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First Seven iPad-Only 'Steve Jobs Schools' Open in the Netherlands
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Then get rid of Mac Rumors (online forums), Facebook, Twitter, XBOX, Playstation, Online Gaming and most of all Text Messaging after school hours because it's already happening in terms of our youth not relating to the outside world. Schools are at the tail end of the totem pole jumping on the bandwagon, it's not going to make or break the way things are now.
Much of it is, I agree. But the tech in education field is directly linked to less of that too. Virtual Charter schools, more home-schooled kids taking money from districts, online classes that claim to be equivalent, night schools...all of these are expanding as traditional schools are being shut down, teachers fired, and more non-certified staff hired to handle kids (resource officers/security, etc).
I don't think schools are the disaster they're made out to be in the first place, so I'm coming from a different perspective than most. The move to iPads is EASY and seems like a good idea, but it really isn't necessary.
They definitely are coming...this is the future. But kids will hate them, they'll mean more standardized testing, kids will act out more, they'll be a larger and larger licensing fee each year, etc. And the positives? kids might end up better on standardized tests I suppose, but they'll probably stay just as poor.
So, I'm not like iPads=evil, it's just unfortunate that people really think this is a good use of resources.
so, it starts! one day, there will be no schools and teachers, everyone will have their own PC, tablets, etc. which will act as their school.
Maybe things are different in the Netherlands, but here in the US, I don't think kids studying themselves to sleep is a widespread problem.
A backlit device vs. a top lit device? There is likely SOME difference. I'm not saying what way is better. But they are two very different mediums a difference seems more likely than not. Paper you've got to find light to read and iPad you can adjust the brightness and the size of the text (for many/most books).
Do you know how many kids in school need glasses? Not just because of money, but undiagnosed?
I'm revising my above thoughts to say there are benefits to the iPad, I'm not saying it's better for everyone, but I'm sure it's better for some. Personally, the first thing I do when my eyes get tired is crank up the font size, can't do that with a print book.
I actually replied to this to ask about why the stylus is needed for education?
Gary
Perhaps you can play hero here and explain it then. Referencing an earlier article this was said, "There will be no blackboards, chalk or classrooms, homeroom teachers, formal classes, lesson plans, seating charts, pens, teachers teaching from the front of the room, schedules, parent-teacher meetings, grades, recess bells, fixed school days and school vacations. If a child would rather play on his or her iPad instead of learning, it'll be okay. And the children will choose what they wish to learn based on what they happen to be curious about."
So tell me, if you can muster up the time in between assuming what I have read and not read, if a child doesn't have the same interaction that a traditional school will give, how is that beneficial? A meeting with a teacher to set goals and allowing the teacher to serve as a coach is not the same as allowing a teacher to enrich the lives of students. Maybe you had substandard schooling, but I think during my formative years, teachers were invaluable.
This may not be bad, it may not be what I think it is, but to assume I haven't done any reading on it is inane on your part.
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It depends, I suppose. I don't know how parents run things these days but I think social interaction is very important. I've seen the disadvantages first hand and quite recently.
My 2c.
1) I can't read at length on any electronic screen that isn't eInk. It's just too fatiguing.
2) The range of tactile skills employed using an iPad 'tap/swipe/tap/swipe' are tiny compared to using a range of different sized books so motor skills of younger children will suffer under this regime.
3) Reducing discovery of information to the dreaded 'search box' encourages the cut'n'paste world where whatever sits at the top of Google is always true.
4) I'm a huge Steve Jobs fan but I'm not sure this approach will help to develop the increased technological literacy that will benefit future generations. Instead of glitzy iPads hacking around on a Raspberry Pi instead would deliver much more I feel.
On a plus note I like the idea of teachers becoming 'coaches' to learning if kids are free to pursue their own interests. Moving in many homeschool/unschool circles the idea of a teaching profession in the old school way is often redundant, especially in the internet age where information is available like never before.
1) I can't read at length on any electronic screen that isn't eInk. It's just too fatiguing.
2) The range of tactile skills employed using an iPad 'tap/swipe/tap/swipe' are tiny compared to using a range of different sized books so motor skills of younger children will suffer under this regime.
3) Reducing discovery of information to the dreaded 'search box' encourages the cut'n'paste world where whatever sits at the top of Google is always true.
4) I'm a huge Steve Jobs fan but I'm not sure this approach will help to develop the increased technological literacy that will benefit future generations. Instead of glitzy iPads hacking around on a Raspberry Pi instead would deliver much more I feel.
On a plus note I like the idea of teachers becoming 'coaches' to learning if kids are free to pursue their own interests. Moving in many homeschool/unschool circles the idea of a teaching profession in the old school way is often redundant, especially in the internet age where information is available like never before.
Non-linear reading digitally is a little bit more of a hassle. Having multiple (physical) bookmarks in a book as you flip around is pretty weird if you think about it. I'm sure there are some ways to do it digitally that we're just not just to yet.
It definitely needs some improvements!! I'd like a page or dock for the sections I'm currently working with in a book (not just books marks, I might already have dozens of those). Thinking back to text book times: In the same book I had bookmarks, post-its and highlighted notes in my text books; for what I'm currently reading a few pens and fingers marking the pages I'm flipping between. If someone offered all those we'd say it's confusing, but we need something else.
Most of the learning books I can read sequentially, but with some programming books it's been a hassle to flip around, I've been thinking about this lately but the current books marks and highlights aren't enough for me right now.
Gary
Or it isn't. You are making leaps based on scant information including a lack of actual experience with all schools using such materials.
Or they won't and again you are basing this in no real information. Not to mention making huge leaps that are totally not connected. iPads will make kids act out more. Kids act out because they haven't been taught by their parents how to properly behave, are in classrooms where the teachers don't pay attention etc (both if which have been happening for years before even computers)
As for your testing comments, we might not need standardized testing at this point because of being able to test kids as they move along. Which might be good given that the linking of federal funds and those tests can lead to this, this, and this
You "think" as in pulled your opinion out of thin air ....
Stick to whatever it is that you _are_ educated on.
A Dr. You are NOT.
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It's a hero worshipping excuse to give children a degree of responsibility they are ill equipped to handle.
That is one programs definition. Not the entire form. Despite you and several other folks lacking the ability to tell the difference and bashing the whole notion off that slip.
iPads are a tool, just like all other tools. Use the tools well and get good results. Use them poorly and get poor results. Same as decades of book based teaching which hasn't saved the world
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The only thing that might be tacky is the reference to Steve Jobs. It implies that he developed this idea and he didn't. His company developed tools, not decided how they would be used and what would or wouldn't be used with them.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
What's your point? Was she studying textbooks?
Have YOU used textbooks on an iPad? I've used MBA-level textbooks for my classes and honestly, at the current point in time, it provided a crummy experience. I'm back to physical books. I'm not stupid. I'm not technologically illiterate. I just found the drawbacks were greater than the advantages. Over time, I hope textbooks adapt to be more digitally native. I think there certainly are lots of opportunities right now for elementary education, but the process takes time.
Edit: Another point that often goes overlooked. Sometimes I need to have multiple books open at the same time. That's pretty tough on an iPad.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. It saddens me that two kids can be standing in the same room and would rather text each other back and forth than talk face to face. People have more FB friends then they do in their daily lives that they see face to face.
I was replying to your post because it was sending out the message that schools using iPads will corrupt social interaction with the outside world. My reply was that it's already happening with FB and the like so schools won't be able to stop it at this point by keeping the kids interacting with teachers and physical books.
I shutter to think what the social world will be like 20 years from now.
Yes, I'm going off personal experience and I could be wrong. That said, I stand by:
-iPad's will lead to more standardized testing (electronic tests are cheaper to administer and more profitable for the testing companies) ...you can doubt this all you want, but I'd bet everything on this, it's down right certain to happen.
-They take resources away from schools...both immediately in outlay and down the road in increased licensing fees for textbooks....also an IT staff to support this
-Acting out can mean a lot of things, and I admit this is just supposition. It's based on my hunch that with fewer teachers kids will get more frustrated...could be wrong.
All that said, what are the positives? Reduced book weight? Some kids will benefit from more interactive reading? Both true I suppose, but won't some of the kids be more distracted with the iPad? ....My argument is more with how this will require electronic monitoring... that will mean a more removed teacher-student relationship. For example, and this will be my last point..
-Nationalization/privatization of education. I have no doubt that this will lead to more standardized instruction as curriculum/including regular assignments will be created at a national level and then downloaded on student tablets. This means teachers won't have to put the same time into lesson planning, will naturally feel more distant from material being taught, and simply won't be as good as when they were left to teach themselves. At this point it's just ebooks and some apps, but it's clear to me where this is headed, boring, homogenized, learning brought to you by people of Pearson and Houghton-Miffilin....gaining a bigger and bigger chunk of local money to provide these wonderful services.
The future in education certainly doesn't involve paper.
I mean isn't it obvious? Just look at Minority Report or Oblivion etc.
Our business curriculum is now all iOS here in Japan.
I mean isn't it obvious? Just look at Minority Report or Oblivion etc.
Our business curriculum is now all iOS here in Japan.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
Source?
Yes, most people don't use a stylus on an iPad... because it's not designed to allow stylus use. A stylus works amazingly well on the surface.
I have seen many people using a stylus on an iPad in my MBA classes for taking notes. In fact I even use one on occassion. So a stylus is for note taking... for children it can be for learning to write or learning penmanship. I would love to see Apple encorporate the functionality into the iPad.
Parents have always had a huge responsibility in their children's education, but this seems like it may be shifting the balance too far in their direction. If the child isn't leaving home, that means mom or dad has to be home most of the day for this to succeed.
Further, what about the social impacts? A big part of going to school at younger ages is learning how to interact with peers... will these children never learn how to make friends? Rather, will a significantly higher percentage of them never learn? (There are already loners who go to school everyday but never interact with anyone - I doubt this will change anything for them in that regard.)
Further, what about the social impacts? A big part of going to school at younger ages is learning how to interact with peers... will these children never learn how to make friends? Rather, will a significantly higher percentage of them never learn? (There are already loners who go to school everyday but never interact with anyone - I doubt this will change anything for them in that regard.)
That. Vid. Made. Me. Cringe.
Otherwise, an iPad is a good replacement for textbooks. Not for teachers.
Otherwise, an iPad is a good replacement for textbooks. Not for teachers.
Not bashing. Carrying on a conversation based on what I know and what none of us clearly do not. Instead of assuming, teach. Really. When you are faced with someone willing to learn do not equate what they say to simple bashing. I am far too intelligent to ignore an opportunity to learn. Sad to say, I may stand alone here.