Exploring the Use of the iPad for Literacy Learning

TLDR

Because iP ads and similar tablets are relatively unexplored as tools for literacy learning, this work may provide a foundation for teachers and leaders deciding whether mobile devices can be useful in literacy classrooms. The goal of this investigation was to explore how a fourth‑grade teacher could integrate iP ads into her literacy instruction to simultaneously teach print‑based and digital literacy goals. The teacher used iP ads for a three‑week period during her literacy instruction and selected apps that offered unique approaches to helping students meet their literacy learning goals. The study presents lesson‑design guidance for integrating iP ads and shares lessons learned and considerations for tablet use in literacy instruction.

Abstract

Abstract The goal of this investigation was to explore how a fourth grade teacher could integrate iP ads into her literacy instruction to simultaneously teach print‐based and digital literacy goals. The teacher used iP ads for a three‐week period during her literacy instruction and selected apps that provided unique approaches to helping the students meet their literacy learning goals. An explanation of how to develop lessons that meaningfully integrate iP ads is presented, as well as lessons learned from the project. Considerations for integrating tablets, such as the iP ad, into literacy instruction are provided. Because iP ads and similar tablets are relatively unexplored as tools for literacy learning, this work may provide a foundation for teachers and leaders making decisions about whether mobile devices such as these can be useful in literacy classrooms.