Perks of Having Chromebooks and iPads Accessible for ALL Students and Teachers
After reading a section from one of my preferred Ed Tech Bloggers, Inufsed Classrooms, I was in complete aggreance with the blogger when she discussed the pros of students and teachers to have access to Chromebooks and iPads. Something that was suggested by her was that a school who is 1:1 with Chromebooks provide their teachers with access to iPads as well. It does not need to be 1:1 for iPads, but it could be a cart that could be utilized by classroom teachers for their students. For example, iPhones are the most common phone used in America today. As educators, we are preparing our students for the rest of their lives. If students have access to iPads, they will learn to properly utlize an apple product. Having access to both types of devices will also support meeting the needs of all students. Some students may benefit more from an iPad than a Chromebook given the task on hand. I look forward to diving deeper into the Infused Classroom blog to improve my classroom technology needs.
I really like that idea! I wish my building would simply provide teachers with Ipads and pencils so that when you're teaching you can be connected to the board to teach the lesson, but still walk around the room. I hate being stuck at the desk with the camera or at the board to write. I do think that the 1:1 with both Chromebooks and Ipads would be incredibly expensive though. I know that my district personally could not support that cost.
ReplyDeleteOur elementary schools are 1:1 with ipads and the middle and high school have 1:1 laptops. It has been a process that has taken several years. They started out slowly with having a cart that was shared between grade level teams. Each year they added devices in the district. I don't know exactly what steps they took to get all of the money but I do know that they wrote grants for some of it and used any extra funds they could on technology. I am thankful that they put all of their focus on technology because it was a tremendous asset when COVID shut school down.
ReplyDeleteThis idea seems like an excellent one! I currently teach at a 1:1 Chromebook middle school, but as a student, I attended a 1:1 iPad high school. Given my own experiences, I would say that I am versed in the school process with both types of devices separately. However, I believe that having access to both of these types of technologies would be incredibly beneficial to the classroom. Both Chromebooks and iPads have pros and cons, so it would be good to help "settle the score," if you will, by having access to both. Particularly in thinking about how these two different types of devices work, it would be nice to have something that could be used for typing and research (Chromebook) and something that could be used for more creative applications (iPad). However, just as my classmates mentioned, this idea does not seem like it could be a realistic option for many districts. It would be so cool for districts all over the country to be in that financial position, because I definitely agree that it would be endlessly beneficial to helping support students in getting ready for their futures!
ReplyDeleteThe school that I teach at is a 1:1 technology school. Primary students all have their own iPads while grades 3-8 have their own Chromebooks. This is definitely a positive thing to have in the school building to allow the students to begin preparing for their futures in and out of the school building. It is so important that students begin their knowledge and use of technology at an early age so they can be prepared to use it as they continue through school in the future.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with your post. There are some fundamental issues with Chromebooks. One of the main issues we are discovering at my school is that several programs we would like to install as well as websites we would like to use are either not compatible with Chromebooks or simply require too much processing power that Chromebooks lack. I'm also not sure that iPads are financially viable. Apple's "discounts" are laughable at best, and they tend to pick and choose the products they discount. If Apple was truly for education, they'd realize the incredible potential they have to be better placed in schools.
ReplyDeleteJenna,
ReplyDeleteI am am glad to read that you are finding the content from IC engaging. Do you think the primary barrier for the integration of Apple products is cost? I find the iPads are beneficial for primary grade students. I know numerous private schools in Louisville are using them effectively with their secondary students. Good post.