iPads for education

In addition to their iPad, students received a case and two app download codes. PHOTO: Miranda Sanchez

More than 500 free iPad 4s were distributed to qualifying education majors as the first step in the college of education’s iPad initiative.

The initiative was created to prepare students for an interactive learning environment where teachers and students use technology like iPads, Theresa Cullen, an assistant professor in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education who helped to create the initiative said.

“We heard there was an opportunity through some private funds that the students could get involved with having iPads and we just jumped at the chance,” Cullen said.

In Jan. at an Apple education event Philip Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, said over 1.5 million iPads are in educational institutions. In addition, there are over 20,000 iPad apps available specifically to assist in learning and teaching.

Education seniors Rachel Renbarger [left]
and Allison DiDonato [right] set up their preferences
 on their iPad. PHOTO: Miranda Sanchez

With the plethora of software being developed for the iPads, Cullen said it is pivotal to start teaching students how to use the technology while they are still in school so the students will be one step ahead of other applicants.

iPad training for faculty began in Oct., but the instruction for the future teachers began with the first iPad distribution seminar on Dec. 4. Education professors and guest Apple representatives walked the students through setting up their new iPads and downloading basic educational apps such as Notability, a note taking app.  

Cullen said the iPads were immediately put to use. In Professor Beach’s class, students were assigned to take notes in Notability and as the class progressed, they ended up creating a children’s storybook using an app they found on the app store.

“These assignments weren’t planned,” Cullen said. “People were so excited to have [the iPads] that the professors just jumped at it and said ‘okay, lets find an app that can do that.’”

Within the first weeks of having the iPads, some students like elementary education sophomore Kaley Palmer already have an idea of how they would like to combine teaching with the new technology.

“I can use it as I am presenting my lesson, record myself and then post it to a class webpage so that my students and parents can access my lectures if they need it,” Palmer said.

In addition, Palmer is exploring apps that will help her teach literature and organize student grades and other information.

Through the course of the program, Teresa DeBacker, the associate dean of JRCoE, and Cullen plan on analyzing faculty behavior changes, comfort with technology and how the iPads are used in class, Cullen said.

At the beginning of the spring semester, students will answer a short survey and then take one again at the end of each semester until they graduate from the college, Cullen said.

“We’re really focusing on training,” Cullen said. “We’ll be having workshops for our faculty and students through the spring on how to use the iPad, how they can use [the iPads] better… and how they can be used for education.”