iPads

I have to be honest and tell you that I know next to nothing about iPads.  I know they have apps.  They are about $499.  I know they have touch-screens.  They have colorful covers!  Yep.  That's about it. 

A rainbow of iPads!

Well, apparently a school district in Maine is planning to pilot a program where they give iPads to kindergarteners this month.  Here's another article about it.  This site has videos to explain the plan in Auburn.  Of course you're going to have people who think this is crazy.  Then you'll have people like this and like this who think iPads could be beneficial for kindergarten students.

I'm not sure what I think about this.  To be honest, I've never really thought about it.  As an early childhood educator, I know that hands-on, meaningful experiences keep children engaged and excited about learning.  If these iPads are added to the curriculum, how will teachers decide their appropriate use?  I'll be interested to see if the pilot program actually makes a difference with children's literacy skills. 

What do you think?  Have you used iPads with your students?  What do you think about iPads in kindergarten?