Blog Entry #6 - "Less Than a Class Set"

           In the article called “Less Than a Class Set”, the author Kristen Bennett, PhD, talks about how just a few iPads in a classroom can be just as effective the students as having an iPad for each student.  Often times teachers choose iPads over laptops because iPads are more portable, can be customized and are more appealing for students.  However, a problem that teachers and school districts face with iPads is that they are expensive, costing around $500 each iPad.  Because of the cost issue, teachers don’t need to get an iPad for each student, but instead just get a handful of iPads for the entire classroom.  The article states that from their studies, teachers found that by using iPads in centers, with partners or trios or just by the teacher alone for lectures had just as good of an outcome in successful learning as if all students ha their own iPad.  Some students benefit more than others while using an iPad in the classroom.  For example, students who are kinesthetic learners because the apps motivate students manipulate and interact with the content.

I think this is a great concept for teachers and school districts to follow in their classrooms.  I agree that not every student needs their own iPad in the classroom and it makes more sense to get a handful of iPads for the entire class.  There are more advantages to getting iPads for the class and not individual students because it lowers the costs and helps students share and work together in groups.  I believe that as long as each student has a chance to use the device and gets to learn from it, its use will still have the same impact as having an individual iPad.  I also think that if students had their own iPad, they will be less likely to socialize during free time and instead play games; this would deter their ability for learning the actual lesson plan and curriculum.  I also think that being able to work in centers in a group with an iPad is a great idea for the classroom.

This article relates to ISTE NETS performance indicator number two, “Communication and Collaboration”.  This relates to standard number two because students work with the iPads in groups instead of individually while communicating and teaching one another.  The students interact, collaborate and communicate together while contributing to team projects.

Bennett, K.  (2011). Less than a class set. Leading and Learning with Technology. 39(4), 22-23.