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STA teachers test new tablet computers for classroom use

About one month ago, members of the STA faculty and technology team began testing tablets, portable personal computers equipped with touchscreen capabilities. Many brands of tablets are being tested at STA, according to technology team member Jeff Zimmerman. Teachers, not students would use this tool in the classroom.

“[The tablet] is essentially a laptop, with touch capabilities,” Zimmerman said. “The teachers testing them will help us determine if these would be beneficial, or if just having laptops would be better.”

STA science teachers Terry Conner, Renee Blake, Mary Montag and math teacher Jeanella Clark have all tested this new gadget. Clark began testing the tablet in January, and believes it would not be beneficial in her classroom.

“I don’t see any benefit in my classroom,” Clark said. “It wouldn’t function any different than a normal computer.”

Principal of academic affairs Barb McCormick believes the tablets will make teaching easier.

“STA teachers are testing tablet PC’s to see if the mobile devices would assist in the teaching process,” McCormick said. “Administration and teachers are considering the use of mobile/smart devices for data collection during classroom walk throughs.”

However, Clark believes that tablets would be more helpful for students rather than teachers.

“I see more benefit to the students because instead of typing notes you could write them,” Clark said. “We could go completely paperless if we had them.”

McCormick explains that using tablets is a much efficient way of collecting data.

“The tablet allows for handwriting to be converted to typed text as an anecdotal record of classroom observations,” McCormick said. “I was hoping the tablets would provide a better format for gathering information.”

Ultimately, Clark would rather have a laptop than a tablet.

“A tablet is definitely cool and the functions are absolutely amazing,” Clark said. “But if I had the choice between having a laptop and a tablet, I would choose a laptop because it would be more beneficial for me.”

McCormick says that the objective is to make teaching and learning the ideal experience.

“I am confident that STA will continue to investigate technology that will provide optimal teaching and learning environments for both teachers and students,” McCormick said. “The tablets are a part of this investigative process.”

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  • M

    MattAug 19, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Seems to me you haven’t done much research. Read this: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/05/09/schools-see-rising-scores-with-ipads/ “Educators say students who use the touch-screen devices for class appear to be more engaged in their studies. Students can view their school work anywhere and eMail their teachers anytime.
    It seems to be making a difference: Test scores of iPad-using students are climbing.” You can make a free account to read the whole article and more on the subject.

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  • R

    RebeccaApr 20, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    uhhmm during the four years i spent at the academy i learned just fine with good ol’ whiteboards and notebooks. it’s a little bit obscene how much money we’re willing to waste on some nifty gadgets that in the long run are not going to be a huge benefit to our learning. it seems to me that all of the time spent trying to manage moodle/powerschool/netbooks is already hindering girls’ learning, so why add anything on to it? come on STA, slow down.

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