Implications/Discussion/Conclusion

            The overarching theme that is resulting out of the research as to whether or not iPads can be used in an art education classroom is that yes, they most certainly can be used and can be used successfully, however they need to be used for specific iPad purposes and will not be implemented without some traditional pushback. Hockney has shown that traditional artists can continue to complete wonderful, technically talented works-of-art on iPads without losing their luster and can in fact gain the same recognition that traditional artists of past have by showing in a gallery. Kyle Lambert is slowly proving to the world that hyper-realistic portraiture painting is completely attainable with no more than a screen, your finger and some time. Multiple resources have explained that students are excited by the move to iPads and feel more energized toward their education through the use of the tablets. Countless surveys and research have shown the multitude of ways that iPads can be used in a classroom and those ways are neverending as new technology is being developed on a daily basis. The world of the iPad is growing as is every facet inside the iPad. The applications we have now to create, display and critique art will only be evolved in the years to come and will only learn to grow and do more.

The research is currently sparse as to what using iPads in an art specific classroom currently looks like beyond simply using them for google and it is research that needs to be done. iPads are turning into an incredible resource, full of nearly every digital tool imaginable and quite literally at our fingertips. If educators and administrators can begin the process now of integrating these tools into our classrooms, the changes will more likely be seamless, the pushback will be minimal and will subside quickly, and students will have a head start on becoming familiar with the technology. iPads and digital media tablets will eventually take over our education processes much the same way computers and SmartBoards have, and it is only a matter of time and technology advances.

The iPad is not going away, and Apple continues to show us that as it develops new iPad after new app after new technology. Our classrooms should be advancing along with that technology if we want to truly be preparing our students for the 21^st century education and workforce.