Currently I do not have an iPad and personally, as of right now, anything that I would want to use the iPad for I can do on my android phone. It’s not that I don’t see the benefits to an iPad, I know there is a lot, it’s just that as of right now in […]
Continue reading Discussion #2: iPad Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps
I am a big fan of tablets, but not of the iPad for a couple of reasons – first of all, I am a PC user (always have been) and have not been part of the Apple family and so I find the iPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac family to be very foreign and I am […]
Continue reading I am a big fan of tablets, but not of th… Posted in: Uncategorized
Thanks for your post Brenda. There seems to be very little ground regarding Apple products – you either really really like them, or your not a fan. I personally have an ipod and 2 pcs (just received my first laptop this weekend). I really like my ipod for games, but do my ‘business’ on my PCs.
It is funny that you should mention that your Board is turning towards an ‘Bring you Own Device’ policy. Where I work is leaning towards that as well, and a new policy is being drafted as we speak. That will mean quite a varied array of devices that may require some accommodation on our end. I have seen a small number of tablets at work (or tablet like devices) which employees really seem to like. In regards to Flash – it really is a limitation in regards to being able to exploit the full potential of multimedia usage. One of the many legacies of Steve Jobs.
So in the classroom, multimedia presentations/learning/usages may be certainly restricted related to this potential issue seen in the iPad. The other issues is how do you meld all these tablets and devices in a class of students who may or may not have access versus those that do.
Hi Brenda, thanks for sharing your experience. Indeed, the lack of Flash reader is one of the major issues to consider when deciding between iPads and other tablets, as many web 2.0 tools are based on Flash. However, apps developers are working to overcome this problem. For example, Prezi (www.prezi.com) has just launched a version for iPads. Glogster (http://edu.glogster.com) is working on this too.
I am glad to hear that your school board is turning towards the policy of “bring your own device”. As Deb mentioned this will mean that we should need some accommodations.
Angela.
A bit OT, but I bought a Playbook to use on the go. I’ve done a lot of reading for MET courses on public transit! Portability is a big issue for me and the Playbook fits in my pocket when I have big pockets 😉
I also use the Playbook in class for taking pictures or video recordings of group work, which I then project on the LCD Projector.
I think we’ll see a move away from being a PC vs Mac (or vice versa) system in schools. Especially as kids start bringing in more and more of their own stuff. It seems that as we move into m-learning, it is inevitable that there will be all different kinds of devices in our everyday interactions. I think we’ll get used to it. It just means that when designing learning activities for our students, we’ll have to always be considering this.
Our schools used to be totally PC, then went totally Mac, and in the last 5 years have gone somewhere in between. The art and media studies teachers have lots of macs available, most others have PCs, but now we’re starting to see some ipads too.
Emily
Emily
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Angela Novoa 11:40 am on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yo have provided a different perspective in which iPad can be useful. I have not think that iPad could be useful for children with disabilities, so I find very interesting the information you have provided. You are right about its disadvantage: the cost of this device is an issue because it is not available to everyone.
Angela.
Kristopher 12:40 pm on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Have you seen the app where three year olds can trace letters and learn to write? I am baffled.
For me, in my life right now the iPad wouldn’t meet my needs. I need to be able to sit and be prepared to work the long haul on assignments and that requires a different, more economic setup. When I graduate (hopefully shortly!!), I would be much more prepared to go to an iPad. Something makes me think I should send the link of this page to my partner as a subtle hint. 🙂
Cheers,
Kristopher