iPads : iGood or iBad?

The world as we know is in the middle of the Progressive Era and for us to keep pursuing, we need to keep moving forward. Societys main focus for progression is the targeted idea of education and what necessities we need to keep making it reach new limits. Technology is what strikes and astounds the view of the world in any aspect in life. One of the newest additions to the world is the renowned iPad, which has every single technological inquirer craving to have it. IPads have started to question the way it affects students learning ability in and out of the classroom. Are iPads a positive movement towards the future of education or the downfall? In the article No more songs in their pockets : school bans iPods [iPads], authors Doherty and Baker open the bias discussion of why the idea of iPods [iPads] is bad. Baker explains that these technological advancements cause social isolation between the students and their surroundings. According to their references, they say its important for kids to be talking to one another at school, socializing and becoming part of their community. Doherty never said that the iPads were flawed to the community; just that they were flaw in the classroomits superfluous by any means. They openly state that iPods [iPads] are just a world in the hands of the youth. If you think about it, these tablets can virtually do anythinganything to further marginalize the learner from his or her prime objective. In an arguing article, Math That Moves : Schools Embrace the iPad, the author Winnie Hu, states her opinion towards the topic of iPads. In Hus opening statement about iPads to be used in class and at home during the school year to replace textbooks opens the discussion of technology being used in the progression of education. The old, which in this case is textbooks to be replaced with iPads is riveting to the public. This sense of a new era of technology thrives upon the attention of the world of academics. Hu states that it allows the school/university to extend its classroom beyond its four walls. Even school leaders agree that the iPad is not just a cool new toy, but rather a powerful and versatile tool with a multitude of applications, including thousands with educational uses. With this said, Hu finalizes her opposition with the conclusion that iPads are here and are the future of learning.

So as you can see, the topic of iPads has really struck the audience and left them in amazement and hopes. Questions of how the iPads could better suit the lifestyles of students for the better of their educationor life in the matter. All the arguments made strong points about their opposition and to say all were based on different matters. What consequence would occur if the iPad was taken away completely or released to the classrooms for students to use in their choice of leisure or academics?

In the final article, Reading with iPads the difference makes a difference written by Dale Sheppard explains his perspective about the introduction of the iPad in classrooms. Sheppard makes an excellent point when he thumbs out that the iPad is new technology to classrooms and the introduction of anything new brings with it considerations for learning and pedagogy. It would take time and custom accommodations for every aspect of the tablet to be in full effect in classrooms. The relevancy is the actual attitude that the students have towards the iPads. Sheppard explains that even though the iPad is a new technological implication to the world, students are pretty much used to the idea of new technology. So being introduced to the iPad for education would be like handing them a new sharpened pencilbetter fitted and prepared for the task.

Works Cited Doherty, Linda, and Jordan Baker. No more songs in their pockets: school bans iPods. 22 Mar. 2005. PDF file. Hu, Winnie. Math That Moves: Schools Embrace the iPad. The New York Times 4 Jan. 2011: 5. Print. Sheppard, Dale. Reading with iPads the difference. Minnis Journals 1.1 (2010): 4. Gale Student Resources in Context. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.

10/2/11

Johnny Bernal