iPads in secondary elementary schools; the next step in the district-wide paperless movement

The North Hills and Sinking Springs Intermediate Schools are now giving their learners iPad minis like the high school. Some may find this controversial; others find it a helpful educational tool.

Kristin Dowling, a fourth grade teacher at North Hills, thinks it is a positive opportunity. "The iPads allow students the opportunity to learn at their individual learning level, but that means students may be on different apps or assignments at any given moment," said Dowling.

"We get to do morning work on it, it's fun," said fifth grade student, Dylan Gurley about the iPads. Gurley said how they get to do math problems on their iPad in a game format. So, it seems more entertaining to younger learners than regular textbook learning.

Dowling believes that the iPads will help student growth. "Not only is there increased motivation, but through a multitude of learning materials, students are understanding more of what they are taught because there are multiple ways to teach each concept," said Dowling.

Dowling also said that students are more "inquisitive" about what they're learning. "They can now explain their thinking, the “hows” and “whys” by making videos using apps like Videolicious, Explain Everything, iMovie, telestory, etc," Dowling said of the "increased motivation" that the students now have.

“They are able to dig deeper in their thinking,” Dowling said. along with that. She said that, "They are more motivated to learn, more creative, an increased independence in becoming a continuous learner.”

She has lots of nice things to say about the iPads. Sometimes she said the learners want to explore everything right away. This can be difficult while teaching a lesson to the class. “It takes a few weeks to get students acquainted with 21st century skills and establish a routine with the iPads,” said Dowling.

“I probably won’t do my homework on my iPad,” Gurley said, “I think I’m going to get a lot more.” He said that he would rather be playing games with his friends; a common issue among high school students as well.

Dowling has found ways to troubleshoot the other activities students will be bound to try, such as gaming apps. Since the students don't take the iPads home yet, they don't have any games. She said, "We also have an app that allows us to focus the students on a particular app, website, or lock their screen."

“The iPads are helping them become innovators in their own learning and they are helping to prepare them for a world outside of the school walls,” said Dowling. After all, preparing learners for success is what school is supposed to do.

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