Using iPad2 for a Graduate Practicum Course.

Abstract

iPads and iPhones continue to impact academia, but the iPad2 provides features that could enhance teacher education programs. This paper addresses how eight graduate students and a faculty used iPad2 to support a graduate practicum course. Participants were asked to report how they used their iPad2 each week in the form of a written log and complete a survey after seven weeks. Participants used the camera or video feature to create educational tutorials, record video logs, record interviews, capture student footage for parent night presentations, record guest speaker presentations for future playback, archive students acting in performances for homework instruction, document follow up communication after professional development sessions. Others used Apps to improve delivery of instruction and record student collaborative group work with video and camera footage. Over 86% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that if given a class set of iPad2's, student learning and performance would improve.