Discussion 3: The iPad as a game changer…
Discussion 3: The iPad as a game changer
The iPad is a game changer in education since it promises new and exciting opportunities for learning anytime and anyplace. However, is it worth the investment? My answer is a resounding yes. The iPad has many features which makes it a great tool for education. For example, it has large storage capacity. Some WiFi versions etcetera come with 16Gb of storage space, therefore, it can store videos, music and many other applications.
Tablet are increasing becoming the digital backpack of students. Due to technological advancements, the possibility exist that in a couple of years, most if not all textbooks will have a digital equivalent, test and exams will be administered on tablets or smartphones, learning and homework will be done via apps such as StudyBlue and so on. Bearing these in mind, the iPad has the potential to create a paradigm shift in education which make it really worth the investment.
Although the iPad is a great product, there are some lingering concerns. A major concern is cost. For example, a basic iPad cost somewhere around US$500 and a student could purchase a laptop that does everything that he/she needs it to do for that same price. Another concern is will it be already an old technology by the time you purchase it due to rapid improvements and innovations in technology? One should really consider these and more before making the investment.
Keisha
Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 09: iPad Apps
jarvise 4:26 am on November 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Keisha,
Great points. The other advantage of a digital text is that it is always updated. Just imagine the possibility of never having to order a new set of textbooks for a school. You just regularly order updates. Think of the savings in postage alone! Perhaps this will alleviate the university textbook editions issue (you know: your course is using the 7th edition that costs $150, but the 6th edition is available 2nd hand for $30; you later discover that there are only very minor differences, but page order has been changed…)
I also like that you mention the idea of newer iterations of products coming out. How would you feel if you had bought the first ipad instead of ipad2? Probably ripped off.
Any ipad(1) users out there?
I wonder if it would make sense marketing-wise to guarantee that you won’t be making a newer version of a device for x-number of years. The last year prior to turnover would likely be a dead zone. But people would feel confident buying something knowing that it would be the ‘latest’ version available for a specific period of time. Thoughts?
Emily
Deb Giesbrecht 6:45 pm on November 5, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Emily – how right you are! New versions of textbooks drive me mad! Particularly if the author is the person who is teaching the course and you never actually crack the book open!
Keisha – I love the analogy of the digital backpack – how appropriate! Much lighter than the 10 textbooks I carried to and from school all the time. Very portable and practical – with hopefully all the upgrades. I don’t think the idea of ipads in education has caught on like wildfire yet – but certainly with gamers and people who want to watch videos on the go (think kids in the backseat of a mini van on a long trip).
The latest and greatest device is always the consumer challenge – corporations saturate the market with version 1 and then continue to make next versions to continue the cycle of mass consumerism, consumption and intake of dollars. Promising they won’t make a version for x amount of years would seriously jeopardize this cycle.