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Do Tablets Help Children Learn?
hypnosec writes "With the wide array of electronic devices available in our everyday lives, it appears that children have formed an attachment to a different kind of toy. According to the latest survey, 77 per cent of polled US, UK parents believe that iPads and other tablets are good educational tools that boost kids' creativity. Meanwhile, researchers in this field explain that it is a matter of balance — and a child's access to tablets and other similar electronic devices should be monitored. Specialists warn that using tablets in excess could cause attention deficit disorder and even autism, particularly at a very young age."
How does a device which drives and rewards specific behavior (tap the star to win!) increase creativity more than free-form finger paints and crayons?
Oh, that's right. It's a $600 toy they're trying to justify buying. Surely there must be something better they can spend the $6,000 on than 10 iPads.
"What do you despise? By this are you truly known." --Princess Irulan, Manual of Muad'Dib
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Yes, and too much television will rot your brain, give you cancer, and ruin your eyes.
Tablets: They're new, they're (a little) different, they'll have lots of critics and fear mongers.
As for "causing ADD/Autism", I only see that happening if they're used as the ultimate babysitter (kinda like TV 30 years ago.) If a kid's whole day, every day, consists of 99% tablet interaction and 1% ducking criticism from parents and other adults, yeah, they're going to come out a little bent, at least compared to kids who didn't grow up that way.
Anybody still go to a school that forbids simple +-x/ calculators in advanced math and science courses? This, too, shall pass.
"Specialists warn that using tablets in excess could cause attention deficit disorder and even autism, particularly at a very young age.""
Specialist in what, making scary shit up about technology?
The tablet is a window to the world. Parents should control it, but that's about it. If it gets the child active in something, then it's good. The fact that it's a tablet is secondary.
I ma from the era where for entertainment kids through rocks at each other. i.e. every generation prior to 1995.
My kids are very much in the internet generation. And they can do and learn far more then I had the opportunity to.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Specialists warn that using tablets in excess could cause attention deficit disorder and even autism
Oh yeah, I forgot to add this bit: Also, the specialists above are morons. Nobody has yet conclusively determined the cause of either condition, but it appears to be hereditary, at least in part. Suggesting that tablets cause autism is as scientifically irresponsible as saying vaccinations cause autism. Let me be clear here: Nobody knows why these things happen. Anyone who says otherwise should be immediately imposed upon to provide compelling evidence to support their claim, since many studies have been done and no clear answer has emerged yet.
#fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
More generally - is there anything they aren't blaming autism on these days?
Too much television will "rot" your brain - there is no question about this. Studies have clearly show that, for example, children under 2 there is a steep correlation between hours of tv watched per week and vocabulary (tv watching decreases your small kids vocabulary).
My 7yo daughter is reading years ahead of her age - I'm sure this is down to a very small amount of television watching - and she does not miss tv at all. She would much rather play with her sister or read a book.
As I've pointed out in other threads, I work in a school where we're slashing budgets but somehow can afford to buy ipads for all the classrooms. Sadly, the ipad isnt well integrated into the curriculum, there isnt an IT strategy or plan nor people to do something if there were one. Waste of money.
Creativity? Sure. We had etch-a-sketches for that sort of thing, and play doh and finger paints. Seems they're just electronic versions of the same.
Good points, worth discussing
1) It wasn't specifically for entertainment, that's a pretty misleading argument. It's just a tablet computer, it was designed from the ground up for a lot more than entertainment. (eg - Exchange messaging, calendaring, contacts, reading, web browsing, etc. Just watch the original iPad commercials.)
2) That's a misleading argument. The question shouldn't be limited to "can we get non-performing students to perform". That isn't its sole purpose. An iPad can also be a better tool for already productive and capable students.
3) Compare that to the cost of the school supplies it replaces. I was spending hundreds of dollars a year in textbooks alone years ago when I was in school. I'm afraid to even ask what it costs now.
Also worth considering - what does that iPad bring to the table beyond with what we have now. How about the level of interaction we've never seen. Two students coloring together? instantly feeding their art to a large display (tv/projector) to share with the whole class? the only real limitations are your imagination. What about the communication with the parent to help development, you can feed the child's work right into a web based application that a parent can monitor from work/home. You could take it as far as being able to see and comment on your child's work in real-time.
I think we need to get outside of the box of limiting iPads to being simply replacements for the tools we have now. It can be so much more than that with a little creativity.
But sadly the problem is that is EXACTLY what often happens, they become fancy electronic babysitters. I have gone in houses where there isn't a single book, not a one, but they make sure the kid has an X360 or PS3 because that keeps little Billy out of their hair.
As for the tablet i don't see anything the tablet could do that a cheap netbook or desktop could do, except maybe cost more. in the end its not about the tech, its about actually stimulating the child's mind, really interacting with them instead of just handing them some more technocrap and sending them to their rooms.
I had mine build their own desktops, showing them along the way what each piece was and explaining how it worked, I loaded up modding tools to show them how code was translated into what they saw on the screen, etc and now while the oldest has many friends that are having to take remedial computer classes he gets extra points being a TA and helping show the others how to properly research on the net. its not the tech, its actually spending time with the kids that counts.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.