Module 1 by Ryan Reilly

Module 1 - Question 1

ryanreilly1 — 2015-05-04 13:05:07 UTC

1. Why do I want to use tablets in my classroom?

I think that the use of tablets in School should now almost be an essential part of the curriculum due to the modern technological and ICT advances within today's society. Alongside these changes, forward-thinking educators are taking risks by distributing tablets in schools, in the hopes that the glimpses of efficiency we have seen to-date can continue to evolve for the long-term, changing classroom education for the better.

Many schools across the world are well on their way to integrating tablet technology into their daily routines and these ICT skills are being taught readily throughout schools across the world to provide and supply children with rudimentary ICT skills with the aim of preparing them fora more technically advanced world (Education Scotland; Principles &Practice, 2013). It is imperative to realise that some children among your classes may not be fortunate enough to have contact with a tablet in their home life,Lauder suggests that “those who live on the wrong side of the digital divide will find themselves left further and further behind”(Lauder, 2006:32).

Evidently the children that do not have “sophisticated ICT infrastructures” will suffer a great burden (Lauder, 2006:32) and are more than likely to fall behind if they are lacking in this area. The CfE aims to inhibit this from occurring by recognising that not all children have tablets at home and therefore it is vital for such skills to be implemented as part of the national curriculum. So therefore the Government are providing children with the basic skills essential for the future (Education Scotland; Principles & Practice, 2013). Therefore benefiting the children in the long term learning when they reach the world of work.

Module 1 - Question 2

ryanreilly1 — 2015-05-04 13:17:40 UTC

2. What whole-school challenges do I foresee using tablets? What do I need to consider at a classroom level when using tablets?

Personally the initial area that comes to mind when it is at a whole-school level in the cost and maintenance of such expensive pieces of equipment being used throughout the school. With this it bring with it areas like training, technicians and being connected to a secure network like the cloud. Then there is the problem with teachers and educators who are not 'naturally' good on such devices. This generates some friction and often there will be cases where teachers will refuse to use tablets within the classroom. For such teachers they already are set in their own styles and methods, so introducing a change to their pedagogical niche will produce some problems for staff.

So to make the most of tablet technology in schools, we must develop effective implementation, training and mentoring tactics together with a vast collegiate mind-set. It will be hard for teachers to step away from the book. Which highlights a Tablet vs Textbook debate which for a lot of teachers will be due to uncertainty and a lacking of statistics to provide evidence that they hold an advantage within education.

Module 1 - Question 3

ryanreilly1 — 2015-05-04 13:48:42 UTC

3. What classroom challenges do I already face or do I anticipate facing when using tablets?

One of the main things that has to be considered when using tablets is what information is going into it. Tablets tend to receive more information than having it input. As a teacher, however, we require that students can read and respond. Still, entering responses in to a tablet can often be problematic. Which then brings forward an issue of monitoring their use on the tablet. Though tablets allow students to learn at their own pace, some educators are worried about how to handle a classroom full of independent learners.

It is essential to consider the abilities too, as children often do not have access to such devices at home. So there has to be planning in place to support children who are less able on tablets and they will require time, support and training. On the other hand it is essential to plan for the children who have such devices at home and are technologically advanced. Teachers must ensure that the children are being challenged when using the tablets. Which would also bring forward an issue with children realising the difference between tablets being used for learning and not for fun.