District Administration - March 2012 - (Page 44)

cio Technology from The cIo perspecTIve District S FCC Continues with Apple’s e-books Momentum lthough Apple has hogged much of the e-book spotlight since its announcement in January that it would partner with Pearson, McGraw-Hill and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to roll out K12 e-Books in addition to its improved iBooks applications, it isn’t, nor ever will be, the only player in tablets in education. On the heels of Apple’s announcement, the Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski A special ed tech Whiteboards Engage Autistic Students in Social Learning ince the launch of the Apple iPad, educators have touted the tool’s ability to engage special education students with autism spectrum disorder through unique, customizable applications and stimulating touchscreen technology. Many still feel, however, that although touchscreen tablets work well as personalized tools, they cannot be a replacement for interactive whiteboards, which help autistic students with social learning in a group setting. Whiteboards began making headway in the K12 arena in 2006, and their presence in classrooms has increased exponentially ever since. “The boards, when combined with pedagogy, improve student behavior and engagement and reduce teacher stress,” says Lisa DeRoy, education advocate with SMART Technologies. Although there are more than a dozen whiteboard manufacturers that cater to schools in the United States—such as SMART, Luidia, eInstruction, InFocus, DYMO/ Mimio and Promethean—many offer similar features to supplement analytical classroom discussion, including graphics, audio, visual support, linguistic tools, drawing capabilities and speech bubbles. Students are engaged Educators say iPads have a role in personalizing learning in what they’re learning, rather for students with autism, but whiteboards engage in social than just watching. learning. Above, DYMO/Mimio’s Mimio Classroom. While they also serve general education students, interactive whiteboards can captivate autistic students, who struggle with attention deficit disorder and reciprocal relationships on varying scales. “Interactive whiteboards’ multisensory tools allow students to attend through visual means,” says Kathleen McClaskey, president of EdTech Associates and a member at large of ISTE SETSIG, a special interest group on special education technology. Whiteboards also aid in mainstreaming special education students in general education classrooms. “Sadly, students with special needs often become isolated from their peers,” says DeRoy. “Mainstream teachers are also special needs teachers. They have a classroom with a smorgasbord of student needs they have to accommodate.” McClaskey believes that the iPad works well as a personal tool but that it doesn’t further the fundamental goals of learning in a group as whiteboards do. “Kids develop a respect for each other,” says McClaskey. “They take turns and increase their attention span by nearly an hour through the visual components.” —Marion Herbert released in early March his plans to get all U.S. students, from kindergarten through the 12th grade, using electronic book titles by 2017—in five years. Since Apple’s venture into K12 e-books, one primary concern has been financing the new devices. The iBooks application is free to download, and all textbooks cost $14.99 or less. Apple, however, has yet to announce a plan to lower the prices of iPads, which currently begin at $499 a pop. Ensuring that each student, rich or poor, has access to an iPad before the digital curriculum can be rolled out in a district is key. Genachowski acknowledges the fiscal constraints on schools and anticipates aiding districts as much as the department can without additional money from the government. The U.S. spends $7 billion per year on textbooks. While the U.S. appears to be united in its move toward e-books, they are far from being in the hands of every student. Until then, Pearson, McGraw-Hill and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will continue to make digital content to supplement traditional textbooks. — M.H. 44 March 2012 District Administration

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - March 2012

District Administration - March 2012
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Inside the Law
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Research Center
CIO News
Building an Ed Tech Dream Team
Are you Ready for Common Core Math?
A Crystal Ball for Student Achievement
The Single Largest Education Donor Comes With Controversy
Models of Education Reform
Noteworthy Books
New Products
Going Mobile
Professional Opinion

District Administration - March 2012