iPad+Program


 * Project Description **

iPad Program // ESL Teacher Education Students //

An analysis of students’ West B scores upon entering the teacher education program shows a trend in ESL students’ strengths and weakness. Students first attempt in the exam successfully pass the reading portion of the test. Two other areas of the West B exam, Math and Writing, however, suggest ESL students have difficulties. Often these students require several attempts before they are successful. The data suggests after the initial attempt of the West B is the optimal time to implement tutorial support through the use of an ipad.Students that are identified as having difficulty with the writing and math portion of the test may request, at an additional cost, a detailed report of their results. This data to identifies specific academic areas student need. These students identified will be offered to participate of the Ray Solem iPad Program. The program director will aid the student in the use of the tablet, selection of appropriate materials, pair with student volunteers in the teacher education program to act as a mentor and monitor weekly progress. The mentor and student will work together to schedule best communication formats, times for support, or mini tutorial sessions as fitting to each others schedules and the mobility the device naturally offers. For example, a student may choose to use Twitter to ask a simple question regarding a topic. Other tutoring, such as feedback on a writing sample, may use another Education Application, such as, EndNote. This program will allow the sharing of a document and through bookmarking available from the software allowing asynchronous communication. The mentor may highlight a portion of writing; leave a comment or instruction to the student. Other practices to improve specific skill sets through various educational apps will be used by the student independently.

The West B exams are regularly scheduled every two months. This will determine the schedule for returning the tablets. Successfully passing the West B will end the need for further tutoring. Should the student still have areas of weakness the student will continue using the tablet and working with the mentor as described above adjusting the instruction as determined by the new detailed report provided with the second West B exam.

// Teacher Candidates / Field Placements //

Teacher candidates will be given the ipads when undertaking the Reading Methods course. Teacher candidates, once instructed with various ways tablets support learning, will devise a plan with their cooperating teacher in the elementary classroom. Teacher candidates will select various applications and tools available through the tablets and align the use to the curriculum in the school. Teacher candidates will bring the iPad into the classroom and work with small groups of children addressing specific learning needs. Teacher candidates will compare and contrast implementing traditional educational approaches and using Educational Apps in the classroom and will report their observational findings. After two weeks using the iPad in the classroom the teacher candidate will return, the device and the device will be assigned to another student in the same manner for the durations of the course, approximately 16 weeks.


 * Evaluation: **

Multiple methods of evaluation will be implemented with this program. After a semester of use, qualitative and quantitative data will be collected and analyzed. Quantitative data of test scores from the required West B test will be recorded and analyzed to support developing additional programs to assist ESL students in the Teacher Education Program. Qualitative data from the student and mentors will be recorded and analyzed. Qualitative analysis will be used for those Teacher Candidates implementing the use of tablets and educational applications in the field with children using the Teacher Candidate reports from the Reading Methods course. Survey research will support understanding the use of tablets and appropriate applications with other Methods Courses: Math, Science, Social Studies, ELL and Special Education for teacher education students. Survey research will be conducted with field experience placements. Research results will aid in the development for further implementations in the Teacher Education Program, as well as, finding further funding for sustainability of the program. Research will be published.