Move over laptops, make room for the iPad. Laptops for students seems to be a thing of the past, quickly replaced by the iPad. Even in our own school, we are trying out iPads in some of our first grade classrooms.
I have mixed feelings about the iPad at school. One of the features that kids really like is the animated book. As a first grade teacher, I think it’s not much different from watching a movie and goes against what I’m teaching my first graders in reading. As they are reading, I want them to think about what’s happening in the story by playing a movie in their minds. If you can’t imagine what’s happening, then that’s a clue that you don’t understand what you’re reading. If the iPad is playing the movie for you, it goes against the “reading = thinking” idea that we emphasize at school. However, I do like the idea of kids using the iPad to listen to stories, allowing kids to read the words as they’re listening to them.
I looked at the apps listed in the article 5 Favorite Apps for Elementary School iPads. I’m not sure that I would use these apps in my own classroom. The suggested math app is a digital version of math drill sheets. Yes, some kids do need work on quickly recalling their 
math facts. But, I’m much rather have early finishers to play a math game that challenges kids and gets them to work on their critical thinking skills.
Another app, Whiteboard HD looks like something that would be useful for me to make charts with the class and then save them for later use. I’d be interested in trying this out. This isn’t something that would be suitable for my kids, but might be for older kids.
There is a crossword app that, like the math app, focuses on lower-lev
el skills and is more like a spelling worksheet in digital form. The word work we do at our school focuses on spelling patterns and vocabulary, rather than memorizing a list of spelling words each week.
For me, the jury’s still out on iPad use in elementary classrooms, particularly in primary classes. I think in a lot of instances they are just babysitters and don’t offer a lot in the way of challenging kids’ thinking. But I’m hoping to see some new apps to change my mind!
Laura,
Great post! I’m fired up for iPad to be a daily tool in my classroom! I enjoyed reading your perspective and truly see the benefits the iPad has a learning tool in some areas. The jury is still out for me, too. Right now, it’s a cool tool that offers some immediate gratification. However, as you mentioned, more apps need to be developed which enhances the learning process not simply entertain.