There’s an App for That: How Two Elementary Classrooms Used iPads to Enhance Student Learning and Achievement

Corey Mckenna

doi:10.5923/j.edu.20120205.05

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to research how two elementary school classrooms used iPads to enhance student learning and achievement. Participants were two first-year teachers' classrooms in a small one-school school district in Central California that was comprised of 38 students. Each classroom contained a classroom set of iPads used during English Language Arts and Mathematics lessons. The experimental research design study was conducted over a 3-month period beginning in January 2011. Two sets of groups—a control group and an experimental group—were given both iPad and non-iPad lessons. Data was collected for both groups and analysed. Findings included small increases in both classrooms in reading and math when iPads lessons were compared with lessons that were conducted in a traditional non-iPad method. It was concluded that the use of iPads enhanced student learning and achievement and served as another learning modality for elementary school students.

Highlights

IntroductionA paper and pencil is no longer needed to teach a math lesson
In some elementary schools, a paper and pencil is no longer needed to teach a math lesson
How does student achievement increase through the use of an iPad in two elementary school classrooms? the purpose of this study was to research how two elementary school classrooms used iPads to enhance student learning and achievement

Summary

Introduction

A paper and pencil is no longer needed to teach a math lesson. Introduced in 2010, the Apple iPad heralded a new age of technological convergence and promised to bring mobile technologies into every home and classroom[11]. Students can be more engaged than ever before and create their own math equations using the Alien Equation app on the iPad (“Apple”). Sentence structure diagrams on a chalkboard are a thing of the past that grammar apps can be downloaded for the iPad through “Tap To Learn” software. In many ways, these new forms of communications technologies have drastically changed the environment in classrooms and the overall student attitude towards learning (“Technology and Education Reform”). With technology available at a child’s fingertips, they become the ones to manipulate the activity and can actively make decisions regarding the lesson

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