Pairing students with iPad Minis

First graders at Hall Kent Elementary School are using books, pencils, paper — and iPad Minis to learn this year.  

Teachers planned instruction that incorporates using the minis for writing, research and class presentation after receiving a class set of the devices through a proposal written by the first grade teaching team.

Often young learners have difficulty getting their thoughts on paper because their handwriting skills are not fully developed, so the minis will promote focusing on their thoughts and written expressions, encouraging them to think more in depth about their writing.

“I believe that young students will thrive using the same device each day, and the same one as their classmates,” said Becky Salls, technology specialist for the school. “As they become familiar with the mini, the learning will be the engaging part of the lesson, rather than the device.”