We’re way past the point of debating technology’s worth in education. Everyone knows that it’s an essential part of day-to-day life. The young people who learn to grasp technology and extract as much power from it as possible will be successful. So, the debate is more about which device to go for and just how many is enough?
Making the leap to 1:1 (giving every teacher and learner a device) is a big jump. However, I would argue that it’s essential. In the working world, you would not be expected to share a computer with another employee. In fact, that would most likely hamper your ability to strive. It’s exactly the same in education. Having access to technology some of the time isn’t good enough. Not anymore. The world has moved on, and technological skills are swiftly becoming as embedded as writing or reading abilities. So, now we’re only left with one question. Which device is the right device?
In this blog, I’ll be presenting the argument for going 1:1 with iPad. To my mind, it’s the only real choice, and this is why…
Flexibility
The iPad is infinitely more adaptable than any other device out there. Let’s start by thinking about the external capabilities. The iPad can connect to typing keyboards, styluses, microphones, seismometers, programmable robots, trackpads, hearing aids, thermometers, printers, speakers, and the list goes on and on. This flexibility allows the device to fit any mould and, crucially, become an active part of any curriculum subject. Perhaps more importantly, the seamless connection to vital third-party aids (such as braille tablets, etc) makes the iPad wholly accessible. A massive range of cases also means that it’s possible to do anything from attaching an iPad to a tripod to swimming underwater with it.
Now, let's look internally at the software options. Microsoft and Google applications work seamlessly alongside Apple’s growing number of productivity and creativity apps. Being able to explore the ins and outs of all three software behemoths is essential when it comes to future-proofing. And then there is the App Store. The ever-evolving world of apps is quite literally at your fingertips when you use an iPad. Incredible cross-curricular apps such as Nearpod, Book Creator, Explain Everything, Quizlet and others can be as easily accessed as more specific subject-based tools like Magma Maths, GarageBand, Brushes, Scratch Jr, etc.
‘Going 1:1’ is all about maximising opportunities for every individual. One learner might plug in microphones and create compositions on GarageBand. Another might connect a keyboard and type up an entire dissertation. Education is not ‘one size fits all’, and so the technology of choice must be able to adapt accordingly.
Personalisation
As we explored, with all the internal and external options available, a child can personalise their iPad experience. Dig a little deeper, and the personalisation continues. The accessibility settings (built into every iPad) enable individuals to change the way they interact with the device to better meet their learning preferences.
For example, screen filters can be applied to dim the brightness or layer in a coloured hue that makes it easier for some learners to read and/or write on the iPad screen. ‘Speak Text’ can be switched on, which enables text to be highlighted and read aloud. Animations and movements on the device can be reduced to minimise distractions. You can even go as far as choosing ‘Live Speech’, which turns the iPad into a speaking aid. The options are wide-ranging. Some write off the accessibility settings as being purely for additional needs. However, we all have learning preferences and preferred approaches to objectives. The accessibility settings offer a way of personalising the device to meet those needs.
As you delve into the wider settings on an iPad, there are even more opportunities for personalisation. You can choose multiple languages for the keyboard if you speak multiple languages. You can change the quality of the camera if you’re an aspiring filmmaker. You can create your own shortcuts if you wish to be super efficient. On top of this, more superficial settings can be changed, like wallpapers and app layouts.
All of these minor alterations can add up to a solid foundation of personalisation. Crucially, however, the external look of the device does not change. One learner could have a wide range of accessibility settings switched on and be sitting next to a peer with very little personalisation on the go. Their iPads will look identical, and so a learner can meet their own needs without making it obvious.
I think that personalisation is key in a 1:1 setting. It’s important that young people feel ownership over their devices. It’s also important that they can express themselves and follow their own imaginative thoughts to a satisfying conclusion. You don’t want your device to hold you back or work against your preferences. The iPad actively does the opposite through flexibility and personalisation.
Creativity
When you think of an iPad, what do you think of? Sleek designs? Innovation? Popularity? Do you think about the mobility of the device? Does your head take you straight to the apps available? For me personally, I think of creativity. I think of the possibilities the iPad can unlock.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the iPad is more of a tool for the creative subjects. However, I would argue that it’s just as powerful when tackling the academic side of the curriculum. Many maths departments utilise assessment tools and screen recording capabilities to capture mathematical processes. Detailed documents can absolutely be created on an iPad, and you can research on the device in the same way that you would on any other piece of technology. I’ve also pointed towards the accessories that can be plugged into an iPad to make it even more powerful when it comes to word processing, note-taking and generally being productive. The device is no stranger to the more assignment or portfolio-heavy subjects either.
The key thing is, the iPad can do everything other devices can do and provide the best experiences for a creative learner as well. This is largely down to the multimedia functions and the ease with which you can access them. For example, Pages is an incredible word processor that makes it super easy to embed a wide range of content. The microphone is accessible for audio snippets, and the speakers will play the sound straight back to the learner. Both film and still camera options are available to capture content in the moment or add in images and footage that were previously collected. The markup tools allow for freehand drawing, and stylishly designed shapes can be embedded into documents with all the formatting options you would expect to find on any word processor. And that’s just one app!
Now consider the easy interconnection of multiple applications. Video or photography work can be enhanced by any number of apps before being saved to Photos or shared directly into another app. The same is true of any file format. One piece of work could have travelled through several applications before it is finessed into its final form. As we previously explored, each individual learner may well have a different suite of apps to play with, and so the end result is truly original. Even if all the learners have the same apps to play with, the outcome can absolutely be steered by the learner. I honestly feel that the creative experience is far more accessible and expansive on an iPad as opposed to laptops and desktops in particular.
When a school chooses technology, they have to consider the balance between consumption and creation. Is their vision for the use of the devices largely concerned with gathering information by watching, reading and listening? Or, do they want the balance to tip more towards writing, recording and capturing ideas? I think when you really drill into it, any piece of technology can cover the consumption side of things. However, lots of pieces of technology are not so well geared up when it comes to creativity. If you’re going to take the leap into becoming a 1:1 school, you'd better make sure that the technology you pick offers more than your average device.
Each element that I have explored in this blog centres around one idea. Putting the learner first. Every school does this day in and day out. The same should be true of the technology you choose to invest in. The decision shouldn’t be centred around practicalities or even the teaching staff's preference. Choosing a 1:1 device must only be about the betterment of each individual’s educational experiences. It should enhance every part of the curriculum and ultimately act as a powerful tool in the hands of the learner.
Some schools consider a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ approach. On paper, you could imagine that this offers flexibility, personalisation and creativity through the learner's own choice of technology. However, in reality, you end up with a mismatch of technological opportunities. One device might be great in science but useless in music. Another may lose its battery life by lunchtime. In a BYOD 1:1 program, the teachers can’t plan to use anything other than extremely broad internet-based apps, and as a result, the learners have a smaller pool of resources that they use. From a technical standpoint, there is no chance of managing all of the devices if they are entirely owned by the learner.
Equal opportunity for all learners is paramount. It might seem as though I am contradicting my previous thoughts on flexibility, personalisation and individualised creativity. However, the iPad strikes the balance perfectly by enabling each learner to customise their experience entirely. You can deploy hundreds of the same devices to your learners, but as soon as they have their iPad in their hands, it becomes entirely theirs.