A case study

 

The aim with the introduction of tablet computers, in Icelandic schools was to empower creativity in education and offer a diverse learning environment, which could meet the various abilities and different needs of students.
 
In 2012 a development project was started in Salaskóli, Kópavogur, utilizing tablet computers and following local elections in 2014, the decision was made to further increase the technological advance of the schools by giving primary and secondary school students, as well as their teachers, tablet computers for private use.
 
My aim with this MA-thesis is to observe how the teachers have managed to implement the use of tablet computers in creative education and whether the devices are of use to dyslectic students. In addition, my purpose was to inquire whether e-books were replacing the traditional textbooks.
 
A case study was conducted in a primary school in Kópavogur, where I used qualitative data from interviews with six teachers about the implementation of tablet computers. The observation focuses on the definition of the e-book, the cause and symptoms of dyslexia, creativity and literacy in the pillars of education as well as John Dewey’s theories on Pragmatism.
 
 
The results show tablet computers to be an asset to creative education, but that they can also lead to monotonous projects if teachers are unable to manage their use properly.
 
 
Some of those interviewed did seem to lack interest, ability or time to acquaint themselves with the potential use of the tablet computer and most felt that they had been forced to use them resulting in more work during free time as well as an increased load during working hours.
 
According to correspondents, the usefulness of tablet computers to dyslectics comes down to each individual respectively, but all agreed that  availability of audiobooks on tablet was a good alturnative.
 
All three supervising teachers mentioned how much easier it would be if all course texts would be available as interactive, digital material, resulting in only one e-book for student. Not as both flipbook and an audio book. None of the teachers were willing to cease use of traditional reading material as printed books generally serve an entirely different reading experience than e-books.

 

audurbj [at] simnet.is
http://spinna-honnun.is
Advisor: Ingimar Ólafsson Waage
Specialist: Hildur Rudolfsdóttir
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