iTeach Literacy With iPad Devices: Preparing Teachers for Effective Classroom Integration

The Promising Potential Of Ipad-Based Learning

Realizing the promise of iPad devices for literacy learning and teaching requires careful planning and reflective implementation, both of which must be grounded in research. Although research specific to the iPad device is just emerging, broader research about technology-based learning in general does offer findings for our consideration. Although digital natives (Prensky, 2001) spend considerable time engaged in digital literacy practices, those practices may be primarily for entertainment or socialization rather than for purposes of learning (Leu, 2010; Wilber, 2008). Also of concern is the fact that students may not transfer their skills from traditional print literacy tasks and settings to digital tasks and settings (Walsh, Asha, & Sprainger, 2007). Hence, in preparing teachers to implement iPad devices effectively into classroom practice, we must prepare them to focus on skills development and transfer.