The article, Get
Deeper Learning with Tablets, written by Dr. Cynthia Conn, is about how a
group of first grade teachers at Thomas Elementary School in Flagstaff, Arizona
integrated the use of tablets, specifically iPads, into their classrooms in
order to deepen the learning of their students. Using the tablets, the teachers designed a science unit on
animal habitats that would allow the students to access live webcam feeds in
order to study several different kinds of animals in their various habitats
around the world. For several
weeks the students utilized a class set of iPads to observe animals in their
natural or captive habitats and then took notes, made observations and conducted
additional research as needed.
Through the lens of this project, the author of the article,
Dr. Conn, makes several observations about the use of tablets in the
classroom. The most important
note, in my opinion, is that by using the classroom tablets in a way that
allows for “real-world experiences,” the students were able to deepen their
engagement and understanding of the content. As Dr. Conn notes, because the students were able to
conduct, “hands-on, independent exploration” using the tablets, they were able
to tap into a deeper level of understanding of the concept.
A second point made by Conn is that having continual access
to a class set of tablets is much more convenient, and time efficient, than
having to wrangle and take an entire class to a computer lab to work. The teachers mentioned in the article
were able to provide valuable experiences to their students by utilizing only a
small amount of class time because of the convenience of the in-class
tablets. Conn makes a third point
in asserting that though the technology itself plays a valuable role in the
classroom, it must always be effectively
integrated through the design of instruction. By this, Conn means that the lesson design must come
first, and then the proper technological instrument can be incorporated in
order to maximize the learning of the students.
As educators, we are always looking for ways to deepen the
learning experiences of our students, and incorporating tablets and other
mobile devices into the classroom can help to achieve that goal. Additionally, mobile devices in the
media center/library can be an invaluable addition to any campus. One way that a librarian can utilize
mobile devices through the library is simply by providing access to teachers
and students. A district is
unlikely to be able to afford class sets of tablets for every classroom, so the
library may be an excellent place for teachers to conduct lessons using mobile
devices, or to check out for classroom use. The librarian should be a key point of reference to the
teachers on campus for developing exploratory lessons that will enhance the
students’ learning through the use of mobile devices. Additionally, having some mobile devices
that students can check out independently from the library could be an
excellent way to reach some reluctant readers by enticing them with the
interactive experience and “cool factor” of a mobile device. The librarian can even pre-load the
devices with some high interest reading material and can help students set up
accounts on websites such as, Shelfari, where they can rate books and share
reviews with one another. Actions
such as these would make the reading experience more engaging for today’s students,
who are accustomed to the constant sharing of information and ideas as a way to
yield a deeper experience. By
establishing the use of mobile devices through the library, the librarian can
play a key role in helping the campus facilitate deeper learning experiences
for all students.
Conn, C. (2013). Get
Deeper Learning with Tablets. Learning & Leading With Technology, 41(2),
35-37.
