D#3: Game changing Ipad
Will the Ipad be a game changer in the education industry? I would like to attempt to answer this question by tracing its track record so far.
The slogan “there’s an app for that” was made popular by the Ipad, as far as I know. The surge of apps coming up these days testifies to the fact that Ipad has started a “fire” that is spreading fast and with the cloud technology catching on too, the app world has just gained extensibility. This means that it will be easier to get apps and updates without worrying about space on the device.
My observation is that digital natives seem to prefer the Ipad and its kin to most other mobile devices. This says a lot about expectations of this group of people and their acceptance of the device.
The Ipad is easy to move around and as such can do the same job the computer, ereader, camera and GPS can each do-a portable all in one. There is an app for almost anything you need to do. A lot of apps are already popular in the education circle.
Following these trends, the Ipad is bringing change but being a game changer- in education will require more than popularity and portability or acceptability.
These trends are promising but in my opinion to determine if Ipad is a game changer will require to measure it based on certain benchmarks. How do we measure how learning or effective teaching or transfer of knowledge has occured from the use of Ipads?
Laura Milligan of the Onlinecolleges.net blog has some ideas on how Ipad will according to her “forever change education.” I also found the comments to this article interesting.
http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2010/06/21/10-ways-the-ipad-will-forever-change-education/
Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps
jarvise 4:20 am on November 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi,
You mention the popularity of the device with digital natives, but I found it very interesting to see the demographics on who uses the ipad the most (the stat was something like 34-55 year olds…). I would have thought it was more younger people. I wonder if this has to do with the price, rather than just who wants them the most. That age group would have the most disposable income for tech gadgets. That being said, there is definitely an appeal for all. I was in bed reading an article last night, and my 15 month old baby kept scrolling the page down and laughing at me. Its like she knew which part I was reading and would swipe the screen to move it away so I couldn’t see it. I knew my other kids (3 and 5) liked it, but now I see that apparently babies love ipads. I then thought, “I wonder if there’s an app for babies?” and sure enough, I found a blog devoted to it.
I wonder if there’s a group who aren’t interested in the ipad…
Emily
mcquaid 4:36 am on November 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Emily,
My guess is that it has something to do with what the iPad is most useful for – what it affords its users. I have seen videos of kids (particularly the 2.5-year-old girl using one, who obviously had much experience on a similar device, since she knew which places to click to go home / back, etc.) using them, as well as cats. This doesn’t mean it’s natural or great (not that it’s exactly what you were saying) for kids or cats – it just means they can interact with them. I posted the link to an article in a previous week that said users of tablets/eReaders consume more news since they acquired the device. I think, aside from other entertainment, that’s what it’s best for so far – a bit of media, and news / reading. I believe there’s a link between what they get used for the most and the age group (34 – 55-year-olds) that uses them the most.
Steve
Everton Walker 9:06 pm on November 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Ifeoma,
Great post! I too think the game-changing logo depends on several factors. We cannot classify it as that when there is no comprehensive global stats to suffice this claim. We need to watch and wait first and pay attention to the global distribution of iPad in the classroom. The potential looks great and worth investing in but it’s more of a game-changer in mobile technology; not in education as yet.
Everton
Deb Giesbrecht 6:16 pm on November 5, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
What does that say about branding and ‘catchy’ slogans? Its one step closer to making it a household name.
I too noticed the comments to Laura Milligan’s blog – replace the ipad with the word netbook and you get the same thing. Will this be the future – similar functionality and and general broad statements will be said about how many other devices?!
Portability is certainly one of the highlights this week in discussing the ipad – although I really don’t think I would take it out with me like I do my Blackberry – so its not THAT portable.
As far as being a game changer in education – I think the potential is there, it just has not reached those lofty heights yet.