Students to Begin Using iPads, But Will Learning Improve?

This fall the Wellesley Public Schools Department will be expanding their one-to-one iPad program to all fifth grade classes but not all schools that rollout expanded technology into classrooms are doing it right.

"Far too often, school leaders fail to consider how technology might dramatically improve teaching and learning, and schools frequently acquire digital devices without discrete learning goals and ultimately use these devices in ways that fail to adequately serve students, schools, or taxpayers," a report by the Center for American Progress says.

Wellesley is hoping to take that trend and turn it on its head. Fifth grade teachers began professional development earlier this year.

"The professional development isn’t about how to use the iPad," Technology Director for Wellesley Public Schools Rob Ford said "We’re interested in the new opportunities for teachers to improve learning."

There are several things schools that have successfully done to adapt new technology programs have in common.

"Several schools have successfully experimented with such reforms, and in various forms, the schools will allow highly effective teachers to focus less on administrative duties and more on teaching," the Center for American Progress said. "Under this approach, schools will often use support staff to take over noninstructional activities for highly effective teachers such as their lunch and recess duties, while more effective teachers take on responsibility for more students."

As part of the program in Wellesley a new position, One-to-One Coordinator, was created. This person will help train the teachers in effective techniques for using iPads in the classrooms.