Monday, June 25, 2012

Module 2: Tetrad on Tablets

The tablet has great potential for creating an engaging learning environment for today's students. Below you will find a tetrad created to examine the tablet.




Enhances: What does this technology do that is new?
The tablet will incorporate a collaborative aspect in the learning environment while utilizing technology to keep students engaged. Although collaborative learning isn’t a new fad, it is highly emphasized in today’s classrooms. Using tablets to foster collaborative learning would create positive outcomes for the students.

Obsoletes: What does this technology replace?
Tablets in classroom instruction could possibly eliminate the use of laptops and textbooks in the classroom. The tablet could be used to retrieve important reading materials and reference documents to support content and daily lessons.

Retrieves/Rekindles: What does this technology bring to mind (or retrieve) from the past?
Many schools are using outdated textbooks, if any textbook is being used at all, because so many resources are readily available on the internet. Tablets could bring back the use of textbooks in a digital format as students are working in a collaborative environment to compare and contrast pieces of literature.

Reverses: What might replace this technology in the future, or what might it cause to occur?
Tablets could increase the use of individualized instruction as students are able to access specific learning resources to address the precise needs of the individual.


Reference:

Hursh, T. (n.d.). Tablet pcs for classroom use: Technology and application. Retrieved from http://courses.education.illinois.edu/edpsy317/sp03/challenge-reports/hursh-tabletpc.html

3 comments:

  1. Laura

    I love that you included the possiblity of replacing textbooks. There is a high school in my area that has decided to actually do that. They have purchased tablets for core classrooms and the students now access their textbooks using the tablets. The districts reasoning behind this idea is that the high school students aren't interested in reading the old fashioned textbook but if it can be presented to them in a digital form they will become more involved. Last year was their first year and so far I have heard all good comments on this idea.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Brandy

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  2. Hello Laura Lee,

    I love the idea of technology in the classroom. The tablet; however, is a little small for me to feel comfortable with it. True, it's the size of one page of a book and although I know I can only see two pages of a book at any given moment I don't feel the same level of comfort with not being able to turn the pages. I feel like an infant in that I don't feel like it's really there unless I can see it. In some way it really isn't there unless I can see it and it could be lost if the power went out.

    Thanks
    Kathy

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  3. Laura,

    Many schools in my area are moving toward tablets of some type. The advantage of students having access to technology at school and home will be an increase in prior knowledge. Students will use the tablet to look up information they are curious about or here others talking about which will explain their knowledge base.
    Great Post!

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