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=Incorporating the iPad™ into a Middle School Setting =

Introduction
Technology has become a huge part in the school society today. From computers, to iPods, and now to lap tops, which only hit the surface a short time ago, students have access to much more now than they ever did before. Some say students need this technology to prepare for their future, allow them to broaden their thinking process, and get them motivated to learn. Who would have ever thought a time would come when teachers could video tape themselves, post their lecture on the internet for their students to watch, and never actually physically meet students for class. Now there is yet another device that may be an essential tool in the classroom; the iPad™ from Apple®. The iPad™ from Apple® may change the way students learn and how classrooms are ran. This may create a whole new way students read, take notes, and do math problems, and interact in the classroom. Throughout this page we will provide a description along with the features of the iPad™, some advantages and disadvantages of using the iPad™, and how to incorporate the iPad™ into a classroom such as a history class.

Definition and Features
The iPad™ is comparable to a lap top except it is much smaller and it does not have a keyboard. However, if a keyboard is desired the iPad™ is able to connect to one. Unlike a lap top, it is all touch screen, so therefore no mouse is required. It includes wireless internet, email, photo, video, maps, contacts and other information storage. Another unique feature is that iTunes download just like they would on an iPod. As for helping with the education aspect, the iPad™ has thousands of apps available to download. Featured apps allow students to track their assignments, take notes, and study for exams. These apps work for teachers as well; they can give lessons, monitor progress, and stay organized. Additionally, through iTunes, teachers can post podcasts for students to watch. There are also two programs called iBooks and iWork that will come in handy for teachers and students. Within iWork there are three applications that can be used to help students and teachers create professional-looking documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Conveniently, iBooks allows you to download books which can be read right on the I-Pad. You can also browse, sample, and buy books from the iBookstore. A few other features that will come in handy are Notes, Folders, and Numbers. Notes gives you an on screen keyboard where you can write notes and send them right to your email if needed. Folders allow you to stay organized and keep your similar documents in the same folder. Numbers can be very useful for math. It creates tables, charts, and graphs just by putting in data. Within Numbers there is an on screen keyboard which allows you to enter and create formulas. Another outstanding feature provided is the convenient ability to install software that allows you to adapt screen reading and playback of content for students who are visually impaired, deaf, or who have a learning disability. These are all the main features of the iPad™ which are relevant to teaching, but this is only a small portion of the many possibilities of this little electronic. It can be helpful with everyday life or be used simply for enjoyment. It is a great invention that can make not only learning easier, but also everyday life tasks easier. With our world becoming so dependent on technology, the iPad™ fits in great.

When it comes to learning about history, whether it is ancient Rome or modern civilization, there are numerous ways to go about instruction. As we have introduced the newest innovation, the iPad™ from Apple®, we have said that there are both advantages and disadvantages. This, of course, is natural as almost any approach can be useful or not as effective as another style. Also, when it comes to incorporating the use of technology there are many factors that might make something like the iPad™ more or less effective. For instance, class size, accessibility, and just the overall way your students learn are all factors that need to be taken into consideration when thinking about incorporating the iPad™ into the classroom for learning use, and any and all technology for that matter.  Let us start by making up our own case. Say we have a class of middle-school students and our class size is 20. Gender might play a factor for some classroom environments but for our case it will not. Pretend that all students were given an iPad™ from the school, and it was mandatory for instruction purposes that they be used as tools for learning. So, as instructors, how might we start making use of such technology? First, we look at our content area and focus in on key topics (names, dates, places, etc). If we pick the Civil War for example, we might start by asking the students to look up, using Google Earth (©Google), some key places like the entire east coast of the United States to as far west as the Mississippi River. They can pull this up immediately and the instructor can point out where key battles were, such as where Antietam and Sherman’s March took place. After figuring out where these places are today, students might be able to relate better with the material yet to come. Next, we can start to figure out why there was a Civil War in our nation in the first place. We might point out the issue of slavery and perhaps look up pictures on slavery such as life on a plantation and the brutality that accompanied such a life. Aside from the pictures we may also point out prominent figures that supported or opposed slavery and assign teams to look up as a group some of those leaders such as Abraham Lincoln or Ulysses S. Grant. We can then reconvene as a whole and the groups can report back their findings. This seems to be more effective than an assignment outside of the classroom because it promotes group learning and instant feedback. Finally, we can pick out some internet sites that might have quality pictures or even better content than that of a textbook. We can look up quotes and find out where museums or monuments are. Then, have the class answer why that specific place or person is so significant still today. That would be a form of summative assessment that might show how your class is learning.  There are so many more ways, other than our case above, that shows us the value of technology within our very own classroom. Naturally there are advantages and disadvantages to this style of learning and many factors should be taken into account before placing these tools in the hands of students. Living in the 21st century has proven thus far that our learning climate is ever-changing. It is growing at a rate much faster than ever seen before. As we embrace this new technology and constantly search for new ways to incorporate this into instruction, the limits to what students can learn is beyond the capacity we hold now.

Here is a video showing the many features of the iPad™ and how it can be used as a part of instruction.

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Advantages
There are many skeptics who feel the use of technology should not be integrated with learning and that it is a form of recreation rather than a way of learning. However, the skeptics become fewer and fewer each day as the use of technology becomes more and more a way of life. When you read in the paper or watch the news of all the abuse that goes on in cyber-space, it is easy for one to forget or even imagine the quality or value of useful technology. As more school districts across the country look into getting new tools for their students, such as the iPad™, some things that might be selling points are ‘spend more on this now-pay less later’ and other movements such as the ‘going green’ initiative.  Technology today is about taking out the old path and replacing it, if you will, with new cement. The rise in cost of textbooks has sparked many administrators attention. Administrators have kept their focus on curriculum but have found cheaper ways of teaching specific content. This, of course, is cheaper in the long run and not at first. If you look at the iPad™ as an investment this seems worthwhile to look at. Why not download your textbooks so that you do not have to order in new ones every time the books update? You will still have to pay for the content but think of the thousands of dollars saved on shipping and handling. Also, think of the use of paper or should we say, ‘lack thereof.’ It is advantageous to the school, the district, and the environment and this is just one way of selling this invention to the skeptics. Another way of proving to the traditionalist that new technology can be effective might be adding the fact that students can actually interact with this approach versus the textbook of the past. With all the new websites that display current information and the most up-to-date features (i.e.-webcams) like on the iPad™, one can only wonder where those features might come in handy. Let’s say that there is an expert in another State who might be able to share insight with your class. Instead of spending the money on flying him/her to your city, why not Skype with the expert and let students ask as many questions as they would like? After all, he or she will not have to worry about catching a plane home.  There are many advantages to using this type of new technology as opposed to the ‘bricks’ of old. If it costs some money now then think long term as a great investment for both your classroom and your student’s future.

Disadvantages
In order to discuss the issues faced when incorporating the iPad™ into a classroom, one must first understand some issues with the iPad™ itself. As with all new technological innovations being introduced in our society today, the advancement and convenience of the iPad™ comes at a price. And the iPad™ does not come at a cheap price. This single device costs almost $500. At this price you either need to have very wealthy students or a very generous school district. Not only does the iPad™ have an initial steep price, but down the road there are additional costs for updates and added features that add up. Some may say that the cost of the iPad™ can be offset by money saved by downloading texts instead of buying them and by viewing information on the iPad™ instead of printing or photocopying it, but what about the resale value of a textbook? When a student or teacher buys a textbook they are able to resell it when they no longer have any use for it. What does a person do with the textbook they bought and downloaded? Also, if or when a school district invests this kind of money into technology they do so at the gamble that the equipment will be relevant and useful in years to come. With technology innovations popping up as fast as they are today, who knows if they will get their moneys worth out of it. An additional problem with the iPad™ is that it is not indestructible. If it is dropped on a hard surface it will break. Considering the price of an iPad™, can the district afford to cover the price of one if an irresponsible person wrecks one? But of course there are protective cases available for them, but this adds to the expense, and it still does not make them indestructible. Along with the vulnerability of the iPad™, it has become evident to users that it also has some connectivity problems. If multiple people use one iPad™ the memory storage and network connection may not be sufficient. If you have lots of students in one classroom working on rich media content one could very easily experience a slow connection or a drastic crash. Any time the reliability of a technological innovation is questioned it is an issue in the classroom. When technology malfunctions, or data is lost, or a connection fails, it produces numerous inconveniences for the student and teacher and ultimately just wastes time. As with every new technological innovation that is introduced into education, it requires the teaching of how to use it to everyone coming into contact with it. Time and money will have to be spent on training individuals on the capabilities of the technology. Although it has not been seen as a difficult tool to learn how to use, it is an inconvenience for teachers to have to take time to teach students how to use it before they can use it in their classroom. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">All in all, the bottom line is that the iPad™ is just like every new technology tool: it costs money, it requires training, and it may or may not malfunction at any time. The quality of the iPad™ overall is good but it is not perfect, and it may or may not be successful in a classroom.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Conclusion
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Our society is changing with the help of technology whether we're ready or not. As consumers we need to determine which technology we will incorporate into our instruction. Every technological innovation has been created for one purpose or another and it is up to us to determine which ones are good investments. Technology has allowed us to enter into a cyber world that has never been explored before. With technology the possibilities are endless, but skeptics remember the old saying which questions, 'Why fix something that is not broken?' They wonder, Why get rid of textbooks for reading and use iPads™? Why type papers on iPads™ instead of desktop computers? The debate about incorporating new technology into our lives will continue for years to come but at the end of the day, the instruction method that is the most convenient, reliable, efficient, relevant, effective, and affordable will be used in classrooms. Is the iPad™ the new technology that provides the best instructional methods? Is it our best investment?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">References
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