The iPad: Tool or Toy?

Where does the iPad fit in the life of today’s child? Is it a tool or toy? Is it really an either/or proposition? Do you ever feel like you have to justify (to yourself, family, friends) letting your child get engrossed with the iPad? Do thoughts such as these crowd your mind?

Reading is important!

Digging in the dirt is important!

Building gas stations is important!

Pretending to be a pirate is important!

The iPad is just a toy!!

Actually, it’s much more than a toy.

Really? “Prove it,” the guilty mind-invading thoughts challenge us.

Some apps, such as Penelope the Purple Pirate and Gerry the Giraffe make it really easy to “prove it” by providing parent-teacher guides that show us how to extend the learning into the real world.

Some apps, such as Opposite Day and Splash Math, provide feedback in the form of reports that can be emailed to parents/teachers, giving us written “proof” that our kids are learning something.

Parents and teachers of kids with special needs are finding out that the iPad is a tremendous addition to their toolbox.  The easy accessibility of the iPad and the wide variety of apps don’t just reinforce other learning opportunities. They open up a whole new world.

For kids with reading difficulties, there are a wealth of alphabet, phonics, and sight word apps, many of which are offered free or have lite versions. The built-in games hold innate appeal for kids who are used to video games and the challenge of improving their scores.

There’s a wide range of book apps for working on reading comprehension skills.  As I said in this post on my blog, “I think the key in using interactive book apps with older kids, that are apparently intended for younger kids, is to know what standards and goals you have in mind.  How you present the books to your children/students will make the difference in how receptive they are to reading the books.”

Check out www.appymall.com for an amazing amount of information about educational apps of all kinds and how they meet the developmental and educational needs of children.

Sometimes, the “proof is in the pudding” as we share in the fun of learning by playing games such as Toca Store and Wood Puzzles. Everything we do doesn’t have to be justified, right?

The real proof, to me, that what our kids do on the iPad translates into real world learning, is seeing my four-year-old grandson move seamlessly from reading books or playing games on the iPad to incorporating that knowledge into his play with books, dirt, costumes, and blocks.

The most important thing to remember, after playing on the iPad, is to blow on a dandelion!

Top photo courtesy of Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/58331926@N07/6664788463/sizes/z/in/photostream/

All other photo’s courtesy of the author.

Sign up for “The Spark” at https://nancybarthutoring.com  and you’ll get a complimentary copy of the eBook The Wonderful World of Apps for Educators of All Levels.