Team+3_2

7.References
The Universal Design of Learning (UDL) is an educational method that creates learning environments to promote equal success for all learners. Current professionals in the education field and those aspiring to be in the future, are learning how to adapt and modify lessons within their curriculum by using multiple resources so that UDL is effective.
 * Introduction: **

Teachers are quickly turning to technology as a primary resource. One of the most well-known tools are none other than Apple’s iPad. iPads have quickly worked their way into elementary, middle, secondary, and higher education classrooms; however, these tools do not come without controversy. As we learn more about the way this technology works, the more opportunities there are to discover advantages and disadvantages of implementation of iPads into the everyday classroom.

The iPad was introduced to the world in April 2010. Since it’s beginning, the iPad has forgone many changes regarding it’s use and mobility. Originally, the iPad had Wifi and 3G capabilities; however, since March of 2012, the iPad is now equipped with an amazing Wifi and 4G LTE connection.
 * History: **

Since we are currently living in the iPad’s beginning, the history of this device is still being created. Technology use in the classroom has been and will be beneficial to all students in the future and the iPad will play a huge role in this transition.

Like any new piece of technology, as consumers we need to weigh the products advantages and disadvantages. With the iPad, there are many advantages especially for classroom use. College Mogul reports that there are five major benefits to using the iPad in a classroom. These five benefits include “ Interactivity, access to educational materials and libraries, teachers can create their own study guides, the benefits of video chat, and cloud computing and studying (College Mogul, 2013).”
 * Advantages: **

Students today are accustomed to integrating technology into their everyday life that is why engaging them with interactive educational technology is important. The iPad’s apps features allow for interactive learning and collaboration. Not only does the iPad offer interactive learning that engages visual, audio and touch but it also allows for connection to a multitude of libraries and online resources. For example if a student is learning about the water cycle and needs clarification, they could simply turn on their iPad and within seconds search for a video or tutorial about the water cycle. Among other benefits include the “highly targeted lessons” (College Mogul, 2013). Teachers can share information with their students such in as graphs, assignments, and readings. The lesson plans can be created for whole class use or individualized for each student and shared accordingly. This is useful in effort to reach every student and customizing their lessons based on their needs and interests. One of the features the iPad hold is the ability to video chat. The iPad has a front and rear facing camera allowing for pictures and video capabilities. In education these tools can be used in an effective manner. One way a teacher may incorporate video chat is for studying. By using video chat students do not need to meet in real life, which for some may not be an option. Video chat may save students time by eliminating arranging where to physically meet. Lastly, and perhaps one of the iPad’s greatest features is it’s Cloud computing system. College Moguel describes the cloud as, “Cloud computing allows for study books, notes and ideas to be stored on the web, guaranteeing access anywhere, anytime. Students will find it much easier to brainstorm, to do their homework and to share ideas when all of their notes and guidebooks are stored safely in the cloud (College Mogul, 2013).

Although the iPad seems to be unstoppable to most Apple consumers, there are aspects to this “product of gold” that seem to irk people the wrong way. To start, technological behaviors seem to be a point of high concern. In a study conducted by the University of Notre Dame and reported in Forbes article titled “Pros and Cons of iPads in the Classroom”, stated, “more than half the students reported feeling frustrated when highlighting text and taking notes within e-books on the iPad” (Woyke, 2011). Another issue that was mentioned dealt with the fact that multiple windows could not be displayed as the typical computer. The biggest problem at hand is the cost of the product. According to Apple’s website, to purchase an iPad Mini, it will take at least $329 out of someone’s pocket for just the most simplistic version. A concern of many teachers, in particular special educators, since the product is so expensive, there is a risk of breaking the piece of equipment. Many would have the comeback of stating to purchase a case, but ones that would be most appropriate are $69 just for the most simple version (Otterbox, 2013).
 *  Disadvantages: **

The usage of iPads in traditional classrooms is a growing phenomenon. In traditional classrooms, the students talents and comprehension varies greatly on a student to student basis. Educators must try and find a way to help students that may be falling behind, as well as continue to challenge the students who understand the material without holding the student back. In a classroom with limited access to technology, a teacher may be forced to give a fixed assignment to every student, which could lead to conflict with the previous problem of various student comprehension. The use of iPads allows the teacher the opportunity to reach out to each student individually in order to find the correct level of difficulty necessary. The educator has the chance to manipulate the lesson for each student through individual folders or applications that the student is granted access to.
 * Regular Education Classroom: **

The iPad has an ever growing role in the field of special education. The iPad’s use is not limited to the classroom; instead it is utilized in many different aspects to better the lives of students. iPads are used anywhere from making picture based daily schedules to practicing writing skills, to making a social story or recording video data for video modeling purposes. iPad’s are also used by professionals such as speech and language pathologists during daily sessions with students. There are programs that allow students to engage verbally through play based games on the iPad. Speech and language pathologists also utilize programs that track student’s progress by using the iPad as an interactive tool. Perhaps one of the most common forms of communication tools used by nonverbal students is the iPad. With more and more programs (apps) such as Proloquo and Proloquo2Go available at an affordable price compared to older assistive technology the iPad is the popular and accessible choice for many. For students with special needs learning to write can be challenging, the iPad offers many apps that interact with the student in an engaging manner. These programs range in difficulty and cater to the student’s ability level. The iPad has added a new dimension to learning and engagement in the special education world. The possibilities and uses are endless and the impact they have on the lives of students is remarkable.
 * Special Education: **

Teachers are able to correctly examine and control difficulty of content on a student to student basis. Amy Heimerl, a kindergarten teacher of 22 students, mentions that the use of individual student folders from a large library allows her to specialize each student’s learning process. She says, “For example, in one student’s math folder, she might put a number recognition app. But another student who is ready for adding and subtracting might have an addition and subtraction app, and no need for the number recognition app.” (Apple, 2013)
 * Educator Comments: **

The iPad also allows Kristi Meeuwse, another kindergarten teacher, the ability to create her own lessons through the iBook Author app in order to facilitate the reading comprehension process of her students. Meeuwse creates her own books and uses widgets, both entertaining, like spiders that move, and comprehensional, like quizzes on the material. Along with creating herself, iPad allows her students to create material, whether simple or not, they are allowed to create their own works. She pointed to the iPads effectiveness by saying, “In the past, about 35 percent of Meeuwse’s students would enter first grade reading above grade level. Now, for the second year in a row, 100 percent of her students are moving on reading above grade level.”(Apple, 2013)


 * References: **

Apple. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/ Bonnington, C. (n.d.). Retrieved from [|__http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/tech/innovation/ipad-solid-education-tool/index.html__]

Flores, M., Musgrove, K., Renner, S., Hinton, V., Strozier, S., Franklin, S., & Hill, D. (2012, June). A Comparison of Communication Using the Apple iPad and a Picture-based System Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/07434618.2011.644579. In Informa Healthcare. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from [|__http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/07434618.2011.644579__]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hu, W. (2011, January 4). Math That Moves: Schools Embrace the iPad. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from [|__http://cmapspublic3.ihmc.us/rid=1L3024L5Z-5B9PBH-104R/iPadsLaptopsinSchool.pdf__]

[|__http://store.apple.com/us/ipad__]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Johny, G. (March, 2013). College Mogul. Retrieved from [|__http://www.collegemogul.com/ipads-in-the-classroom/__]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kaohara, D., van der Meer, L., Ramdoss, S., Reilly, M., Lancioni, G., Davis, T., Rispoli, M., & Lang, R. (n.d.). Retrieved from [|__http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891422212001941__]

[|__http://www.otterbox.com/ipad-4-with-retina-display-cases/ipad-4-with-retina-display-cases,default,sc.html__] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sheppard, D. (2011). Reading with iPads – the difference makes a difference. In www.minnisjournals.com. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from [|__http://www.minnisjournals.com.au/articles/ipads%20et%20t3%2011.pdf__]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solomon, G. (2010). Web 2.0 how- to for educators. Washington, DC : international Society for Technology in Education.

Woyke, E. (n.d.). Retrieved from []