I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back • Hacker News Board

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#21

Post by alistairSH » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:45 PM UTC

michaelmcdonald wrote: post #2

Change is hard. When computers were first introduced to schools there were similar arguments and complaints. When calculators were brought in instead of the slide rule we heard it would be the end of actually "knowing" math. Teachers who are great find ways to use technology and tools available to inspire their students and create engaging lessons. This teacher just sounds resistant to change.

Two counter-points... 1. Computers in classrooms have rarely, if ever, been deployed to entire classrooms in the way that tablets can be. Typically, you'll see one or two PCs in a class, plus a computer lab. PCs don't distract in the same way iPads can.

2. Calculators do make people worse at math. I saw this first-hand with my son. As he went through school, they used calculators for everything. Students began to rely on the calculators for simple arithmetic and took the answers provided as gospel, not realizing that garbage in = garbage out. He, along with many of his peers, never really developed the fluency in math to say to themselves "hmm, that answer looks suspect. Let me try again."

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#22

Post by CodeWriter23 » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:45 PM UTC

We don't have any of those problems at my daughter's school. First, all the iPads are locked down using some management software, so the kids are locked out of the clock, etc. that can cause unintentional distractions. Second, they limit use to about 30 minutes per day, so traditional lessons are taught using traditional techniques. Third, our school emphasizes social interaction with project-based learning, with the children working in teams. And a sizable portion of their report card deals with socialization and citizenship.

The tablet is a tool, alongside pencil, ruler, scissors, etc. NOT the primary device for delivering content. The kids use them (K-2) to make movies, make sketches of the things they are engineering, and math drills.

It seems a good lesson was lost on the author: teaching the kids how to appropriately use this type of tool. At my daughter's school, we get it. Starting next year, Grades 3-5 will have an admin account on their take-home MacBook Airs. Yep, sounds totally crazy. The value here is teaching the children not just how to use their computer but how to take responsibility for keeping it running. Hopefully El Capitan rootless mode will provide a robust defense against those pesky Flash 0-day bugs.

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#23

Post by nkrisc » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:46 PM UTC

pc86 wrote: post #7

jacquesm wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But calculators actually did negatively impact basic arithmetic skills. The number of people that can't do 9x14 without reaching for a calculator is scary.

To this point is there an easier way to do this than mentally do (9x10)+(9x4), which is what I've done since I was in elementary school (29 now)?

I do the same. However, recognizing you can do that is part of learning arithmetic and problem solving in general. I learned that method at an early age and it taught me that most big, scary problems in general are really just a bunch of small problems that can be identified and solved more easily.

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#24

Post by pc86 » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:47 PM UTC

davnicwil wrote: post #20

pc86 wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To this point is there an easier way to do this than mentally do (9x10)+(9x4), which is what I've done since I was in elementary school (29 now)?

Hmm that's interesting - I'd tend to round one of the numbers, whichever is closest to a '5' or '10', to make an 'easier' multiplication, then add / subtract the extra value lost / gained by rounding. Example 9 x 14 = ( * 14) - ([1] * 14) = 140 - 14 = 126 key: easier rounded number [] deal with rounding 'error'

I've done that before too, but for whatever reason my mind just defaults to adding two numbers rather than subtracting. Probably either habit or I just find it easier.

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#25

Post by greyman » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:47 PM UTC

joshstrange wrote: post #13

Good lord.... I don't think I can roll my eyes hard enough.... > One of my saddest days in my digital classroom was when the children rushed in from the lunchroom one rainy recess and dashed for their iPads. Wait, I implored, we play with Legos on rainy days! I dumped out the huge container of Legos that were pure magic just a couple of weeks ago, that prompted so much collaboration and conversation, but the delight…

> but please tell me why playing with Legos is any more valuable than playing minecraft?

She did - because it encouraged collaboration and conversation.

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#26

Post by dangerpowpow » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:47 PM UTC

These schools have too much money

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#27

Post by w8rbt » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:47 PM UTC

jacquesm wrote: post #3

michaelmcdonald wrote: post #2

Change is hard. When computers were first introduced to schools there were similar arguments and complaints. When calculators were brought in instead of the slide rule we heard it would be the end of actually "knowing" math. Teachers who are great find ways to use technology and tools available to inspire their students and create engaging lessons. This teacher just sounds resistant to change.

But calculators actually did negatively impact basic arithmetic skills. The number of people that can't do 9x14 without reaching for a calculator is scary.

I do 9 x 14 in my head by breaking it down. I assume others do this too. Anyone should be able to break a problem down (pre or post tech generation) and do the small parts, then put them together to answer the bigger question.

In general, that's the essence of learning. If we stop teaching that, then we're all in trouble ;)

9 x 10 = 90

9 x 4 = 36

90 + 36 = 126

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#28

Post by jl4ntz » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:47 PM UTC

I'm not an education professional, but this seems like it would be a better idea for kids that are a little older than third grade.

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#29

Post by jacquesm » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:48 PM UTC

pc86 wrote: post #7

jacquesm wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But calculators actually did negatively impact basic arithmetic skills. The number of people that can't do 9x14 without reaching for a calculator is scary.

To this point is there an easier way to do this than mentally do (9x10)+(9x4), which is what I've done since I was in elementary school (29 now)?

10 times 14 - 14.

Re: I gave my students iPads – then wished I could take them back

#30

Post by gambiting » Mon, Dec 07, 2015, 2:49 PM UTC

w8rbt wrote: post #27

jacquesm wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But calculators actually did negatively impact basic arithmetic skills. The number of people that can't do 9x14 without reaching for a calculator is scary.

I do 9 x 14 in my head by breaking it down. I assume others do this too. Anyone should be able to break a problem down (pre or post tech generation) and do the small parts, then put them together to answer the bigger question. In general, that's the essence of learning. If we stop teaching that, then we're all in trouble ;) 9 x 10 = 90 9 x 4 = 36 90 + 36 = 126

Ha, very interesting, I do something very similar, although for multiplication by 9 I would multiply by 10(since it requires no mental effort, you just add a zero at the end) then subtract one. So:

14 x 10 = 140

140 - 14 = 126