Jennifer's+EDUC7101+WikiSpace

Jennifer's WikiSpace (Team 4)

**Innovation** America’s public school system is constantly searching for new innovations to enhance students’ academic achievement. There are countless committees assigned to search for and evaluate new technologies that might raise standardized test scores and boost teachers’ confidence levels. One relatively new technology that has shown promise as a teaching tool is the tablet computer. This researcher will briefly explain why the tablet computer would be a beneficial asset to any public school classroom. **Tablet Computer Defined** Tablet computers are a relatively new form of computer technology that was introduced in 2000 (Ziff Davis, Inc., 2011). A tablet computer can be defined as, “a general-purpose computer contained in a single panel” (Ziff Davis, Inc., 2011, par. 1). The most well-known form of tablet is the iPad. Most tablets use a touch screen interface system that allows the user to simply touch the screen with a fingertip or stylist to perform the desired function. All current tablets are wireless internet compatible and can be used with a mouse and standard keyboard if desired.

**Benefits of Tablet Computers for Educators** Tablet computers allow the user freedoms that cannot be experienced with traditional desktop or laptop computers. Tablets are capable of performing any function a traditional desktop computer and also give the mobility and durability of a laptop while being easier to use. Tablets can be useful tools for students with disabilities, such as physical impairments or learning disabilities. The enormous range of educational programs available means that students of any age can use these devices easily with positive results. One study by researchers Couse and Chen (2010) found that even children as young as three years old were able to effectively use tablet computers to enhance their daily learning routines. This study also shows the effectiveness of tablet computers for specific learning tasks and demonstrates that they may be better suited to classroom environments over other current technologies. Tablet computers can be very useful educational aides in public school classrooms. They are capable of enriching the lives of students and providing exceptional learning experiences that would not be possible with the use of traditional learning tools. These devices are capable of meeting the diverse needs of all learners. With the use of tablet computers students would be more engaged, thus leading to improved academic success for all.

**References** Couse, L. J., & Chen, D. W. (2010). “A tablet computer for young children? Exploring its viability for early childhood education//.” Journal of Research on Technology in// //Education//. v43, n1. p75-98. Retrieved from []

Ziff Davis, Inc. (2011). “Encyclopedia: Tablet computer.” Retrieved from []

WEEK FOUR: STORY BOARD FOR INNOVATION PRESENTATION __**TABLET COMPUTERS:**__ Below is a link to my simplified outline of my presentation about tablet computer technology and how it bennefits today's school systemss, especially at a younger age.

__** Anwar's comment: **__ Hi Jennifer, I have Office 2003, I am using Open office to open your file as yours is a new version. I don't see anything in your file.

Anwar, Sorry, I have the latest version of Word and I forgot to save the file as compatible. I will resave it and upload it again and see if that works. Try the compatible version. 10/6/11 Jenny Jarvis

Due to personal/computer troubles, I am just now uploading a very rough version of my power point. Jenny