one-to-one iPads elementary education technology initiative public schools family outreach
Abstract:
The basis of my inquiry into the implementation of iPads in an elementary general education classroom stems from my personal interest in promoting and utilizing technology in my future classrooms. This thesis focuses on understanding how the iPad is being used in a second grade classroom as well as measuring the teachers’, students’ and parents’ reactions to iPad distribution to each student. I conducted a qualitative research approach in a second grade classroom of 19 students in which I was student teaching, by both observing and applying the iPad into daily lessons, distributing surveys and giving verbal interviews. I present my findings around six themes: access to Internet and applications, use in the general education classroom, use in specials and outside classes, student responses to the iPad, parent responses, and teacher/administrative training with the iPads before/after student use. This study can be used as a reference for administrators and educators to better understand how iPads can be used in educational settings especially at the elementary level, as well as ways of upholding strong family outreach with new products.
