iPad: Substitute for Learning?

John Keating, Mr. Miyagi and Mary Poppins: Alan Jacobs, author of the article, “The Charisma ofthe iPad: on Technology in the Classroom” offers the conclusion that perhaps a mixture of these three educators is the best approach to take when trying to capture and maintain students’ interest in the classroom. I have stated my opinion in past blogs regarding the issue Jacobs tackles in this article, stating that I felt as though iPad and technologies of that nature, while perhaps useful in the classroom, should not solely be used to entice children to learn because it might end up having the reverse effect of what you strive to achieve. Jacobs seems to agree with my standpoint on this issue, as he states, “So whether we want to admit it or not, when we educators turn to technology we're hoping not to generate interest in learning but to substitute for it” (1). He brought to my attention a strategy called “Gamification” which I had previously been unaware of. He explains the strategy by stating, “We're saying, instead, Use this technology that's fun and indirectly and unconsciously you'll learn all the stuff we want you to learn.” Is this really the message we want to send to our students though? I believe students are smarter than they are given credit for and might easily deduce that the iPad is just a fancy way of telling them that behind the glitz and glamour of new technology, they will still need to do assignments and learn all the material. Although initially they might be so intrigued by being introduced to this latest form of technology, sooner or later, it might lose its effect to get children to participate in lessons. Our job as educators is to ensure that each student we teach has the opportunity to develop an interest in the lessons and materials that we present to them. If we hide their interest behind the latest form of technology, are we compromising an interest they might otherwise want to nurture? Am I the only future teacher that, like Jacobs, believes that introducing up-to-date technologies like that of the iPad into the classroom might be more of a hassle than its worth? Are there more pros or cons to introducing this form of technology as a substitute for a genuine interest in learning?