Initial results of a 2011 study of 16 new Kindergarten classes in Auburn, Maine has found that students with iPads scored highest in all categories of literacy testing.
The initial results are in: iPads increased kindergarten literacy scores according to the study. Dr. Mike Muir’s presentation to the School Committee on 2/15/2012 detailed a study in which 8 classes of new kindergarten students were given iPads, and 8 others used traditional teaching methods. All of the students were given standardized literary assessments in September (pre-iPad), and again in November (post-iPad).
As stated in the report:
“students in the iPad classes outperformed non- iPad students, on average, across every literacy measure they were tested on. Most of the performance gains observed in the iPad classes were modest, however, the 129 iPad students showed substantial improvement on the Hearing and Recording Sounds in Words (HRSIW) assessment, which measures a child’s level of phonemic awareness and ability to represent sounds with letters.
Why might the iPad classes do better? Sue Dorris, who serves as principal at the participating East Auburn Community School explained, “We are seeing high levels of student motivation, engagement and learning in the iPad classrooms. The apps, which teach and reinforce fundamental literacy concepts and skills, are engaging, interactive and provide children with immediate feedback. What’s more, teachers can customize apps to match the instructional needs of each child, so students are able to learn successfully at their own level and pace.”
Sherwood Heights Elementary School Principal Laura Shaw summed up the district’s work to date, “Teachers have seamlessly blended the use of iPads into their everyday best practices. It has become part of the daily ritual of assessing students’ needs and targeting those needs in the most effective way possible. At times, they see that the need can be met best using the technology of the iPad. At other times, using paper and pencil, games, manipulatives and more traditional methods works best.”
Auburn kindergarten teacher at Fairview Elementary School, Michelle Green thinks, “Being part of the Advantage 2014 iPad project is very special. It has been an eye opening opportunity to watch children use a tool of technology to learn in a way I never did as a child.” Michelle’s colleague at Washburn Elementary School, Jess Prue, agrees, “We are not only giving kids a new engaging way to learn, we are also preparing them for technology in the future. It is exciting!”
Read the full report at : Advantage 2014 Research Presentation to School Committee
February 25, 2012
Stephanie
Now I want one more!!!!! These things are so cool! Now I just need to find the money!