In the previous posting, Marissa addressed the growing trend of iPad integration in elementary classrooms, even at the Kindergarten level, but soon, iPads will likely not be the number-one, go-to tablet computer for education. Toshiba, among other companies, is producing competitive learning software and devices that may be more attractive to educators and students, with technology that surpasses that of an iPad. The article, “New Instructional Technology for the 2011-2012 School Year,” reports that over 400 school systems have purchased iPads for classrooms and will be initiating iPad integrated curriculums this Fall, 2011. This article can be found at: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/09/12/new-instructional-technology-for-the-2011-12-school-year/
The Toshiba “Thrive” is an Android-based tablet released in July 2011 that, like the recently released iPad 2, features a dual camera setup, enabling teachers to video-conference with a student or group of students. If a teacher, for example, wants her third grade class to practice using a ruler to measure tiles in a hallway or items throughout the school building, she could send them on their mission in groups, with a Thrive. Then, at a specified time, the groups could all video-conference using their tablets to share their measurement findings. Unlike the iPad 2, the Thrive offers built-in mini and full SD card slots, as well as a USB port, enabling students and teachers to quickly and easily transfer files across platforms. A simple feature that just might make the Thrive more attractive to educators than the iPad 2 is the battery that can be replaced by teachers themselves, rather than having to send the battery off to the manufacturer to be replaced and specially installed. Tablets that are required to be shipped for battery replacement create lag time in the classroom during which the educator and students are unable to use tablet technology.
Toshiba and Apple aren’t the only technology companies targeting educators, as many others, like Fujitsu and Brainchild are also. For the past few years though, it seems like iPads and iPods were the overriding vessels for educational technology. This will quickly change, as tech companies are advertising more competitive pricing, more advanced features, more portable products, and more capable, interactive, and user-friendly software than ever before. Tech companies are finding ways to make their products more cutting-edge than others already on the market, and then convincing educators that they have the hardware and software that are essential to student success and AYP. Teachers across America are already extremely stressed due to pressure at the national, state, and regional level to produce higher, and sometimes very unrealistic, academic scores among students to meet AYP and other demands. Now, teachers are also being highly pressured to use technology in the classroom. School systems are creating new job positions for technology specialists that are meant to help teachers successfully integrate technology in their lessons to enhance learning. Will this added pressure to integrate technology be positive for teachers and increase learning in the classroom, or will it perhaps make teachers even more stressed than they already are, therefore hindering student learning? Is today’s increasing competition in the instructional technology realm driven by the technology companies or school systems, or both? Do you know of any other technology that is fighting for a spot in classrooms?
I did not know Toshiba created a tablet to rival the ipad! I am an Android user so this is exciting for me personally and good for the education field too. I am a firm believer in competition leading to the best possible product and services for the consumer. I am glad Apple is not cornering the tablet market. The new features on the Toshiba tablet seem very applicable to education as Raleigh mentioned. I could see the video conference feature used as virtual office hours at colleges for example. However, in the end this is just another piece of technology that will only be useful if it is used in an effective manner with effective teaching. I hope teachers find a way to incorporate new technologies because they know it will be beneficial to the student, not because they are pressured by school boards.
ReplyDeleteLike Jordyn, I hadn't heard of the Toshiba Thrive either and quickly looked it up to find more information. The no-slip back cover could be a great feature for kids using the tablet in the classroom, too!
ReplyDeleteI think it will be interesting to see whether schools go with the iPad or another brand of tablet such as the Toshiba Thrive. Raleigh mentioned many features of the Thrive that would be great additions for use in the classroom over the iPad, but I wonder if more schools will stick with the iPad just because of brand familiarity.
All of the discussion about using tablets for education, especially in elementary schools, led me to look up information about educational apps. I found this website that lists a few popular Android education apps: http://www.letstalktablets.com/10-must-have-android-apps-for-education/. The Flashcards Study Helper could be a great app to help students, especially with vocabulary words. I really could have used it in high school and undergraduate when I went through hundreds of index cards trying to learn Spanish vocab and conjugations.
I agree that the pressure to integrate technology can cause even more stress for teachers. School districts need to heavily weigh the advantages and disadvantages of tablets before requiring their use in classrooms. Since tablets are becoming more popular in elementary classrooms, are there special training sessions or seminars that show teachers how to best utilize tablet technology in the classroom?
I think you brought up many good points in your posting after introducing the Toshiba Thrive to us. This is something I haven't heard about, but it definitely seems to improve all of the areas where the iPad was lacking. After being in the education program here at JMU for the past four years, I have had the opportunity to observe a variety of teachers. Some teachers use technology for everything, and some teachers don't use technology at all. However, I have seen both opposite sides of the spectrum that both seem to work. Many older teachers seem to not incorporate as much technology into their classroom as younger teachers do because it becomes more of a headache than a good outcome for them.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is definitely being encouraged to be incorporated in the classroom more and more everyday. "Uses of Technology" is even a section education students must include in their lesson plans here at JMU. I think technology, if used appropriately, can definitely increase learning in the classroom.
I love technology, I creates sooo many new ways to learn and I did not know about this new Thrive Product, It's cool that it take up in those areas where the IPAD lacks. Whoever thought of that was brilliant now Toshiba has one up on Apple. I think the Thrive would be a great feature and it would create more interactive learning. This introduction will create some pressure for teachers but when do teachers not feel pressured, at least this will create some benefits to the students and the teachers once they both get the hang of it. Student learning won't be hindered if the new aspects of the technology is introduced properly it just takes some trial and error. Either way it a great product and I really like the idea of it.
ReplyDeleteThis blog topic was very interesting to me. I am surprised not to see the use of iPads where I work; however, I suspect it won't be long until they are everywhere in the manufacturing industry. These products are so light, portable and versatile that they would make it easy to use right on the production floor. Supervisors, engineers, operators, etc. could easily access various applications related to the job. Lean Six Sigma consultants could easily do statistical work just about anywhere. It would appear that the schools are well ahead of industry in this respect. Here is an intresting article I found on this topic.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219421/The_iPad_takes_on_manufacturing
As with everyone else, I had never heard of this version of the iPad. It definitely sounds to me as though it is more useful for classroom utilities compared to the iPad simply because it has a USB slot and the battery can be changed easier. I think at first that these technological advances being added to the classroom will overwhelm teachers, especially those not as technologically savvy as others, but I think as with everything else they will become accustomed to the new changes. Though the technologies will only get more in depth and more learning will be involved, once these new gadgets become a part of everyday school life, I think it should get easier on the teachers. I can't really think of anything new or exciting that the class most likely hasn't heard of but it is interesting how the use of cell phones for classroom purposes has come about. Now teachers can take polls, etc. via the student's cell phones and of course this brings about interest to the students because it's utilizing something they are already attached to and adding a learning spin on it. The only problem is, as with other technology, there has to be restrictions on how these devices are used and school systems/teachers have to ensure that students are solely using these devices for learning, not personal, purposes. This is something that can be very hard to control. Can't wait to see where technology leads the classroom next!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post with interesting articles! I definitely agree that technology is entering the classroom, its now simply a matter of which platform and software.
ReplyDeleteI think the Ipad is so popular largely because so many people are familiar with it from the mp3 Ipod, which seemed to grow into the Ipad. Marketing and awareness have many people purchasing Ipads, but as you pointed out Raleigh, something as simple as a removable battery and a usb drive will quickly make other technology more popular and more appropriate for the classroom.
I also think that newer devices like the Toshiba Thrive may have an edge on the Ipad, because so many people are familiar with using the Ipad recreationally; this could make them more of a distraction in the classroom. Technology that is introduced into a classroom setting and only used in the classroom may have a whole different context to the learner, and become a more effective learning tool. It will be interesting to see how the school systems handle things like this as more and more technology becomes available for lower and lower prices.
I believe technology is great for new, young teachers, who have experience with the technology. I don't believe that ipads and other devices are necessary for learning, and more seasoned teachers might find the change cumbersome when already pressured by other sources. People have been learning for hundreds of years, and the act of learning is nothing new. Technology is changing the face of education, but not the underlying learning and creation of knowledge. Again, technology is great! But technology is (right now) expensive and cumbersome for some schools and teachers. Having each elementary-aged child use an ipad seems a little much, especially when there are thousands of children in the US can't even even get textbooks. There needs to be some realistic viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteGreat article!
Just wanted to let you know that as of today, Dec. 11th, the Toshiba Thrive 7 inch tablets are now on the market! (The 10 inch thrives were previously the only ones I could find on the market.) I've read a few blogs/review websites noting that there were a few bugs in the original Android Honeycomb platform, (like the tablet going into sleep mode, but then not re-awakening), but that some of these bugs have been corrected with newer Honeycomb updates.
ReplyDeleteCheck it all out here:
http://us.toshiba.com/tablets/thrive/7-inch/16gb
http://bugbig.com/toshiba-thrive-7-inch-slate-officially-drops-tomorrow-december-11th