MD2Assign2SnowT

MD2Assign2Snow2

Reading K-12 (reading applications)

Reading ApplicationsEnhances – Story telling, reading, language arts, and reading across the curriculum.  It also enhances vocabulary as well as students with visual and auditory disabilities.	Obsoletes – Text books, dictionaries, thesauruses, and other resource books.
Retrieves – Story telling, students being read to by a computer instead of a parent.	Reversal – Newer and faster applications 3g to 4g and so forth.

Thornburg (2008) states that the tetrad of the effects of technologies is not sequential, but simultaneous.  Reading applications enhance reading, language arts, and vocabulary.  It also provides support for students with visual and auditory disabilities.  It obsoletes text books, and other resources.  Because of the Internet connection, there is no need for resource books.  It retrieves oral storytelling by reading stories for students.  It reverses faster applications.

Reading K-12 has become an important requirement of the Core Curriculum Standards in most states.  In the state of Georgia, it is imperative that students enhance their reading skills.  The standards will improve reading, literacy, and critical thinking.  The changes will lead to a national assessment in which student performance and be reliably compared from state to state (Washington & Badertscher, 2012).  The article in the AJC goes on to state that the changes will infuse reading and writing into every subject across the curriculum.  Technology has caused reading to become more mobile.  With iPads, iPhones, Kindles, and Netbooks; students will be able to read independently outside the classroom.  The reading apps on these tools help students with vocabulary, definitions, and are able to connect to the Internet for other resources.  A study conducted by PBS found that the use of educational iPhone apps increased student’s vocabulary acquisition by thirty one percent within a span of two weeks.  Students now have the digital technology to help them learn language.  PCWorld named the iPad the best toy of the year in 2010.  Early reading specialist Kiera Parrott stated that with the right tool and the right app, a child can explore reading, early learning concepts, and sensory-rich play (Munoz, 2012).  A study in the Journal “Computers and Education" they found that interactive digital reading instruction had lasting positive effects on children's literacy skills.  LeVar Burton launched the “Reading Rainbow” app on the iPad ( Edwards, 2012).  It is geared toward students ages three through nine.  The article goes on to state that the free app contains one hundred fifty stories and sixteen videos.  The only drawback is the 9.99 a month fee.   

Resources:

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/sweeping-changes-to-hit-1428379.html

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/tablets/10-ipad-apps-for-teaching-kids-to-read.htm

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/best-reading-apps-for-kids/

Read more: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/science_tech/reading-rainbow-app-aims-to-take-kids-to-new-learning-heights-wcpo1340894862740#ixzz1z8ha2Zqz

Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's laws of media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration. Retrieved from:  https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201270_01/PH_EDUC/NCATE_EDUC_8848_EDUC_7108/Module%202/Resources/Resources/embedded/emerging_technologies_and_mcluhan%27s_laws_of_media.pdf

Replies to MD1Assign2 - Emerging Technologies

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Rachel McCullough
Jessica Green
Michele Baylor

MD1Assign2SnowT

iPads in the classroom -an emerged technology

iPads in the classroom are an emerging technology.  With the graphics and touch screen it has become very popular with students and teachers. There are an abundance of applications that help students with research and writing.  The applications cover every content area.  There is even an English Learner App for ESOL students.  It will help build their reading, writing, speaking, and understanding skills.  The books can be seen in iTunes and are loaded with colorful graphics, animation and games.  There are interactive math applications that have engaging games that are fun.  The science and social study applications are full of discovery and engaging games.  Some schools are beginning to use the iPad to replace classroom books.   Some of the most interesting applications are those that allow for student creativity and critical thinking (Levy, 2011).    

With that being said, most school districts are using grant money to buy the iPads.  Some schools do not have the funds to buy and iPads for every student or even a class set.  The books must be downloaded and bought through iTunes.  iPads are continually changing and being updated.    Some teachers are using the iPads as a replacement tool rather than a supplemental tool in education.  Teachers need to be aware of the applications available and make appropriate lesson plans accordingly.  The students need to be aware that it is an educational tool and not a toy.  One teacher stated that there was a problem with typing and you would need and external keyboard.  There are many pros for the iPads in schools.  Personally my school does not have iPads for students.  “It isn’t in the budget,” I was told.    

http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/07/11/putting-the-ipad-to-work-in-elementary-classrooms.aspx

http://www.maclife.com/article/features/ipads_classroom_are_changing_face_education