Intelligent Acquisition of Information using iPads

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You must have seen your child or your neighbour’s children or your students peering intently at the latest tablets, laptops and computers online or in your local shops. You have always wondered, how are these electronic devices going to influence my child’s life? You will be amazed to discover how they will definitely play a remarkable role in your child’s life. Here’s how. 

Positive and Constant Teacher-Guardian Communication 

 

You will be amazed to know that teachers are so reliant on these devices that they use them to teach students and monitor their progress which is sent to the parents as a feedback and progress report in the form of a simple e-mail. In two minutes your child’s progress is updated online for you to see and monitor at home accordingly. 

Quick In Sharing Information In The Classroom

 

If each child is handed a device of his or her own, the assignments that are completed at home can easily be shared and assessed in the classroom. How is that possible? Simple. 

They just need to upload their work by connecting it to the whiteboard or smart board in the classroom and using a wireless connection or by using cables that connect all of the students’ devices, that single document can be shared in a short span of just a few seconds. 

You can help them to get their Projects Completed Efficiently

 

The students don’t need to visit their friends’ homes to gather in a group and complete a project that required teamwork. They can simply use the internet to do their research and find the relevant information. 

Taking Down Information Couldn’t Get Easier

 

Writing lengthy class notes or information was a tedious task for many students who belonged to the decades that existed in the absence of technology. Now they can be virtually written down on the tablets with just a sweep of a finger. 

Do they encourage students who get stage fright?

 

Your child might feel intimidated by public speeches and presentations. They can take part in the virtual debates that can be assessed as oral assignments from home. Their responses can be saved for future reference and for you to grade them if you are a teacher. 

It is great to help your student or child to revise lessons

 

Children have a hard time focusing on lessons and revising them before the examinations. You can rest assured. It will be a rewarding experience to help them revise using the device. 

How can you encourage them to be creative?

 

You can show them a whole new world by using the iPads. You can teach them new songs using virtual instruments, art, crafts and just about anything creative. You can encourage them to write short stories too.

The students can also participate in writing blogs. They will feel highly motivated once they see that their work has been published on the internet. In addition, they can make informative videos to illustrate their points. 

Can you teach them different languages using an iPad?

 

You will be thrilled to discover how your child or student will be fascinated to learn a new language using the device. 

Interacting with people all over the world

 

Your student or child will have a well rounded personality. The iPad will help the child interact with different people from all over the globe. They will gain new and meaningful insight. They will have access to new perspectives. They will be optimistic global citizens with innovative ideas for a better and brighter future.

So take a chance to make this change in their lives. Who knows what they can create with just a little push from our end? 

Did we answer your queries? Write to us and we’ll be glad to send you a response. 

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Is Technology Negatively Affecting Your Student’s Writing Skills?

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As more and more students are spending increasing number of time on their laptops and tablets, they are being less engaged in traditional writing activities. This is making many parents and teachers concerned about the use of technology in learning. Do you think that educational technology is leading to poorer hand writing in today’s students? Let’s Find Out... 

Is Technology Affecting Students’ Writing Skills?

 

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Many education experts believe that modern technological tools in education may be severely affecting the writing skills of students worldwide. But the recent National Writing Project study by the Pew Research Center suggests there is no need to worry about your students writing skills. 

The findings of the report are contrary to the popular belief that technology is creating weaker students who are unable to express their feelings through writing. The researchers have concluded that technology based learning activities offer several benefits to students over the traditional methods. 

The National Writing Project Survey 

 

The Pew Research Center conducted the Advanced Placement and National Writing Project by surveying over 2,400 middle school and high school teachers. The respondents included teachers from all the 50 states and also included the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia as well. Almost 1,750 respondents in the survey were Advanced Placement teachers; whereas 700 respondents were from the National Writing Project. 

The researchers of the study also considered the information gathered from focus groups of high school students as well as high-school and middle-school teachers from November 2011 to February 2012. 

What the Survey Found....

 

Around 78 per cent of the teachers surveyed in the Advanced Placement and National Writing Project believed that the increasing use of the computers, internet and social networks helped in improving personal expression and creativity in students. Almost all of the teachers believe that the internet enables students to share their work faster and wider. Moreover almost 80 per cent of respondents said they think that the social media and the internet have made team work a simpler process for students. By sharing on a platform which provides wider reach; students can get more feedbacks and suggestions which would lead to better writing quality in the long term. 

Technology in the Classroom- Good or Bad?

 

But many other teachers did not agree with this perception. Those opposing the use of technology in the classroom believe that the grades of students are getting affected as a result of all this. 

When teachers were asked to evaluate the performance of their students on particular writing skills, most teachers rated the learners as “fair” or “good”, instead of “very good” or “excellent.” However, most students received excellent grades on their capability to “effectively organise and structure writing assignments.” They also received outstanding ratings on their aptitude to “understand and consider multiple viewpoints on a particular topic or issue.” These students received the poorest ratings in “reading and digesting long or complicated texts” and “navigating issues of fair use and copyright in composition.” 

Is the Study Skewed?

 

Some educators also claim that the National Writing Project research is biased towards instructors to who teach the best students in the nation. Hence the findings of the report reflect their view of education in the US. Some of these education leaders claim that the report does not necessarily represent the reality of all American teachers and schools. 

However, the results of the survey will undoubtedly help us to improve education as these reflect the judgements and observations of teachers from some of the most effective schools that use technology in their classrooms. 

What do you think? Is technology in the classroom good or bad? Do you think tablets, internet and social media is actually affecting the writing quality of our students? Let us know what you feel.... 

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Is Technology in Today’s Classroom Good for Students?

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Technology is increasingly becoming more important for the growth and expansion of education on a global scale. You simply cannot deny the role modern technology plays in our daily lives. It has dramatically modified every aspect of our lives. Then why should education be an exception?

There are many who are still apprehensive about the use of advanced technology in education. But the benefits that technology offers to our students and teachers are far too great than we could previously imagine.

EdTech- Revolutionising Education

Educational Technology or EdTech, as some like to call, is revolutionising our classrooms and enhancing the learning experience for our students, especially for those with special needs. Nowadays children and young adults are highly comfortable with the use of various technological tools. Does your child get glued to his video games right after school? Does your teen spend a lot of time on Facebook? If yes, then you know what I mean.

With the introduction of advanced smartphones and tablets, students can now easily access unlimited information just by swiping their fingertips. It not only helps them to learn better, but makes them more proactive. Increasing numbers of schools across the globe are now investing in the latest educational technology to make learning more engaging and effective. These high-tech academic tools can make the path of acquiring valuable knowledge much easier and more efficient, which will eventually result in developing essential professional skills.

If you are still unconvinced about the need for technology in education, then let us talk about the advantages it offers. Let’s have a look-

Easy Access to Information and Knowledge

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The internet allows our students to access unlimited and relevant information easily. As text books offer limited knowledge, your child can learn a lot more about specific topic and subjects through the internet. Apart from this, there are numerous online communicating programmes that can enable your children to improve their reading, writing, language and research skills. Students can also use various online academic exercises and games that will enhance their learning experience and increase student participation.

Web-based and other technological tools can help students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses as well as their learning progress. These can also improve hand/eye coordination and memory as well. Moreover, advanced tools can further help higher education students in conducting research, experiments and other assignments.

Creating a Globally Connected Classroom 

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Technology has enabled our students and teachers to connect with each other irrespective of where they are located. With online communicating tools like video chats, students can now learn from other students and teachers who are situated in different parts the world. This has resulted in developing a global classroom which is highly beneficial as knowledge sharing has become much easier and accessible. Moreover, with the popularity of online education, now your child can learn from renowned and respected teachers without even leaving your home.

Improving Employability and Future Career

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As the corporate world has become highly competitive, high school and college graduates must have adequate knowledge about technology related domains. As students get equipped with various high-tech skills from an early age due to the use of technology in classrooms, it helps them to improve their chances of getting employed and build a rewarding career in future.

Countering Challenges and Attaining Success

According to various studies, technologically inclined learning environments enable students to avert risks and overcome obstacles in their academic as well as professional lives. Hi-tech educational tools also help to improve their success rate.

To Make a Long Story Short

Technology has now become vital for most parts of our lives, homes and communities. Schools, teachers and students alike will undoubtedly benefit by using advanced technological tools in the classrooms. Technology is rapidly changing the way we teach and learn. As education has become more accessible with the help of online education, students from even remote parts of the world can now gain essential skills and knowledge which will increase their employability.

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Can Tablets Help to Create a Better Learning Environment?

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Nowadays, modern technology has become an integral part of every aspect of our lives. So why should education be an exception? With the advent of online learning, laptops, tablets and smartphones have made their way into our classrooms. Although there may be some sceptics, but the fact is using devices like tablets are making the learning experience better for our students.

Should Tablets Be Allowed In Classrooms?

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Why not? Technology has now become a major part of our classrooms. With the help of tablets students can easily access and share educational content which will help them to learn better. Tablets can make education more interesting and enhance engagement between teachers and students. Devices like these can increase student participation and enable them to become more proactive. Using various interactive features, offered by tablets, our students can check their learning and share their progress with fellow classmates.

According to studies, 81 per cent of teachers believe that tablets can help to improve the learning experience. Moreover, 86 per cent of students have said that tablets can undoubtedly enable them learn more effectively. It was also found that 87 per cent of teachers think that digital devices like tablets can improve motivation, independent thinking, creativity, digital literacy and understanding of study material.

It is true that tablets, along with a reliable internet connection, can enable students to conduct research without even leaving their classrooms (or homes) as they can access virtual libraries simply by swiping their fingers. Moreover teachers can demonstrate topics by projecting and manipulating 3-D illustrations and objects on screen. It is only with the use of tablets that students now carry lighter backpacks and dogs are unable to eat their homework.

How Can Tablets Improve The Classroom?

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Several studies show that using technology in classrooms can help in creating an enhanced learning environment. It cannot be denied that there is a chance students might get distracted by all the features offered by tablets, but when used properly under close supervision of teachers, tablets can actually help students to learn in an interactive way.

Here I have mentioned how tablets can help students in the classroom. Tablets can-

• Improve their motivation to learn


• Help them to search, share and publish information


• Encourage collaboration


• Tablets will develop IT skills in students from an early age


• Help to develop a more personalised learning approach


• Provide more flexibility and convenience regarding place and time


• Inspire creativity


• Improve communication among students (via online forums etc)

On the other hand, there are many benefits of using tablets for teachers as well. Tablets in classrooms can-

• Help in classroom organisation and management


• Transform/Modify the role of the class teachers


• Help in student evaluation and assessment


• Develop IT skills in teachers


• Improve quality of study material


• Make teaching more effective by using audio and visual aid


• Help to create a unique teaching approach

You can argue that there are several ill-effects of using tablets in the classroom, but you cannot deny that the advantages outweigh the negative aspects by a large margin. This simple digital tool offers numerous academic-based functions like -

• Word Processing


• Camera


• Image, Video and Document Viewing


• Interactive Educational Games


• Online Library


• Presentation


• Printing wirelessly


• E-books


• Internet Connection, and


• Others

Tablets are certainly a great and much less expensive option for students and schools to utilise technology to enhance education. In the recent future, devices like these will enable motivated students and trained teachers to engage in much deeper and more efficient learning experiences.