iPad Pitfalls to Avoid

We are going to be piloting a 1-1 iPad program at our school and I thought we could blog our thoughts and findings as we go… Our venture is about learning, not technology…

I was lucky enough to visit Australia and learn from people who have experience in 1-1 iPad programs…I’ve been advised and warned!

Some advice (from a variety of too many to give credit to!)

 Do not focus on apps. Focus instead on what it is you are trying to achieve. Explore effective integration tools and strategies. There are tools for annotation, screen-casting, audio creation, and video creation. Consider how you can use the above as a catalyst for change and innovation. 

Do  keep talking about the WHY and WHAT! Why I am consideering teaching this is this particular way? What can I do now that wasn't possible before? What value does this add? This is an opportunity to change practice, rather than an opportunity to use new technology to extend existing practices.  Use modern tools to teach modern learners, to support learning and teaching and to act as a catalyst for transformative change. 

Do focus on what iPads do best: Use the tool and its features to engage your class, to offer a variety of activities, to encourage self-directed learning and to encourage collaboration, communication and creativity. iPads are mobile and perfect for anytime, anywhere learning. 

Do explore content from a wide range of materials. Use the free tools and services available on the Internet to encourage collaboration and sharing.

Do share your resources with other educators.

Do involve yourself in on-going and adequate professional development (PD). Just having a tablet won't necessarily translate to expertise in or out of the classroom. Teachers need time for professional collaboration (and support) on how to integrate the devices into the learning process. Teachers need to develop strategies to cater for varying learning styles, ages and competencies. This is quite different from playing with a few apps!

Do not think it's going to be easy! Cloud computing, poor Internet access, software issues, hardware issues, understanding how to share files, understanding how apps work, problems with different file formats...Work together to overcome these hurdles.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Ask your learners, your colleagues and the Internet!

Do not expect the iPad to replace your computer / laptop or even think that it will provide equivalent functionality. The iPad will access the Internet, email and online curriculum. It will allow you to do basic word processing, create spreadsheets, complete presentations, edit basic videos, do basic photo editing and record sound. It also operates as a camera or video camera. 

The iPad is suitable for some but not all computing needs. The iPad does not replace the need for another computer/laptop. It is an additional device. At this stage the majority of apps are not able to replace the full suite of productivity applications available on a PC or laptop. However, as a mobile computing device, the iPad may, particularly in junior classes, be sufficient for the majority of classroom work, provided that there is access to a computer for specialist software, printing and for backing the iPad up.

Do not try and share iPads. The   iPad is a personal device and it not easy to share e.g. it is set up for a particular person and does not offer multiple profiles like a PC/laptop would. An iPads is designed to be personal and permanetly connected , giving opportunity for collaboration, communication and creativity. 

Do not think that the iPad in the only solution. It is just a tool that puts technology into the hand of the teacher and learner. It's what you do with it that matters! There is no question that having the same device for all makes it easier to manage a 1-1 program – from a teacher preparation and management point of view…That’s why we’re piloting iPads…However, there are other options and many schools are having great success with a Bring your Own Device (BYOD) model.