Channahon Kindergarten Class Uses iPads to Expand Learning

The traditional tools of the classroom, the markers, large paper, blocks and books are all in place, but this year, Kathryn ‘Kitty’ Johnston, kindergarten teacher at in , has introduced the iPad as a learning tool. 

As the last activity on Fridays, after she leads a group lesson, students take turns using an iPad. The rest of the students play at a writing table, paint, or play dress-up. 

The iPad group sits at the rug, and does the kind of activities that other students are doing, except they do on a screen. They look at their rectangular screens, match colors, sing along with nursery rhyme songs, or view and practice the ABCs, with one student even pronouncing ‘thank you’- in Japanese.

Johnston purchased the iPads after applying and receiving a grant from Target Corporation. The devices, which she has reminded her students to handle carefully, cost about $500 each, and seem to totally captivate the 6-year olds. 

One student who was not even scheduled to use the electronic device tried to get Johnston to let him use one. 

“"There are four kids; four iPads. Look (at them.),” she reminded him.

“I had to start a sign-up sheet,” Johnston said, because some students were taking more than their share of turns.

Johnson watches her students with an experienced eye, and seems to know intuitively how to handle their myriad questions.

It goes without saying that Johnston was so interested in the technology; she bought an iPad for herself in the summer just to see how it would work, and to preview the applications that she would use in the fall. Luckily, all the aps utilized in her classroom were free.

The veteran teacher summed up her philosophy on utilizing technology in the classroom, “It’s almost like fighting rock-n-roll,’ you just can’t push it away.”