“iPads take a place next to crayons in kindergarten” by Clarke Canfield, Associated Press The Seattle Times Published 4/12/11 Retrieved 4/16/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014752277_apusipadsabcs.html Intended Audience: taxpayers, teachers, administrators Summary: Elementary schools in Auburn, Maine, will be providing iPads to around 300 kindergarteners. The city plans to spend $200,000 on the iPads which retail for around $500 each. Advocates are enthusiastic about supplying the kids with a new learning tool that is easy to use and can access a multitude of engaging imagery, audio, and other teaching opportunities. Some, however, are hesitant to support the effort, believing the money could be more wisely spent on older students who would better appreciate and utilize the new technology.
Key Points: • Kindergarteners are getting iPads. • This effort follows similar technological initiatives in Maine in which 50% of all high school students were eventually supplied with Apple laptops. • Supporters predict a boom in the distribution of iPads and other related technological learning tools in the coming years.
Relevance: This is a refreshing step outside of the traditional teaching methods requiring pencil and paper and a great educational opportunity to familiarize young students with new technology. However, teachers and students should keep in mind that increasing technology tends to decrease social interaction and real-life experiences, so there still needs to be a healthy amount of other kinds of activity going on in the classroom.
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