The Chicago Tribune recently published this article about some Chicago area schools using iPads in preK and kindergarten classrooms.
I’m not sure what to think. On the one hand, I would be really gleeful if I got a bunch of iPads for my class. On the other….um, what exactly would we do with them?
I love the part of the article that mentions checking to see if you have glue or glitter on your hands, and washing them before you can touch the iPad. I could see preschoolers being kind of hard on that glossy new technology.
If you had them in your class (or, if you are a parent, if your child had them in her class), what would you do with them?
Elbows, knees, dreams 
I have been considering getting one for my classroom. My 5 year old grand daughter has one and she loves it. There are mainly educational games on there for her but also some read a long story type programs. I used to have a computer. I like the kids having some exposure to the computer but I found myself tied to it. Not being able to interact with other children as the computer user needed help. With the IPAD I could use it as a more mobile center. When the day was too hectic or I saw children trading their normal imaginative play for computer use too often, I Could put it away. Also… I hated giving up the space a desk top takes.. It would be a compromise for me.
I brought mine in for one day and our special ed. teacher used it with a child. It was awesome. I think of it as a individual interactive white board. The apps are great and it’s so easy to use. My 2 year old loves it, so I know preschoolers would too. I think in the classroom I would use it as a small center or as a remediation tool.
I teach PPCD in Texas. We received 2 iPads per class this year. My kids love them. We use them daily for all different activities. I am amazed at what the kids know and can figure out with them. They are even troubleshooting themselves if they mess up. 🙂