iPerspectives: Parent/Teacher/Student Opinions on the iPad

The Parent Perspective:

Most of the parent
testimonials I have read regarding the use of the iPad and their
children have had concerns about how addictive their child has become
using the iPad. Athough one of the benefits of using the iPad is that it
is engaging, parents have noticed the addictiveness and some are afraid
of its effects. "When I tell him it’s time to shut off the iPad and
head up to bed, or put his shoes on, or head out to the bus, he doesn’t hear me the first
three times I ask. Sometimes, he gets bizarrely upset when I say I have
to take it away now — out-of-character upset. That’s what makes me think
he’s addicted" (Pogue, 2011). In fact, there are cases of children as
young as four who are in therapy due to her compulsive behavior after
prolonged used of the iPad. "Her parents enrolled her for compulsive
behaviour therapy after she became increasingly “distressed and inconsolable” when the iPad was taken away from her" (Ward, 2013). These parental concerns along with expert concerns
for prolonged exposure, especially for small children, have made it
clear that the concerns seem to outweigh the positive. I am sure there
are parents out there who feel that the iPad is a great tool especially
for students who needs AT, since the iPad and applications are readily
available and engaging. But in researching the parent perspective I have
found more concerns than praise.



The Teacher Perspective:

Being a teacher in an Emotional Support classroom, means that I am always
looking for programs and activities that engage and motivate my
students. We recently received iPads from the district to use as a high
value reinforcer and multisensory teaching tool. Since introducing the
iPads, I have noticed an improvement in compliance with tasks because
students are so motivated to play on the iPad, they will complete even
the toughest tasks. I have personally noticed the addictive effect the
device has on the students, especially when we take the device away.
Students have thrown tantrums and destroyed classrooms when the iPads were first introduced, purely because they had to put them down and continue with working. Besides the addictiveness of the device, it is as versatile as the apps you download onto it. I believe it is a great supplemental tool, to go along with explicit instruction and a fun way to integrate technology into lessons.


Other teachers agree, saying that it is easily accessible for almost all students, it is a great way to view content such as websites, videos, audio and easy read books etc (Wired Educator, 2010). Again, most teachers love the availability and diversity of the applications for the iPad.The video above also gives further testimonials of teachers using the iPad in their classrooms.



The Student Perspective:

As I have seen in my class, the students love getting to use the iPad in the classroom. It is a device that the majority of society would love to have, and my students are excited to have the ability to use them every day.  Students tend to be more engaged on the iPad, especially in the beginning phases of its use. In the video above, students share their opinions on using the iPad. I have not come across any negative feedback in my research, as I feel most students are relatively happy to be using the device.


References:

Wired Education. (April 2010). An iPad in Every Classroom: Teacher Tested, Student Approved. retrieved from: http://wirededucator.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/an-ipad-in-every-classroom-teacher-tested-student-approved/

Pogue, D. (2011). A Parent’s Struggle With a Child’s iPad Addiction. NY Times Online. Retrieved from: http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/a-parents-struggle-with-a-childs-ipad-addiction/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Ward, Victoria. (2013). Toddlers becoming so addicted to iPads they require therapy. Telegraph Online. Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/10008707/Toddlers-becoming-so-addicted-to-iPads-they-require-therapy.html