I found this article today written by a Vice President at McGraw Hill. http://mashable.com/2011/05/16/tablets-education/ It speaks to the use of tablet devices in the college classroom. The points Madan makes are excellent, but I wonder how we can integrate this technology into middle and high schools located in poverty stricken areas. Title 1 monies are allocated for technology, but what devices are making it into the classroom and then actually being used?
Years ago, I taught in a Title 1 middle school in which 98% of the students were on free or reduced lunch. My very small classroom contained four large desk top computers placed along one wall of the room. The computers were a great idea but were inaccessible due to the large number of student desks that were crammed into the room. I had an average of 35 students in each of four 90-minute class periods. 35 large 8th grade students in the smallest room on the 8th grade hall was not conducive to creating interactive technology rich lessons using four computers.
As a solution to overcrowded classrooms, I really like the idea of using tablets to create fun standards-based interactive lessons. Students in crowded classrooms are able to use the device in groups on the floor or individually at a desk. The one problem with smaller devices is that they tend to walk out the door instead of being returned to the technology cart. I suggest that schools distribute tablets instead of textbooks at the beginning of the school year. Students would be responsible for paying for damaged or lost tablets just like they are if they damage or lose a textbooks. If the bottom line is cost, I wonder how much more it is to purchase tablets and textbook licenses than to purchase physical textbooks for students?
