001+Leap+Pad

Cecelia Haslacker

LeapPad Report
The LeapPad Explorer is Leap Frog's newest gadget that is geared towards the education for young learners. The LeapPad includes several educational features that enhance a child's learning. It has also been used in several studies and is currently being used in Early Childhood classrooms to introduce technology in a fun and thrilling way.

The LeapPad features an array of activities that can stimulate your toddler. It has a 5 inch touch screen equipped with a child size style that imitates an IPad. The LeapPad creates learning technology for toddler’s fun. It offers kid-proof plastic to better help maintain the durability of the device. It also doesn’t matter if you have a MAC or PC; the LeapPad is compatible with both. The LeapPad also responds automatically to your toddler’s skill level, and it adjusts as your child master’s skills. It features four applications already preinstalled, and you can download apps onto it. It is powered by batteries, but you can buy a rechargeable battery set to help with the cost of batteries. The LeapPad offers games that are fun to play, but educational as well.

The LeapPad is available at many stores such as Toys‘R’Us, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, but you can also buy it online. The LeapPad is also available to teachers in certain discounted rates for the classroom. The bundles include a 5-pack of learning tablets with accessories; they are complete with mobile learning centers geared for Pre K to 2nd grade. The teacher can control the grade-level by choosing certain downloadable apps, and e-books. The LeapPad is a great way to help stimulate students in the classroom by using all of the sensory skills. It helps create imagination, and lets the students learn at their own pace along with the curriculum.

The LeapPad is becoming a popular gadget used in the early childhood classrooms (Pre-K, K, and First Grade). There have been several studies done, some still going on, on the success of using the LeapPad in the classroom. It is being used to help improve students' phonological awareness, improve reading levels, and improve fluency and retelling. This is being done in two ways. First, LeapPads are used with groups of students in the classroom three days a week. Then, the LeapPads are placed in the literacy center and the students have access to them all week. Second, the LeapPads are sent home with the students for two weeks at a time and they can work with them as much or as little as they wish. The school would do a workshop on LeapPads and how to use them, so the parents would be able to work with their child and help them learn reading skills. LeapPads also provide visual and auditory scaffolds to help the children make connections between what they already need to know and the new information being taught. Many students benefitted from using the LeapPad in and out of the classroom. Improvements in students included: Overall, students, teachers, and parents enjoyed working with the LeapPads and said they would work with them again.
 * positive attitudes towards reading and learning
 * increased fluency and retelling skills
 * enjoyment in reading increased
 * reading levels increased, some students increased three reading levels
 * reading engagement increased 256 percent

Reviews and opinions about the LeapPad are typically overtly positive when looking at all aspects of the child-friendly iPad. There are, however, some features that some people, including Matthew Buckland from gearburn.com, who disagree. Buckland views the LeapPad as cheap and old school. The technology of the LeapPad is outdated and its touch screen is a resistive panel instead of the new smooth capacitive touch screens that other tablets and touch phones use today. He also states that the graphics are poor, having a low resolution, and being pixilated and blocky. In Buckland's opinion, the interface is clunky and the device's chunky plastic shell is outdated. Another aspect of the LeapPad Buckland disapproves of is the fact that children must use a stylus instead of their fingers. Children love to use their fingers and since they see adults using their fingers on the iPad and phones, children would also feel more confident using their fingers on the LeapPad. Although LeapPad's manufacturer's say that the use of a stylus promotes fine motor skills, Buckland believes that the stylus is simply due to the poor touch screen. The last part criticized by Buckland is the pricey app store. These are all aspects that parents will have to look at before purchasing the LeapPad for their children, as well as teachers for their students.

Most reviews of the LeapPad are very positive and encourage parents and teacher to provide children with access to the device. The LeapPad is designed to improve children's M ath, English, and Science skills while allowing them to be creative artists. It also makes children feel as if they are adults when they use it, as they see adults using tablets and touch screen phones. The LeapPad also allows parents to purchase apps on the device, instead of going out and buying different cartridges. Each app contains available reviews and information about the app, so parents truly know what they are buying before they buy it and can estimate the effectiveness on their children's learning compared to other apps so they are sure they are choosing the right ones. The app store contains over 100 apps, so children are not likely to become bored with it. Parents love this device, as it enables them to track their child's progress and learn what areas need improvement. This tablet is valuable to every child, whether they are gifted or have a disability because it allows children to learn at their own pace. The LeapPad, in general, is an excellent choice for each and every child to assist in their development for many years, and is well worth the cost.

Bonnington, C. (2011, June 29). //Leapfrog's leappad tablet is just for kids//. Retrieved from []

Buckland, M. (2011, November 16). //LeapPad: The completely rubbish tablet you have to get//. Retrieved from Gear Burn: http://gearburn.com/2011/11/leappad-the-completely-rubbish-tablet-that-you-just-have-to-get/

Erlandson, H., Huddleson, B., Serrano, J. (2004-2005). Leaping leap pads! //Center for Teaching Excellence//. Retrievedfrom [|http://education.enmu.edu/cte/pdf's/2004-05%20ARG%20Summaries%20Book%20pdf.pdf#page=16]

Gruber, R. M. (2011, August 11). //Leapfrog leappad tots in control of their own learning tablets//. Retrieved from []

Leader PhD, L., Munson, C. (2002). The effects of LeapPad’s text to speech support on kindergarten students’ independent reading. //Valdosta State University.// Retrieved from []

Leap Frog Enterprises. (2001-2012). //LeapFrog LeapPad//. Retrieved from []

Rock, A. (n.d.). //Leapfrog leappad explorer tablet review a learning tablet designed with young children in mind//. Retrieved from [] ..

Romig, N., Yan, B., Zhao, Y. (2002). Impact of inexpensive interactive technology on early literacy development. //LeapFrog School House//. Retrieved from []

//Why We Think the LeapPad Explorer is Great for Kids!// (2012). Retrieved from LeapPad Explorer Reviews: []

Jamie Rayner Katelyinne Crosten Jamie Katelyinee Cecelia

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Cecelia's Brochure Katelyinne Crosten Jamie Rayner Cecelia's Photo Katelyinne's Photo

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Katelyinne Crosten' s Notes for Assignment #2

 * Article 1**- The information below was copied from http://education.enmu.edu/cte/pdf's/2004-05%20ARG%20Summaries%20Book%20pdf.pdf#page=16.

Erlandson, H., Huddleson, B., Serrano, J. (2004-2005). Leaping leap pads! //Center for Teaching Excellence//. Retrievedfrom [|http://education.enmu.edu/cte/pdf's/2004-05%20ARG%20Summaries%20Book%20pdf.pdf#page=16]


 * Respondents reported that 86 siblings had used the books, 10 parents, three cousins, one aunt, and one grandparent. This showed the research team that the LeapPads had a significant effect not just on the student, but on families, as well.
 * Standard: Grade K: Language Arts: Standard I: Students will apply strategies and skills to comprehend information that is read, heard, and viewed.
 * There were two objectives for this study of training parents to use Leap Pads in the home, and then providing loan of Leap Pads and LeapPad books through the library.
 * The research team wanted 1) to involve parents and other family members in the students’ education and 2) to improve students’ reading readiness and/or reading levels.
 * One case study from LeapFrog Schoolhouse (undated) indicated that illiterate family members benefit from usage of the program in their home, without compromising privacy or dignity.
 * It also stated that research agreed that “students who engage in language and reading activities at home are better prepared for the process of learning to read.”


 * ARTICLE 2**-The information below was copied from https://www.msu.edu/user/boyan/doc/leappad.pdf.

Romig, N., Yan, B., Zhao, Y. (2002). Impact of inexpensive interactive technology on early literacy development. //LeapFrog School House//. Retrieved from []


 * Selected because it is the most popular of all systems in the home and school environment and it has the largest selection of supporting books that match the federal academic standards that were stressed within the participating classrooms.
 * The purpose was to select materials to meets the demands of the curriculum standards while providing a large quantity of books that were grade level appropriate so that the students could work in the individual zones of proximal development. (vygotsky 1978)
 * Showed fluency and retelling improved
 * Provide academic support to children
 * Inexpensive learning systems may indeed provide academic supports in phonics, and fluency when children actively and consistently interact with the system.
 * ARTICLE 3**- The information below was copied from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/are/vol5no1/Thesis%20PDF/MunsonC_AREArticle_0504.pdf.

Leader PhD, L., Munson, C. (2002). The effects of LeapPad’s text to speech support on kindergarten students’ independent reading. //Valdosta State University.// Retrieved from []


 * Every time a student used a Leap Pad, he or she indicated his or her feelings about the experience by dropping a voting chip into one of three boxes labeled with either a happy, neutral, or sad face.
 * Overall, the students’ general pre-intervention attitude toward reading was neutral (M = 3.30; SD = 0.50). After the intervention, the students’ general enjoyment of reading was evident in the results of every survey question as well as in the overall survey (M = 4.41; SD = 0.44).
 * Seventy-one percent of the students saw an increase in reading level (M= 1.24; SD = 1.10). Six students increased one reading level, three students increased two reading levels, three students increased three reading levels, and five students showed no change in reading levels.
 * As a group, students strongly agreed that they liked using the Leap Pads (M = 4.65; SD = 0.79) and that Leap Pads were fun (M = 4.82; SD = 0.39), as expressed on one occasion, when one boy hollered out to the classroom teacher, “I’m gonna do Leap Pads every single day because I love them!”
 * Overall, the teacher believed that the Leap Pads were beneficial to the students. She believed that the students liked to read by using the Leap Pads and that she would like to continue to use them during center time and possibly during reading groups. When asked why she would continue to use them, she replied, “I think that it’s an exciting way to learn [word] tracking and sight words.” She went on to say, “I feel that Leap Pads are a great asset in the classroom. I think they are beneficial to students of all reading levels.”

** Cecelia Haslacker's Notes for Assignment #2 **

 * Article 1- ** The information came from []...

Rock, A. (n.d.). //Leapfrog leappad explorer tablet review a learning tablet designed with young children in mind//. Retrieved from []..
 * The LeapPad is very durable, and able to take whatever your preschooler decides to dish out
 * It has very kid friendly features that are easy for the children to use. It also already comes with plenty of things for the child to do on it.
 * It is compatible with a PC or Mac computer. It Does not have wifi on it, so you will never have to worry about what your children are looking at.
 * It is geared towards 4-9 yr olds, and it has a wide variety of games and app that are eeducational for your child
 * Also it auotmatically responds to your childs skill level and age. It increases as your child masters skills.
 * It helps children learn technology in a fun way.
 * The only downside is that the games and apps can get expensive, and that you have to keep batteries on hand. They offer rechargeable batteries for the system, which can help cut some of the cost.

Bonnington, C. (2011, June 29). //Leapfrog's leappad tablet is just for kids//. Retrieved from []
 * Article 2-** This information was provided by []
 * The LeapPad is a mobil gadget that offers an array of thing to do. It is just not an IPod or MP3 player.
 * It helps enhance childrens minds when it comes to learning how to use technology
 * The screen on it is 5-inches, and it a touch screen, it does offer a child size style to help them better practice their writing skills
 * It also offers a kid-proof plastic to help better maintain the durability of the device. This helps ensure that the LeapPad will get its money worth when it comes to the children, and how hard they are on toys.
 * Article 3-** The inforamtion was provided by []

Gruber, R. M. (2011, August 11). //Leapfrog leappad tots in control of their own learning tablets//. Retrieved from []


 * Offers children the chance to use their imaginations when using the drawing app.
 * They offer eBooks for children to not only listen to, but they can select words and the LeapPad helps them sound the word out. This helps show that reading can come alive for them, and its fun too.
 * Another downsideto the LeapPad is if your toddler is used to your IPad or other tablets the LeapPad is slower and does not offer wifi.
 * The upside is that LeaFrog is a friend to educucation because tall of their games and apps are in some way related to the child developing on the right path.

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**Jamie Rayner's Notes for Assignment #2**

 * Article #1:** This information was copied from []

Leap Frog Enterprises. (2001-2012). //LeapFrog LeapPad//. Retrieved from []


 * Reinforce school skills like reading and mathematics, and build skills like art, music, language, health and hygiene.
 * LeapPad works with all Leapster Explorer™ and LeapFrog Explorer™ cartridge games and downloadable apps—more than 100 learning adventures await!
 * Characters spring to life with amazing animation, reading levels adjust the challenge to keep kids engaged, while touching the text sounds out words to help build phonics, comprehension and vocabulary skills.
 * Animation and Art studios let children create masterpieces.
 * Our groundbreaking Learning Path lets you see specific play and learning details, including areas where your child excels or needs more support.
 * Add your child's name and picture! Choose a pet to customize and nurture!
 * Article #2:** This information was copied from []

Buckland, M. (2011, November 16). //LeapPad: The completely rubbish tablet you have to get//. Retrieved from Gear Burn: http://gearburn.com/2011/11/leappad-the-completely-rubbish-tablet-that-you-just-have-to-get/


 * It uses outdated technology. Its touchscreen is an old skool [|“resistive”]panel instead of the smart, smooth capacitive touchscreens used by most of today’s modern tablets and phones.
 * Moreover the graphics are poor. They are low resolution, pixelated and blocky, and the interface is generally clunky. The device’s chunky plastic shell reminds me of the 90s and Fisher Price tug-alongs.
 * You have to use a stylus on the LeapPad, not your fingers — and we know how much children like to use their fingers.
 * The app store is fairly expensive and the offerings on it are not as varied as you’d find on a full blown app store like Apple’s AppStore or Android’s App Market. The unit also runs on batteries, no recharging from the mains, which makes it eco-unfriendly, and a pain to keep swapping out batteries, which run out fast (and are pretty expensive these days).
 * the children I tested it on (a three-year old and a six-year old), loved it. They couldn’t put it down. In fact, they quickly abandoned the iPad they had been using for the past two years and quickly became obsessed with the LeapPad.
 * Kids love it. Nuff said.


 * Article #3:** This information was copied from []

//Why We Think the LeapPad Explorer is Great for Kids!// (2012). Retrieved from LeapPad Explorer Reviews: []


 * Improve your child’s math, English and Science skills while turning them into little artists with the LeapFrog Leappad Explorer!
 * Unlike other gaming devices that require you to go out and purchase game cartridges and individually research each game, the Leappad Explorer has all the fun apps and games available to you with a touch of a button.
 * The 5-inch screen makes it easy for kids to use the touch screen abilities as well as read all the text without straining their eyes.
 * Thanks to the explorer’s handy online tool the Learning Path parents can track their children’s progress, helping them pinpoint which skills their children excel at, as well as which skills they may need more improvement on.
 * The leap pad explorer not only gives those gifted children the ability to sharpen other skills, but also explore new ways to use and advance the skills they excel in!
 * The PetPad app teaches children responsibility while also sharpening their letter skills.

Cecelia Haslacker Katelyinne Crosten0

Cecelia Haslacker media type="custom" key="14998092" media type="custom" key="15475650" media type="custom" key="16514824" Jamie Rayner