Dive Brief:
- Two teachers, one from an elementary school and one from a university, have conducted a survey related to the effective use of iPads in the classroom, examining whether they work equally for all student and teacher populations.
- The survey is small in scope and informal, looking at 15 "pre-service teacher" interns who were given iPads to use in the classroom.
- Among its takeaways: Tech-savvy digital natives still need as much training on some apps as their teachers; a variety of tech devices (not just iPads) can boost engagement when used as tools in project-based learning, or among hard-to-reach or oppositional students; and that engagement with the devices can potentially create a more even playing field for students.
Dive Insight:
The limited and informal nature of the study does signal that it should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt.
Currently, Apple is pushing to regain its share of the classroom device space, which its iPads previously held. Google-powered Chromebooks now claim that top spot in schools, thanks largely to a significantly lower price tag and a preloaded, ready-to-use suite of tools like Google Apps for Education (GAFE). Chromebooks have also been found to be more durable.
Despite the slide, Apple CEO Tim Cook has insisted that the company is poised to make a move on the ed market. He previously said that "iPads are set apart from the competition by their education-focused native apps and integration with school curriculum," contrary to Chromebooks, which require a web connection in order for GAFE to be utilized.
