iPad som pedagogiskt och specialpedagogiskt verktyg i grundskolan : Lärares erfarenheter och beskrivningar - en intervjustudie

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study is to examine how teachers in elementary school describe their work using iPad in education, as an educational and special educational tool to promote all students´ learning in school subjects. The study intends to answer the following research questions; how do the teachers describe their work with iPad as an educational tool? What kind of knowledge do the teachers describe the students get when working with iPad as an educational tool and how do the teachers describe the iPad as a tool from a special educational perspective.   Qualitative research interviews have been used as a method to collect data for the study. The study is based on six interviews with teachers working in elementary school. The study´s theoretical base is the socio-cultural perspective on learning. The result shows that an iPad is used as an educational tool for both teachers and students. The teachers use the iPad at joint briefings in the classroom and as a tool for documentation and as a tool to reach the goals of the curriculum. The students use the iPad´s various applications to acquire knowledge in school subjects. It can apply to applications that benefit proficiency in mathematics or applications for basic reading and writing. Students also acquire knowledge by cooperating on an iPad. The students are described by their teachers as very knowledgeable when it comes to using iPad as a tool, sometimes the students know more than their teachers. The result also reveals some challenges with the iPad as a tool, for example, the iPad is not as easy to type on as a computer. From a special educational perspective, students that are in need of special education within language, communication and reading and writing can get help from using different applications to practice their difficulties. The conclusion of this study is that the use of iPad as an educational tool in elementary school creates great opportunities for learning, which applies for both students and teachers. An iPad is described as most useful when all students have their own and the iPad is made personal with applications to suit each individual student. Then it becomes easier to individualize and to encounter the student’s needs.