News Roundup: iPads in the Classroom (Round II)

No, I don't work for Apple.  But, yes, I do think that the iPad is revolutionizing education - and has the potential to bridge general ed and special ed services like no other technology has done thus far.

I don't think an iPad is ever going to be a substitute for hands-on, individualized teaching.  But, it can really help kids with special needs access the general curriculum, and support their inclusion.  Picture this: a group of 5th readers is studying the solar system.  As part of that unit, the class gets to use the school-owned iPads for the after-lunch hour.  Instead of snoozing through the lesson, a couple of gifted and talented kids are using a star map, and calculating how long it takes light to get from one star to another.  A couple of other kids are tasked with the "general" assignment researching stars in the Milky Way.  One kiddo is using his iPad as a talker to ask the teacher questions about comets.  Another kiddo with cognitive disabilities using his iPad to read the chapter in his e-book that's based on the standard curriculum but targeted to his reading level.  Everyone is engaged, and productively learning at his or her own level.

I've recently read a couple of articles showing a continued interest in tablet computing (generally), and the iPad (specifically) in elementary and middle schools.  Here's an article about a Scottish school that deployed iPads throughout their middle school and high schools programs: iPads in the School.  What I liked about that article is how the author observed kids taking more risks, and trying things that they wouldn't try on paper - all because of the "undo" button.

Another article, Schools using iPads to help Kids with Autism, focuses more on the special needs side of the iPad.  Embedded in the article is the point that's so critical: the iPad costs *so* much less than the traditional AAC devices.  When our schools are faced with such funding shortages, let's spend the money wisely.  When IDEA was reauthorized in 2004,Congress added a section clarifying that school districts could use IDEA funds for assistive technology, even if one or more "non-disabled" kids would benefit from the use of those funds.  That was a great change.  A school can buy a few iPads to support kids with special needs, but can also use the iPads to offer all kids an interactive, challenging experience in the general curriculum.  Everybody wins.  Awesome.