[elearning] Query on iPad research

[Groves, Brett G]

The data that came back from our recent research with users is that there is a schism between device expectations, not only for staff but for students. It's incredibly marked, there are basically two camps, Laptop and iPad. In truth both are fantastic devices for what they do, the iPad supporters are correct as are the laptop supporters and in both camps the detractors are correct. Part of the issue is an awakening to what potential ICT really has in a classroom, in a mind even. And the realisation that the church is so broad that no one format device is going to suit everything asked of it. 

What else would we expect in a realm of close to infinite choice? 

Choice is the answer, as educators we need to stop concentrating, IMHO, on the process to reach the end result and allow students the freedom, with guidance and support, to find that route for themselves. We need to stop specifying the output of our assessments and instead concentrate on the results. "Effectively communicate this concept to this class" versus "make a PowerPoint that explains this..."  as a somewhat facile example.

We need to make not only our content device agnostic but the  learning experiences we create. This biggest barrier to this is not the device but rather a deep understanding from educators of the ideas underpinning assessment, metacognition, deconstruction, reconstruction, scaffolding, intelligent risk taking etc etc. In short great educators will leverage their understanding of how humans learn and encourage students to use whatever is at hand, exactly as it should be.

Moving away from classrooms that rely on an accountancy of compliance toward a culture of real world based outcomes is the first step. Take that and the device, provided it meets the minimum of utility is of little concern. 

Kind Regards,

Brett Groves
ICT Manager
Croydon Maroondah College
Croydon Campus


-----Original Message-----
From: elearning-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:elearning-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Antoinette Siarabalos
Sent: Friday, 7 September 2012 11:12 AM
To: elearning Teachers' Mailing List
Cc: elearning Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [elearning] Query on iPad research

This is a very timely discussion now happing at my school, Emmaus college. So I appreciate everyone's thoughts here and agree with the advantages of having such a mobile device in 7-9. However, there are challenges with creation of many tasks with the iPad. I don't like the 2 finger typing situation on iPad when I am a touch typist. Let's face it there are still tasks that are better suited to laptops or desktops. So I guess my question is if schools are now going in the direction of iPads , what planning is there for high end creation tasks? Upgrading labs, laptop trolleys? 
Granted they may not be used as often but they will still be needed. This comment is obviously not directed to schools that have laptop programs in place.
Also of you had written a strategic plan for ict 2 years, my guess is, it would now be obsolete.
Interesting times ahead for all in this never ending changing landscape.
Regards,
Antoinette


Thank you
Antoinette Siarabalos
Sent from my iPhone

On 06/09/2012, at 5:23 PM, Roland Gesthuizen <rgesthuizen at gmail.com> wrote:

> I recall Richard Olson during an Edtech Crew podcast noted that we 
> need to be keenly aware that student needs will eventually shift 
> towards more powerful devices. My thinking was that by VCE some would 
> eventually decide to use more powerful laptops. Each could pick what 
> would best suits their study, needs or budget .. or perhaps to not 
> pick one. I can imagine that many could still rely on their old junior 
> school iPad (or smart phone) for mLearning, personal organisation and 
> reading etc. I like how this NZ school is handling it. There are 
> others I can dig up and share if you like.
>     
> http://www.kristin.school.nz/web/portal/ict-services/digital-learning-
> programmes
> 
> If we accept that different streams of students at the senior levels 
> will have different needs, we should not try to resolve this with a 
> single package to fix and accept that in the following year, we should 
> have prepared them for the digital citizenship and independence of 
> learning and working whilst away from a single corporate network.
> Maybe the iPads presents us with the right timing and opportunity to 
> finally allow students to manage their devices and develop their 
> skills as independent and responsible learners if they eventually step 
> up to their own powerful device.
>     http://ipadeducators.ning.com/profiles/blogs/device-control
> 
> Regards Roland
> 
> On 5 September 2012 22:47, Kevork Krozian <kevork at edulists.com.au> wrote:
>> Hi Folks,
>> 
>> A typo below. Unanimous choice for learning, studying and interacting 
>> by the Yr 12s was the laptop/MacBook. None favoured the iPad.
>> 
>> 
>> Kevork Krozian
>> Edulists Creator Administrator
>> www.edulists.com.au
>> tel: 0419 356 034
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: elearning-bounces at edulists.com.au 
>> [mailto:elearning-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Kevork 
>> Krozian

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