Given the growing momentum of these trends, what does it mean for students, teachers, schools, and the education community at large? Collaborating and customizing. Educators are learning to work together, with their students, and with other experts in creating content, and are able to tailor it to exactly what they need. Critical thinking. Students are learning how to effectively find content and to discern reliable sources. Democratizing education. With Internet access becoming more ubiquitous, the children of the poorest people are able to get access to the same quality education as the wealthiest. Changing the textbook industry. Textbook publishers are finding ways to make themselves relevant to their digital audience. Emphasizing skills over facts. Curriculum incorporates skill-building.

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These days, pen-and-paper and word-processing skills are not enough to fully prepare students for writing beyond K-12. Students also need direct instruction in digital writing—or writing created or read on a computer or other Internet-connected device. Digital writing requires both traditional writing skills—knowledge of the process, conventions, organizational structure, etc.—and more advanced techniques, such as the ability to meld visual, audio, and text into a single piece.

One area where iPads are showing particular promise — both in terms of cost and usefulness — is in special education.In January, the Elkhorn district began testing iPads equipped with a $200 application that can produce speech. For some students with difficulty speaking, the iPads can replace a more traditional assistive device that costs about $8,000, resulting in significant savings for the district, said Lee Frye, the district's director of student services.The devices also blend in more easily in social settings, in school or ordering at a fast food restaurant. “Other kids think they're cool,” he said, “so there's a social benefit.”