktop computers with the amount that students can store and access. In some cases they could replace laptop computers, however, students may still find a laptop or netbook to be more ideal for word processing.

What does this technology bring to mind from the past: IPads combine a variety of older, out dated items into one efficient piece of technology such as a walkman/discman for listening to music, a video or still image camera for taking video and still shots, and agenda type books for recording important calendar dates and contact information.

What might replace this technology in the future or what might cause it to occur: In the near future, I could see the IPad being replaced by a tablet that supports Flash (which Apple/IPad do not) which is a widely used programming format on the internet. If someone were to create a tablet that worked more effectively or efficiently, it could replace the IPad as well.

Emerged Technology

Interactive whiteboards have emerged as an alternative to flipcharts and whiteboards or chalkboards and has shaped learning in the classroom. Interactive whiteboards can be used by teachers to present information using text, images, video and sound. They have the ability to captivate the attention of learners who have grown up being exposed to so much technology. Interactive whiteboards can also appeal to a variety of learning styles and can serve as a great tool for meeting the needs of special education students.

Some of the problems with this technology include the learning gap of older teachers or teachers who are more hesitant when it comes to new technology. Training is essential for teachers to be able to use them comfortably and effectively.

Interactive Whiteboard Resources:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/09/12/it-makes-teachers-touchy.html
http://downloads01.smarttech.com/media/research/whitepapers/interactivewhiteboardsanduniversaldesignforlearningjan20.pdf