1. The Potential Impact of Using
Tablets in the Classroom
For principals
For teachers
For students
Alyssa Lindsey
ISTC 675
Towson University

2. What is a 1:1 learning
environment?
Each student has his or her own electronic
device for use in school.
This might mean a laptop, tablet, or smart
phone.
Dr. Dance plans to make BCPS a
1:1 learning environment.

3. Imagine you are a school principal. Your
superintendent sends you an email informing
you that you will be receiving enough tablets
to provide each student with one for the
upcoming school year. What steps would you
need to take to get ready?
Click the link to go to the principal wall wisher.
Record at least one way this will change how
you do your job this summer, and read what
others have said. Then continue to the next slide
to learn more!

4. Impact on Principals

Funding – this is an
expensive undertaking.

Examples:
− A school district in Los Angeles plans to
spend $500 million to provide iPads for
its 600,000 students.
− A school district in North Carolina
estimates maintaining their 1:1 learning
environment will cost $3.6 million
annually.

5. Principals will need to:

Evaluate various devices and choose the one which best
fits the school's needs

Provide time for teachers to receive professional
development on how to use the devices

Identify who will set up the devices, update them, and
troubleshoot when problems arise

Find storage in the school building for the devices

Ensure that a wireless network is in place

Communicate with parents about expectations and care

Determine a school policy for dealing with lost, broken, or
stolen devices

6. Imagine you are a classroom
teacher. Your principal sends
you an email informing you that
you will be receiving enough
tablets to provide each student
in your class, and yourself with
one for the upcoming school
year. How will this change how
you teach?
Click the button to go to the
teacher wall wisher. Record at
least one way this will change
how you do your job, and read
what others have said. Then
continue to the next slide to
learn more!

7. Teachers – get ready for some changes!
• A teacher’s role will change from instructor to facilitator.
• Most teachers are digital immigrants, while current
students are digital natives. Be prepared to switch roles
completely and learn from students!
• This is not a substitute for good instruction! A teacher’s
role is different, but no less important!
• Time to abandon previous lesson plans and instructional
practices – this is a whole new type of classroom!
• Teachers will need to both initial and continuous PD on
how to effectively use this technology.
• Teachers will need to work together with principals to
develop a plan for when students do not have their
devices.

8. When it comes to differentiation,
a 1:1 learning environment is a
dream come true!

9. Imagine you are a middle school student.
When you arrive on the first day, your
homeroom teacher gives you a tablet.
Each student is being provided with one
this year to use for class and for
homework. How will this change how you
learn, and your experience in school?
Click the button to go to the student wall
wisher. Record at least one way this will
change how you do your job, and read
what others have said. Then continue to
the next slide to learn more!

10. Impact on Students
• Students will become independent learners, rather than passive members of
an audience.
• Students will need to take responsibility, and use the devices as intended, and
not for entertainment during school.
• Shy students now have a platform to participate! Those who were hesitant to
speak in class will often feel more comfortable typing their answers or
interacting digitally.
• Organization will become much easier! Rather than trying to stay on top of
schedules, papers, assignments, and materials for various classes, everything
can be saved to the device. No more lost homework!
• There may be a learning curve for students to learn new technology. Students
will need to be patient and may become frustrated. Children and adults will
need to work together to master it!
• Straight from the source – check out how students feel about using iPads in
the classroom!

11. References
Cassidy, C. (2013, May 16). Digital education — Schools, firms starting to
integrate tablet technology into classrooms. Retrieved from
http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/22604973/article-Digital-education-
%E2%80%94-Schools--firms-starting-to-integrate-tablet-technology-into-
classrooms?instance=special_coverage_bullets_right_column.
Christensen, C. M., Horn, M. B., & Johnson, C. W. (2011). Disrupting Class: How
Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns. United States:
McGraw Hill.
Gendron, E. (2013, June 4). Two Greenwich Schools To Start New Technology
Initiative. Retrieved from http://greenwich.dailyvoice.com/schools/two-
greenwich-schools-start-new-technology-initiative.