The dark side of iBooks 2 / Textbooks

[Abazigal]

I have another point I would like to put across. I think we all now that inequality in education is a big problem, a lot of kids in poor areas suffer a great deal more due to lack of funding and proper resources.

How many of you actually think it is feasible to put iPad's into every school? If schools are struggling financially already, how could they possible afford this luxury? Doesn't anyone else think this would only make the split larger?

I can quite easily see all the schools in affluent areas dishing out iPads to the kids, while other children see no such thing.

That's just another point I thought I'd throw into the mix.

I agree, to an extent. I feel it is exactly the poorer areas that ought to put more investment into areas like IT, else the gap between the rich and the poor will only increase. Think about it - the rich kids are going to own PCs, tablets and phones (or at least have exposure to them from their parents), the poorer children possibly won't even have switched on a computer before.

The world is increasingly becoming more wired, and computers playing a more integral part in our lives. I believe that basic IT literacy is essential in every kid's life. The govt can apparently afford to bail out huge banks, but cannot afford funding to schools, or at least maintain their current level?

However, you cannot say that just because these few schools cannot afford ipads, then we cannot roll out this scheme throughout USA. This isn't the fault of the ipad, it is simply symptomatic of the current state of problems. One option would be to lobby harder for more funding, or hope that Apple is able to throw a lifeline to these schools and sell them subsidised (or even free) ipads.

 

[Abazigal]

I am seeing quite a number of advantages to using the ipad in class.

For one, it can make the grading of MCQ quizzes much easier. The computer can do that for you, and offer instantaneous feedback (rather than having to wait for the teacher to mark the quizzes, return it to them to go through). The teacher can then review how well the class fared (say software which collates the results and shows you the breakdown of results), and adjust his teaching focus accordingly.

Likewise, for the delivery of instructions or information, it can be transmitted in the form of a short video or ppt slide. Those who don't understand it the first time can always just review it as many times as they need, while those who do can get started straight away.

In the same vein, if children have any queries, they can keep it in mind and then google for it in their own spare time, so the teacher does not need to stop the lesson to address it. Even tasks like blogging can be made more convenient, since you don't have to book the computer lab for it. Simply have the kids whip out their ipads to post in between lessons, or if they finish early.

Am I the only one who sees how it can potentially alleviate the load of a teacher?

 

[Yumunum]

I am seeing quite a number of advantages to using the ipad in class.

For one, it can make the grading of MCQ quizzes much easier. The computer can do that for you, and offer instantaneous feedback (rather than having to wait for the teacher to mark the quizzes, return it to them to go through). The teacher can then review how well the class fared (say software which collates the results and shows you the breakdown of results), and adjust his teaching focus accordingly.

Likewise, for the delivery of instructions or information, it can be transmitted in the form of a short video or ppt slide. Those who don't understand it the first time can always just review it as many times as they need, while those who do can get started straight away.

In the same vein, if children have any queries, they can keep it in mind and then google for it in their own spare time, so the teacher does not need to stop the lesson to address it. Even tasks like blogging can be made more convenient, since you don't have to book the computer lab for it. Simply have the kids whip out their ipads to post in between lessons, or if they finish early.

Am I the only one who sees how it can potentially alleviate the load of a teacher?

I have a teacher who posts all his PowerPoints online for the students. I basically don't need to be in class. I learn the concepts right off the PowerPoint. And if I didn't have the PowerPoint, I guess I'd have to take insanely good notes, otherwise I'd be screwed.

I believe almost everything should be digital. We just need to get to a point in society where everyone has a tablet or laptop or smartphone.

 

[annk]

MOD NOTE: Please keep the thread on topic. It's fine to discuss the relative merits of the American educational system, but that subject needs to be in the PRSI section of the forums.

Carry on...