The iPad goes to school

At the eApril conference I attended the presentation by Antoine van Beemt on the use of iPads in schools. Next to the discussion I heard some interesting remarks on the use of technology by young people, that we should reckon with when we implement technology in education.

Diversity in use of technology

First of all some food for thought: the dissertation of Antoine. In his research he concluded that Young people use technology very diverse. He found four categories of users:

• traditionalists (text oriented) 40%
• networkers (combi of text and images) 40%
• gamers (different visual) 10%
• producers (authoring devices) 10%

Through time these numbers stay the same.

It’s important for teachers to be aware of this diversity and find ways to translate this diversity to their education.

Students mislead their teachers

Most teachers think young people know more about new technology then the teachers. Antoine made an interesting remark on this matter: Young people are technology minded, but not technology savvy. Most teachers are mislead by the students. As it comes to new technology students just TRY and learn, that doesn’t mean they know what they are doing. And here education comes in. Teachers have a task to help students to be aware what they are doing with the new technology.

Introducing new technology

Another interesting focus on the use of technology in education by Antoine is the following quote:

“The introduction of new technology needs playground period. Give students playtime (not immediate start with learning)”

Antoine is critically towards all new technology. Not just throw it in, but first experiment and ask yourself: what is the learning problem and how can I connect with the diversity of experiences and preferences of students.

Use of social media

A possible perspective on future learning, is that we focus our education on ‘ connectivism’. In this we learn students to connect and start developing learning networks. I agree with this perspective. Sometimes students respond negatively to the idea of using social media in education, as this would interfere with their personal lives. I think that we have to make them understand that as a result of technology the world has (and is) changed. Learning is ongoing and personal and public worlds are more connected then ever.

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