The Power of iPads

 The power of the iPad is unmistakable. Since before the time of the industrial revolution the delivery of education has remained basically unchanged. Teachers disseminate knowledge through lecture and literature. Students show their understanding by recording their thoughts onto paper. Through this system millions have been educated, and obviously some have thrived. However, there are many who have not. We may not be able to put exact numbers on the percentage of students who were not able to learn in this way, but as educators we have come to understand that while a person may not be able to learn and demonstrate their understanding in this traditional way, they are certainly able to learn and demonstrate their understanding in other ways. This is where technology can be a game changer for those students who do not thrive in a traditional classroom. There are so many technologies available today that can make the difference for struggling students. Smartboards, CoWriter and Kurzweil, to name a few, are new technologies which are being used in some classrooms which have made a difference for students. However, for shear versatility and price point the ipod Touch has got to be the best and most dramatic bang for the educational buck. 

The quality and the versatility of the apps available today are almost unimaginable. I have paid more for a single textbook than the going rate for one of these devices. However, the possibilities and potential of these devices are staggering. Whether it is giving voice to those who are silent, or access to knowledge for those who would otherwise be denied, the ipod has a tool to fit almost any need. It has become a common joke to say- "oh, there is an app for that!" Well, before I began to incorporate the iPod into my teaching, I did not appreciate how true this was. Once I began to search the iTunes Store, taking Assistive Technology courses and attending Webinars, I began to fully appreciate the variety and the quality of the apps that are available. Whether you are teaching how the mouth works to produce sounds, to basic number concepts there are applications for the iPod that will make the material not only accessible but also engaging. I am excited to be entering the profession of teaching at such an exciting time. The technology that is available for students and people with disabilities today, has never been greater. More than any other technology it is the iPod that I believe will make the difference in the lives of our students.