Welcome to the 'iPad in Education' web site - concerned with using Apple's iPad for learning and teaching. Although this is based in the UK, the site's content will reflect practice from other counties and contexts in order to explore and learn from a wide field. I am Ian Wilson a freelance Apple Education Mentor based in the north west of England (Twitter: @Ian__Wilson). I have set up this site as I believe the iPad signals the opportunity for a transformation in how technology is used in schools, colleges and universities. I am interested in looking at all age ranges, all abilities across all areas of the curriculum and keen to see if the iPad makes technology more transparent and cross-curricular as it should be.
It's really exciting to be able to announce our research into the use of iPads. After a successful implementation at Longfield Academy in Kent and two terms of embedded use, the research shows some incredibly positive impacts on teaching and learning. The report on the research, carried out on behalf of Naace and supported by 9ine Consulting is available below. It outlines the conclusions of one of the most extensive studies so far undertaken into the use of tablets for learning. As one teacher put it, "The iPads have revolutionised teaching", with appropriate use of iPads helping to enhance learning across the curriculum and encouraging collaborative learning. Whilst it's early days for evaluating the impact on achievement, there are significant gains in quality and standard of pupil work and progress and potential for extending use even further. As more schools across the country consider adopting the use of tablets in classrooms, the messages from this research will be incredibly helpful for those who are deciding on their next steps.