1:1 Mobile Learning at Middle School
Moses Brown School
Moses Brown’s 1:1 iPad mobile learning program launched in the fall of 2012, starting with students in the sixth grade, and now extends to students across all three grades in the middle school. Its goal is to create a student-centered, personalized instructional environment that promotes collaboration, engagement, and achievement. WHY 1:1?
A 1:1 program provides equitable access and builds student engagement while ensuring that each student has direct access to his or her own electronic device for individual academic applications at home and school. MB’s 1:1 mobile program uses Apple’s iPads, an agile and portable device, selected for its advanced technical capabilities, outstanding performance record, and ever-expanding selection of APPS. The 1:1 program personalizes learning, simplifies and localizes storage, provides differentiated learning opportunities, facilitates the use of e-books, and increases students’ personal responsibility. In addition, the iPad lets teachers create experiences that move students beyond consuming and repeating knowledge, towards producing new knowledge and understanding through technology.
WHAT TEACHERS SAY:
“The iPad allows us to make use of digital content that is produced specifically for this device. This includes an iBook series, which we use in the 8th grade course, that contain embedded videos that delve deeper into the subject matter.” “The iPad has helped tremendously with student organization. When used in conjunction with Google Drive, students have access to literally everything they need for class. Gone are the days of a crumpled assignment at the bottom of a backpack.” “This tool allows them to think more deeply about concepts and to have immediate access to information and materials that help them to visualize and understand ideas more fully and to articulate that understanding in meaningful ways. We are way beyond the old days of poster boards, glue, and construction paper. “ “Teaching students how to use technology to collaborate effectively has helped create an even stronger sense of community within our classrooms because it offers not only a greater number of collaborative opportunities, but it also allows students to engage more deeply, more authentically in each other’s work.” WHAT STUDENTS SAY:
“It’s great having Pages for typing and Notability for annotating!” – Sarah “I like that I can research anything on the internet at any time.” – Evelyn “Google Drive holds my entire life!” – Will
DIRECT BENEFITS @ MB:
The 1:1 program enhances student learning in these specific areas: equal access:
All students in the middle school have school-supported iPads.
engagement:
Student enthusiasm for both learning and sharing are among the top benefits of the program — students don’t forget to bring their iPads to class. collaboration:
Working together to solve problems sharpens student focus, increases attention, encourages collaboration, and promotes critical thinking. organization:
Students develop electronic systems that improve efficiency and
effectiveness.
sustainability:
Mobile technology reduces student and teacher reliance on papers and textbooks. responsibility:
Each student cares for and maintains his or her own iPad.
“I have everything I need in one place.” – Abby “It makes my walk home easier because I’m carrying fewer textbooks.” – Harry WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY:
“The iPad puts the power of learning in the hands of the students.” “Technology allows students to control pace, space, and place. Students (whether elementary aged or teacher aged) learn in different ways and at different speeds. They need to be able to choose the learning environment that best supports them as well as the tools that allow them to engage with content and demonstrate their learning.” – Beth Holland from EdTechTeachers
Moses Brown, a Friends School, exists to inspire the inner promise of each student and instill the utmost care for learning, people, and place.