Future teachers learning with iPads at University of Oklahoma

Gregg Garn, dean of OU's Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, said it makes sense for prospective teachers to use the latest technology.

“We're just convinced that's going to make them better teachers,” Garn said.

The pilot project that will give iPads to students enrolled in the undergraduate teacher education program is part of OU's One University digital initiative, which integrates technology and creates digital content to enhance the learning experience.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to create greater access to learning for our students,” OU President David L. Boren said. “By providing iPads as supplemental education resources, our students will learn how to develop more powerful learning models, which they can then utilize in their own classrooms after graduating.”

Garn said officials want technology to be a big part of the curriculum for future teachers at the university.

“Since many K-12 schools have adopted iPad initiatives, it is imperative that future teachers learn and teach with the same tools,” Garn said. “OU will supply iPads at no cost to the student and, upon completion of the program, students will get to keep the device and the digital content they have created to use in their teaching careers.”

OU education professors, who received iPads earlier this fall, are incorporating them into their spring lesson plans, focusing on how the devices are being used in K-12 education.