The day the iPad was released in Australia I was watching the news. The story on the release featured long lines of people queuing up and so on. The second half of the story featured the Premier of my State, John Brumby, in a school sitting down with children using the iPad. What a statement from the Premier, for his presence in the classroom with the iPad can only led one to believe that this piece of technology will be making its presence felt in not only Victorian schools but schools across Australia.
There can be no doubt that the release of this new device from Apple has been a global phenomenon. It seems as though every person on the street has an opinion on it and they range from echoing the thought of Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, that the device is ‘magical’ right through to those who claim that it is useless. One the most common comments that I have heard in regard to the iPad is the comment that it is a ‘media consumption’ device. Basically it is great to look at stuff on but you cannot really create anything on it. But let me ask you, what is content? Is content a Tweet? If so then the argument is over because Tweeting, using Facebook and sending emails are only some of the functions that are enjoyable and easy on the iPad. But what about building web pages or editing movies? Sure the iPad at this stage is not capable of these things, but remember this is only the first version and Apple has released iWork for iPad, so I think it is only a matter of time before iLife is available as well. For the sake of this article let’s look at what the iPad can be used for right now. Hopefully this will help you understand what this product can offer and can help educate your decision on whether you want to bring it into your classroom.
One of the most common uses of technology in schools is as a research device. The process of research is not a passive one, and when the student is armed with a engaging question or task they can be set loose to research it on the web. The iPad features Safari as its web browser and text and images can easily be saved. The iPad also features a number of Apps that can help the student including a World Atlas and Google Maps. Students can then take the information they have gathered and create their own text document using the built-in Notes App or other Apps such as Pages. Getting used to the touch keyboard may take a little time but this process in itself is fun as typing using the touch screen will be new for most students and a break from a traditional keyboard. The iPad comes with another handy in built App called Photos. This is where photos can be stored and accessed from. There are many Apps such as Masque that allow photo editing, while Apps such as SketchBook allow users to create their own pictures.
When it comes to sound, the iPad features Apps such as Voice Memo which allow the user to make audio recordings using the in-built microphone. These can then be emailed to fellow students or the teacher using the email function. An App called SonicPics allows you to combine photos and voice recordings into a presentation. Once you have organised your photos you then record your narration. Once you are finished you can save your project as a video podcast (.m4v) which can then be shared across all platforms. Students can also use the Keynote App to create presentations that combine text and images. These presentations can include simple builds, animations, and transitions. Text and images can be copy and pasted from the other applications and once the presentation is complete the iPad will plug into a projector.
Clearly there are some limitations with the iPad. It does not have a built-in camera or the ability to edit video. However what it does provide is more than enough to keep learners of all ages and abilities engaged and creating. The major upside with the iPad is the App store. This technology has just been released and already there are thousands of Apps which have been produced specifically for it. The number of Apps will only increase and in the very near future there will be millions to choose from. The Apple iPad may not be able to everything a laptop of desktop computer can do and that is fine, because it is not meant to. What it does do it does very well and very very quickly and for those of you who think that this is just a ‘consumer’ device I have only one thing to say, you are wrong.
Written by Beyond Chalk Blog .Beyond Chalk Blog
