Using iPads in the Classroom

The use of technology is rapidly increasing in today's society. More importantly, the use of technology is vastly expanding in the field of education. Children are learning at earlier stages in life how to properly use new technologies, such as cell phones, computers, and iPhones and iPads. The latter is a booming industry for children and adults alike. In the past three years, Apple Inc. had released five different versions of the iPad, including four generations of the device along with the iPad mini. Each generation of the iPad brings new pieces of technology and allows for more and more advanced apps.

Co-workers at every grade level are constantly collaborating on how to improve learning environments and strategies for students. Technology is an excellent resource when improving these strategies. Specifically, iPads have begun to provide enormous opportunities to broaden students' horizons. Apps have been created to help engage students in learning all types of materials. Apple has created over 20,000 educational apps to teach students everything from basic core subjects to art to sign language. The video to the left shows a demonstration of one of the many art apps available for use in the classroom. In it the man shows how to use the different tools to compose a composition, in this case an eye.

The use of iPads in the art classroom is also becoming more prominent. Tricia Fuglestad and Suzanne Tiedemann are two art teachers that created a website with their opinions on the pros of iPad use in the art classroom. They also incorporated students art, videos, app resources, and links to professional artwork made from iPads. According to these two teachers the iPad does not hinder skill development, but instead helps improve traditional skills while teaching learners how to use new digital tools and concepts. "They are learning to work in layers with transparency, undo their mistakes, zoom in for more detail, [and] resize/crop/rotate to create good compositions..." stated Tricia. Suzanne followed this statement up by stating, "It can enable students to create and share digital content and media focusing on art and cross-curricular learning."

21st century technology continues to grow everyday. For people in the art industry, or any field for that matter, that were not fortunate enough to grow up using iPads, they must spend time developing those technological skills. Unfortunately, a technology gap between young and old has separated integrated learning with technology; however, teachers are becoming more educated in this field so that their students are able to learn more. IPads can be helpful in almost all aspects of education, but only when used properly.

Resources

Apple Inc (2013). Apple in education. Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/education/apps/

Fuglestad, T (2012) & Tiedemann, S (2012). iPads in art education. Retrieved from http://ipadsinart.weebly.com/index.html

Kevin Honeycutt (2010, May 11). Raising digital kids - art apps for the iPad. Retrieved 1/30/2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFj2KEFbmf8