Content+Area+Research

Photo courtesy of http://waynerock.org/?p=951 = = =iPads in Special Education =

Concerns:
Parents may be concerned when they find out that their students have iPads in the class. Maybe they have never heard of learning being done on these technologies, maybe they've just heard about all of the cool, neat games and "apps" that seem so popular among the youth these days. Some parents may not want their children to be getting on the "Camera" application or even "Youtube" for that matter. What if there are unacceptable websites that a child tries to visit that they're not able to access even at their own home? What is considered inappropriate to the parents? Parents probably will wonder if having such an expensive tool is costing them any money? They may think that it's great to have something popular and so prevalent in today's society, but they may not be willing to accept it for their child's sake if it's coming out of their own pocket.
 * 1. Too much gaming going on and not enough learning **
 * 2. How is there going to be restrictions on certain inappropriate things? **
 * 3. What's the purpose of using such an expensive piece of technology? **

Suggestions:
**1. Too much gaming?** There are ways to delete applications that will not be beneficial to a student's learning. Whenever an application needs to be purchased, there will be a password requested and as long as the students do not know the password, then the teacher can monitor what's being downloaded on the iPads and if it's learning material or not. I could also provide a list of educational applications for the parents so they would have a better idea of what I am using in the classroom. If there were further questions or concerns, I could host a parent night where they could come and use the iPads with their child and see for themselves the educational value that they have to offer!

**2. How are the iPads going to be kid-friendly?** There are ways to delete applications on the iPads just by clicking it and erasing it. If an application has no educational value, then it will take less than five seconds for a teacher to erase it or hide it. Also, Youtube may be used for educational value at times but in my experience, children know how to work Youtube very well. It may be best to just block Youtube altogether and if a student needs to get on, a teacher can grant their permission. The school system also has restrictions that does not allow anyone to even reach inappropriate sites. Not even teachers can go to websites such as Facebook, Myspace, etc from their teacher computer. **3. Why iPads?** iPads prove to be helpful in the Special Education classroom by providing a voice to the children who don't have one. For those who are deaf, it provides animation, visual, colors that are not given by the normal textbook or even hands-on lessons. Teachers must apply for a grant to receive iPads in the classroom and it does not take money out of parents' pockets if their children are fortunate enough to play with them.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Links:

 * 1) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3755865 - **Scholastic -** Talks about a NY school that received iPads, the awareness that is raised among the nation, and how teachers need to know how to work them too or else they will not be beneficial to the students.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://atclassroom.blogspot.com/2011/01/computers-vs-ipads-in-special-education.html - A site that provides pros, cons, educational reasons, and videos of using an iPad in the classroom.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/07/11/putting-the-ipad-to-work-in-elementary-classrooms.aspx - After a lull in technology's progress, this Students with Learning Disabilities Teacher thinks that iPads are especially useful. The iPads keep the students engaged and are lightning fast. She has been very impressed with how many applications there are and has found that there really is "an app for that."
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://nyscateworkshop.pbworks.com/w/page/33097132/The%20iPad%20in%20the%20Special%20Ed%20Classroom - Talks about the possibilities that are offered from the iPads from its graphics, audio and multi-touch dimensions. Also provides applications that Special Education teachers and students might like to use.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://abcnewspapers.com/2011/01/17/ipad-pilot-program-brings-new-ideas-to-special-education/ - Talks about a school district that is giving iPads and iTouchs to their students in the special education room. They are excited to see how the iPads will target the students specific learning needs.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">iPads Used By Students with Disabilities
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This video shows the pros for using iPads with kids who are nonverbal:

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<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">iPads Used By Students with Disabilities
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A boy with down syndrome and his mom show how vital a piece of technology can be to one's life.

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