My Vision of iPads in the Classroom

      Two of my teachers and I have recently applied for a an iPads in the Classroom Pilot, so I wanted to share some of my thoughts:

       My vision for the use of iPads in the classroom is with the primary objective to help facilitate instruction in the classroom and increase student achievement.  The use of iPads in a 1:1 format will allow teachers to use technology-based student work products as a part of their instructional design.  If given the opportunity to incorporate iPads in the classroom, a teacher would be able to engage students to address higher level thinking skills and truly parallel their instruction with the 21^st century standards. 

Tablets would provide opportunities for students to demonstrate responsibility through technology.  Technology empowers students to explore and create (Gliksman, 2012).  Most importantly, iPads encourages independent, creative, and innovative use of technology.  The new Information and Technology Essential Standards require teachers to use technology as a tool and are expected to “use appropriate technology tools and other resources to access information” and “use appropriate technology tools and other resources to design products to share information with others”.  The implementation of iPads will directly coincide with these expectations and requirements for our teachers.

Finally, I was recently recognized by RobertJackson, the 2010-2011 Wachovia Principal of the Year, during the Regional Principals Conferences throughout the state of North Carolina in regards to my ongoing NC Principal ePLC (CSmithGoBlue/ncadmin).  The purpose of this ePLC is for North Carolina school leaders to collaborate and work as a Professional Learning Community with a centralized focus of the instructional issues for schools in North Carolina through Twitter and Tweetdeck.  Needless to say, if given the opportunity to take part in the iPads in the Classroom Pilot, my strong involvement in Twitter as an instructional leader will provide unlimited professional development and collaboration.

Thanks for reading and follow me via Twitter @CSmithGoBlue

CS

The opinions shared in this blog belong to Craig Smith and do not represent the school or district in which he works.