In regards to creation vs consumption with the iPad… If I am about to create media for tomorrow’s lessons, what tool am I going to use? My tablet, laptop or desktop? While the former two may be more comfortable in the sense that I can stretch out on the couch with them, by far and […]
Continue reading Discussion #3 – a couple of more thoughts Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps
Is there a market for this technology within education? iPad has been targeted for people who use eBook readers such as Kindle. However, it is offering them more than just an eBook reader. These days, I can see that iPad is prevalently used for educational purposes, especially in elementary. Schools receive grants to implement the […]
Continue reading Discussion # 2: Why iPad? Why Not Netbook? Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps
Thank-you Kim for your comprehensive list of benefits and ways to use the iPad. You have summed up our week’s presentation very nicely. I have a friend who uses a netbook and loves it. He did not buy a ipad on purpose for the reasons that you listed. You have illustrated well the contrast between the ipad and netbook and I would also add that some people just prefer not to buy Apple products. As each of these products evolve, and the price becomes cheaper, I would venture that you will see more competition in this market.I do not think we have seen the last version of the ipad (can’t wait for ipad 50!) so the capability and functionality and uses in the classroom will just grow, adding more to the list you have provided us. The challenges come with different devices and software, how does the education manage the personal preferences that the students bring to class.
Thank you, Deb.
I agree with you that the use of iPad in the classroom will grow.
I heard that there were over 3 million iPad units sold in just 80 days after launch last year. So far this year, there are more than 25 million units sold. The number keeps increasing.
What features of the iPad attract people so much that almost everyone around me is eager to have one? It could be the style, design, functionality, free useful apps, and portability. If someone asks me what I would prefer to purchase between the iPad and the netbook, I’d say the former. It’s worth having one.
Deb
Kim,
Very comprehensive analysis of the iPad. This information is very useful tome since I do not own an iPad. I learnt a lot from your post. My point of contention though is that a netbook or a laptop is much cheaper and can do the same functions as an iPad, so why invest in a iPad? In my country Jamaica, due to the economic situation, my students would mostly opt to purchase the netbook over the iPad mainly because of the cost and since it can do the same things as the iPad.
Keisha
Thank you, Keisha.
You are right that both the netbook and the iPad have similar functions. If it was solely for educational purposes, and a school district or a school couldn’t afford to purchase iPads, I’d recommend them to purchase netbooks.
However, if it was for my own use, then I’d purchase an iPad. On a daily basis, I use my iPhone more than my netbook or computer. The only thing that I find difficult when using the iPhone is that the size of the screen is too small. Also, there are many cool iPad apps such as WordPress, Facebook, Docs To Go, etc. that you can use without going on the Internet. You can’t use these apps on the netbook. Apple also offers a 10% discount if their product is used for educational purposes.
Deb
I’m a bit wary of some of the “pros” that are made for the ebook format. A friend of mine is involved in new media publishing, and just returned from New York where he met with publishers (his 2nd trip there). I don’t have solid numbers to back up my claim, but it is my […]
Continue reading Publishing and Opportunities Posted in: Week 06: eBooks
Thanks for the CBC link, Doug, and how could I forget to mention the Chapters/Indigo Kobo – how un-Canadian of me!
Great comparison between the eReader that will win the battle like VHS, which I would add won the battle of analogue video, but lost the war to digital video. When the same battle between HD DVD and Blu Ray was supposedly raging a couple years ago, lots of movie studios were unsure which way to go, as they didn’t want to invest on the losing side. WIthout having a large selection of content to offer, eReaders seem to be dragging behind. Once more news outlets embrace the digital environment, daily newspapers or weekly magazines will be on the frontlines for eBook market.
Hi Kyle,
Beta or VHS? The whole proprietary lock of different brands of e-readers being compatible with certain text formats definitely directed my purchase of the Sony, and my use of the software Calibre. For example, BC has an online library that is accessible through our city library and library card. Through this website one may borrow Adobe EPUB eBooks, Adobe PDF eBooks, OverDrive WMA Audiobooks, and OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks. While all e-readers seem compatible with PDF’s, Kindle does not support the EPUB format, which on my Sony, seems to have the “best” formatting. To address this issue, the desktop software, Calibre, will convert most any format to that desired for a huge number of e-reader brands.
However, it is this plethora of brands and e-book formats that would make me hesitate to dive into the ereader market, if I were purchasing for a school board. It seems that you would either have to have an idea of what titles schools wanted to buy, and work backwards from there, or a magic ball to foresee which device and text formats are left after the market dust settles. For my money, I would guess that an Apple product would be the best bet, as its iBook works on a variety of formats, and many people already possess a compatible device. Time will tell!
Hi All,
I like how you set up the technological warfare. It will only be time before existing technologies are replaced. It’s just a natural phase. That’s the main reason I don’t think we should treat older technologies as outcasts because of the arrival of new ones. Every technology was valuable during its time and should be treated accordingly.
Everton
Good comparison to music, Doug. I know I read in bite-size chunks, and I think my attention span overall (squirrel!) has suffered from my increased connection to digital media in the last ten years. Whether it be attention span, interests, or work, I find the only time I can sit and listen to an album (vinyl, tape, or even CD) the way I used to is in the car on the way to and from work. I never get “headphones” time with music anymore. Similarly, I don’t often have the time to sit and quietly read a book for enjoyment, either. I usually find I get time to read in the car (when not driving this time) or when waiting at an office or something.
The format size of things is changing, isn’t it… listening to whole albums has given way to a singles culture again. Perhaps reading is doing the same. Maybe I read in “singles” – bite-size bits I can skim through.
I wonder about this headphones component, too. How headphones could better connect you with an album and block out distractions. What would be the equivalent for a book? A quiet room with a lamp? An eReader with no web browser?
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David William Price 8:50 am on November 6, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
“Why haven’t EV capitalists taken advantage of the iPad? How come one year ago a bunch of EVC didn’t develop a bunch of amazing support tools and media for the iPad in education”
I suspect the reason is that most software used for education is not designed for education.
MS Word, PowerPoint, Google, reference apps, note-taking apps, etc.
A major trend is users demanding to use their own technology within companies and educational institutions. People already have the hardware and software tools they’re comfortable with. Does it make sense to get into a “get rich slow” educational niche when you can build a tool that everyone wants to use?
I think the prevalence of behaviourist apps in the education market simply highlights how poorly we integrate authentic learning into formal education. When people want to solve a real-world problem, they follow heuristics to find, evaluate, and implement information. I think it was Papert who said a child may not be able to add 3 + 3, but he certainly knows if someone else has more cookies than he does.