Teacher perceptions and student attitude of IPAD integration in Middle school

Abstract

This research project is designed to address the recent push for technology in 21st century education. This is done by investigating how teachers are using iPads in a 1:1 implementation setting, what professional development teachers are given for iPads, and the attitudes of students using iPads in a 1:1 setting. Participants of the study include 30 eighth grade students and 4 teachers in a rural Western New York middle school. Each participant is currently involved in a 1:1 iPad implementation in the selected school district. The researcher gathered data in the form of a student survey, teacher interviews, and classroom observations. The results of this study concluded that teachers had a positive perception of using iPads for instruction. There were many benefits to the use of the technology in a variety of ways. Students were found to have positive attitudes when it came to the use of the iPads except when it came to reading on the iPad. This research may serve as a guide to districts who currently do not have a 1:1 iPad implementation, and are currently attempting to pursue that path of instruction in their school district. [from author's abstract]