 Let me start out this post by saying that I don't work for Apple. Looking back on most of my posts related to technology, I realize that they are often linked to Apple products! This being said, if there is an Apple representative out there reading this blog that would like to send me an iPad to test out for them, I would have no problem with that! This short article makes some very valid points about the use of iPad's in the classroom. When I first say the title it made me a little concerned, however, with a rental fee of $200 a year, I think it may be affordable for many parents. If we think in terms of a 10 month school year, the cost would be about $20 a month. Considering that the child's text books would be on the device for the most part, and all the additional perks, it may just be worth it. It is also key to mention that school plans to block social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Nevertheless, take a read for yourself! These Kids are Better than Yours: Tennessee School Requires iPads for All Students
 I think we all knew that this was coming. Virtual classrooms with no teachers. As you know, I am a big fan of integrating technology into the classroom, however, I'm not sure how I feel about students having no teacher at all. There are 7,000 students in the Miami Dade County Public Schools that are currently in a program where their core subjects are taken via computer with no teacher in the room. Each room has a facilitator to ensure that the students stay on track and to deal with any technical problems that arise. How do you feel about this? Needless to say, there are lots of issues that come out of virtual classrooms. Although they may help to reduce class sizes, having students that do not have contact with teachers brings up a lot of issues as well. Are teachers really replaceable by computers? In Florida, Virtual Classrooms With No Teachers
 If you follow us regularly, you may have listened to last week's podcast about bullying. Bullying can happen across different mediums. This week, I found myself thinking about cyberbullying, an aspect of bullying that is becomimg more and more serious these days among school children and teens. For this reason, it was ironic that I came across the following article on cyberbullying. However, there is a bit of a twist to this article. It's actually about teachers experiencing cyberbullying themselves. The article, which was posted on BBC News' Education Page, states that 15% of of teacher's have been cyberbullied by either parents or pupils. Teachers' Union Warns of Dangers of Online 'Abuse'
 As you know by now, I'm a big fan of technology. I do not have an iPad but I have it's younger cousin, the iTouch. I am extremely attached to it. I was not surprised to see this article and figured it was a matter of time before we started to see more schools running pilot projects with the iPad. From what I've read, and heard, I think the iPad would be a great teaching tool. As I currently do more reading on the computer than in books, I've moved away from the idea of electronic text books being a bad idea. This generation of students is used to reading on a screen, therefore they might even be more likely to read their text book if it's on an iPad. iPads also help to make learning more interactive. In the following article posted in the Education section of the New York times, we learn about a pilot project happening in Long Island. There are also some other interesting points brought up in the article. Some of them include whether so much money should be spent on learning devices, such as iPad's, when teachers are being cut left right and center. Another point that is highlighted is that there is not yet solid research that iPads result in higher grades or better results in general. I can imagine that they would engage some students more than the traditional paper, pen, textbook, chalkboard methods, but it is important to see what the research says. I anticipate that in the next little while we will start to see research related to the iPad and its effects and results in a wide range of classrooms. Math That Moves: Schools Embrace the iPad
 Last week a good friend and colleague of mine, who is currently working in Switzerland, sent me a link to this article posted on the NY Times Education page. Although this article is more relevant for the college and university age students, I found it so fascinating that I had to post it. I think this article is an example of education keeping up with the times. In this article, we learn how professors are now using hand held devices, or "clickers" to engage their students. In many cases, clickers are used throughout lectures to answer questions posed by professors. Not only has this increased alertness by students, it is a way of monitoring attendance, and a way for students to directly alert their professor if they are having difficulty with a given topic being taught. According to the article, “clickers” are being used in a number of schools. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before this idea becomes more main stream and perhaps finds its way into high schools as well.
More Professors Give Out Hand-Held Devices to Monitor Students and Engage Them
 Does your child spend a lot of time on the internet? Are you constantly seeing them on social networking sites such as facebook and twitter? Is this something that you should be concerned about? Many parents are aware that their children spend hours on top of hours on the internet. But just what are they doing, and should they be doing it?
In this week’s episode, we aexplore some of these questions, as well how to talk to your child about internet safety and what you can do in order to help keep your child safe on the internet.
 If you are a regular reader of our blog postings, you know that L & L believes strongly in the use of technology. Technology is essential in today's society. We feel that it is important that we expose our students to technology in order to help prepare them for today's academic and work worlds. Over the last few years, there are many technological devices that have emerged in order to help students with special needs. Although many devices have been created especially for students with special needs, it is now becoming more common that everyday devices are being used as assisted technologies. iPads, Kindles and other E-Readers have become the preferred way for many people to read. Many people prefer to do their reading on E-Readers or computers. I myself do most of my reading on my laptop and iTouch. E-Readers provide readers with many different choices that can make reading easier for some. For example, on most E-Readers you can change the size and color of the font. You can also change the background color to make it easier on your eyes. I prefer reading with a black background and white text. I find that it is less taxing on my eyes. With these options, it's not hard to understand why some schools are beginning to use E-Readers with their students. There is still much debate on whether E-Readers do indeed enhance the learning process. The following article is definitely worth a read. I am also sure that we will be hearing more about this debate in the future! Schools Test E-Reader Devices with Dyslexic Sudents
 Social Networking has become extremely popular amongst not only adults, but children and teens as well. In the following clip found on CNN.com, see how some teachers have integrated the use of Facebook into their classrooms. Although I would have initially thought this was a bad idea, the way the teachers have integrated it sounds great! They have managed to think outside the box, and probably have parents more informed than ever before! What do you think?
Teachers Use Facebook to Update Parents
 There is no question about the importance of technology. As the world embraces technology, education systems must do the same. I myself absolutely love using technology in the classroom. Technologies such as Interactive White Boards (also known as Smart Boards), are right up my ally. The following article explore how this modern technology is shifting the teacher student paradigm. Teachers are able to explore ideas in new ways and children are able to take more of a visual and hands on approach to what they are learning. IWB's allow teachers to pull in photos, newspaper articles, video and other online content at the click of a button. The following article, posted on the Ottawa Citizen website, is definitely worth a read to find out more about the amazing things that can be done in a classroom with an Interactive White Board. “ Interactive whiteboards revolutionize the classroom: New technology re-energizes teaching profession
 For Christmas, my husband got me an iTouch. It is to date probably one of the best material gifts that I have ever received. Having a 3 month old often makes it difficult to find quiet time in front of the computer, so my iTouch is my lifeline to my email, facebook, and international news. I have become quite attached to numerous apps. Among my favorite are apps that provide me with international news (written, spoken and visual), hurricane and tropical storm alerts, brain teasers and I even have an app that shows me the signs to teach my daughter baby sign language! My iTouch has also proved great for travelling. Beyond just listening to music or playing games, being able to access the internet when a wifi signal is available is great. I also anticipate that in the coming years my iTouch, or perhaps an iPad by then, will be a great "busy"' tool to have when travelling with my daughter. I will be able to download her favorite t.v. shows or movies as well as have interactive educational games easily accessible. From the time I got my iTouch, I thought "Wow, what a great educational tool!" Beyond the ability to listen and watch educational podcasts and other programming, the amount of educational apps out there are phenomenal. I easily came accross communication apps geared towards children on the Autism spectrum. For this reason, I was not surprised to come across the following article. iHelp for Autism, which was posted SFWeekly, tells us about a mother named Shannon Rosa who has a son with Autism that has recently been introduced to a new iPad. Although Rosa is still a little skeptical about whether the progress and successes that her son has shown since being introduced to educational softward on the iPad will continue, it is quite clear to see that her son has made major advancements. He uses the iPad to learn basic educational concepts, play games, watch movies, as well as read and see social stories. Social stories are often used with children with Autism to help them navigate through appropriate behavior in social settings. Overall, research and anecdotes seem to suggest that children with Autism are drawn to iPods and now the iPad. As a teacher who has taught children on the Autism Spectrum, I understand how essential visual aids are. I have spent many hours finding pictures, printing, cutting and pasting, and it's exciting to see that with the iPad and iTouch, some of this work can be cut out, while still having a favorable outcome. I have also used social stories, and can imagine that the success of social stories would increase when they can become more interactive and personal, as software for the iPad seems to do. Rosa makes it very clear in the article that there is no quick fix when it comes to ''treating'' Autism. However, it is clear to see that the iPad has become a teaching tool and favorite gadget for her son. iHelp for Autism
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