Why iPad?
I am lucky enough to have had an iPad (a personal one, not a work one) from the beginning and have been using it at home (instead of my home laptop and often instead of my phone), very occasionally for work (I would use it more because of the mobile nature of my job if it was a work device) but also a lot as a learner (Open University, H800 Technology-enhanced-learning: practices and debates). I have resisted blogging about the iPad for a few weeks because I wanted to give myself time to see how I would use it for real in all of these circumstances, rather than cooing over its loveliness (imo) and then working out what apps were available and how other people might use it. Anyway, here are my thoughts so far (starting with the ‘why nots’) about the iPad:
Why not?
- It’s expensive … especially when you already have tools that do the jobs you need them to.
- Editing online can be difficult / doesn’t happen … which I needed to be able to do via Moodle and GoogleDocs for my Open Uni course.
- It doesn’t play Flash video … which has actually only been annoying when I wanted to watch something on the BBC website.
Why iPad?
- It’s very portable … and less conspicuous than a laptop or netbook when you are using it on the move, for example on a plane or in a coffee shop. I have also literally used it ‘on the move’, taking notes as I walked about a potential venue; I couldn’t have done that with my laptop and it would have been awkward with my phone.
- It has a great battery life … plus the charger is very compact and light to carry too.
- Everything looks great on the screen … better than a mobile, as good as/better than a netbook.
- More and more apps and support materials are being developed daily … TeachWithYouriPad is a wiki set up to support teachers, iPads in Education is another such website; iPads are a regular blog feature of Gloucester College’s James Clay at the moment too and I’m looking forward to mTouch and mBook, two Moodle apps that are being developed.
- It is another great tool for supporting mobile learning: accessing online course materials, forums and blog posts (via Moodle for me); carrying and accessing offline course materials (GoodReader app for me); making digital notes (the standard basic notepad is great for simple notes); having online access to all files (Dropbox) and bookmarks (Delicious); staying in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Skype; listening to course related podcasts and watching videos downloaded via iTunesU or on YouTube.
I am more than happy to say that the iPad isn’t perfect and that (as a learner) there are a few things it doesn’t do well. I also agree with the argument that a laptop or a phone or a mix of both would do the job too. However, having started my working life as a new product development technologist, who was constantly looking for the ‘next thing’, I don’t think that having something that does the job OK already is a good enough reason not to innovate and be creative and think differently. Just because something might not seem to have a place at this moment in time, it doesn’t mean it won’t in the future … how many used to think there was no need for computers in the home, or that mobile phones (and text messaging) would be something for a few? I am not saying that I think everyone will have iPads (or their equivalent) in the future, I just think that when we are talking about personal technology (which I think this is) it is good to remember that it isn’t what the tool can do that is important, it is what the tool can do for you.
(If you would like this blog post as an audio file please click this link or right click the link and choose to save the mp3 file. Please note: the audio file was created quite simply by pasting the text into Balabolka (one of the tools available as part of My Study Bar/EduApps) and saving as an mp3 audio file).
Tags: Delicious, Dropbox, GoodReader, iPad, mobile learning, moodle
August 25th, 2010 at 10:28 am
I am still undecided about the ipad. I don’t own one, I have used one, and I am peering closely at those who do. I am also looking at the market at the whole – and this is where I think the ipad will make the greatest impact, as many of Apple’s products usually do. There seems to be multiple announcements each week about a new tablet or “pad” technology from various manufacturers offering a variety of platforms – and this is really nice to see. The ipad had put a gust of wind into the market and as devices with more functionality appear, the application in an educational and work settings will widen. What is for sure that Apple and their competitors will now continually crank innovations up a notch to try and get one over each other – and this will be very interesting – particularly with Chrome OS and Android based “pads” on the way.
August 25th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Interesting post – I’m much more sceptical (to the point of being a bit cross with Apple) about the iPad in spite my admiration for it. See http://digitalmigrant.blogspot.com/search/label/iPad for my reflections.
August 25th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Thanks for this Helen. I have coveted one for ages and now might be getting one for use in work investigatingt its usage for work based (mobile) learning mostly, so will be coming back to you for hints and tips frequently no doubt – if it materialises of course
October 22nd, 2010 at 10:45 am
I have been using them since the day they were released I’m currently updating them as I type to 3.2 OS ( taking 40 mins each one 1 down 6 to go ..)
As I predicted the affordance of applications has proven to be good, the accessabilty tools are good also.
Learners familiar with iPod touches, iPhones have embraced them, the use of mTouch+ is great with the Moodle.
and iGaleri which works with Gallery 2 enhances and eases user interaction with the http://galericymru.com website ..
There are so many positives that out weigh the few negatives.. having seen other tablets, iRobot is the best offering running on android BUT its 1/2 the size of the iPad which lets it down.
The iPad led the way and still does lots of collaborative tools Google Application connects easily to Google accounts and is a breeze to use and Drop Box too.
Ohhh so useful..