Perspectives on iPads

The use of iPads provides many opportunities for students to learn and express their knowledge in various ways. IPads are more readily used than not these days, and are becoming an integral part of the classroom environment as well as the home environment. Children with disabilities can use iPads to break through some of the obstacles they face on a daily basis, such as communication barriers. From a teacher perspective, iPads provide opportunities for reinforcement, practice, and enjoyable, stimulating activities related to instruction. Students enjoy using iPads because it almost feels like they are not doing work. Most students enjoy using iPads and the feeling that they may have some level of independence while working on them. Parents have mixed perspectives on iPads, and I guess I do too. I agree with the argument that technology is taking over the of reading real paper page books, playing outside, and having to be creative to come up with their own games with peers. On the other side of the argument, I understand that technology is the way that our society is quickly moving through. In today’s times, technology is such a big part of so many aspects of life that I agree with the supporters of iPads and other technology. Some parents also understand that we teach our students to be a functional member of our society and therefore the students need to follow along with the technology trend so they are as best prepared for the future as possible. As teachers, it is our job to prepare students for the real-life world they will go into after high school. Making sure students are exposed to technology is one of those important aspects of preparing students for an advanced technological society.