A technologically challenged, middle collegiate level student seems to be a rarity in our day of age, but allow me to tell you that we do exist. I was never a great student in high school, nor have I become one in college. Though my study habits have increased in both existance and time, technology has become more incorporated in my daily life than I ever thought possible. Whether I am writing a paper, using PowerPoint, or online classroom, my technological requirements seem to increase, while my understanding of the technology indefinitely decreases.
However, this will not be the case for the next generation of students. A recent article has made it apparent that California has made it a lay that every textbook and workbook will be mandated to have online availability starting in the year of 2020, as iPads will be incorporated into every classroom in the state. The environment of the classroom will change drastically as there will no longer be worksheets or textbook readings. Homework will be completed on the iPad as well as any research, experiments, and textual reading. Things will become faster, easier to access, and more practical in the sense of cheaper book fees as book replacements as a result of damage will no longer be relevant.
I think that this drastic change in classroom is a good idea, but definitely will have some glitches that will need to be worked out. How will the state be sure that cheating will not take place? How will the students learn as well seeing as the reading material is no longer “hands on”? What kinds of things will need to be programmed to ensure that students are staying on task and not web-surfing during class? How does the state plan to fund an iPad for each student?
These are only a few questions that come to my mind and I am sure other people have even more. It will be interesting to motor the progress in the next eight or nine years. All I have to say is, good luck CA!
I like your blog because it gives good detail on something that is new and upcoming. You had good points on how that iPads might have glitches in the California system. I think you have a good idea of what technology is and how it is effective in the classroom. I agree that California needs to think through the process before it does more harm than good.
ReplyDeleteThis is Karly Heitzmann.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia is a big state, so that is a lot of iPads to provide for students! I think the idea itself is great, but you did make some valid points about how logical and effective iPads will be for students. Maybe they should do a trial run to see how students perform with the iPads. I think this could be more of a distraction at first, but once kids get used to the idea of the iPad, it could become second nature. There is probably more good than harm in it, but it would be interesting to see it tested in some schools throughout the country! What a change that would make in the school environment! It wouldn't even be near the same as it is now.
You're an excellent writer, Lindsay. You should start considering grad school!
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