Sorry for the delay in my post. I do think in concept the iPad is a potential "Tool" that could be used in a 1-to-1. Would it replace a 1-to-1 Laptop project? If you are going to be having students doing things like video editing I don't see it.
But thinking "Outside the box" in concept I see that it could be a lower cost alternative to a laptop project. Used in conjunction to Moodle, or similar web based solution the "Pad" could be used to work in the class electronically. The pad could be used in a Moodle course to view/review content, take quiz/tests, and participate in Chat/Forums. This would become more of a pen/paper replacement than a "Computer" for the class. With electronic rights to Textbooks the students would only have to take home 1 device weighing less than 2 pounds instead of a backpack full of textbooks. But it does not have....., Is it that big of a deal, Just don't think of it as a "Computer" or "Laptop", but a whole new class of device. As a Palm Owner since the original units were released I saw it as a great technology. A device to supplement the computer, allowing me to take the computer data I use the most with me on a small handheld. It was never designed to "Replace" the computer, and I think that was the secret to its success. Although the Palm is on the verge of extinction I still see the concept as a good one. The "Pad" type of device I see as a similar technology. Not a computer replacement, but a supplement. With technology moving to "The Cloud" I guess I don't see a big deal with the lack of USB/SD/Firewire or other jacks, plugs, or holes in the device. I would think with no moving parts, maintenance should be minimal compared to a laptop. The cost also would/could allow you to purchase 2-3 "Pads" to one Laptop. Of course the bad news is that a district would probably still have to maintain traditional computers for higher end processing such as Video/Photo editing, CAD, and such. I guess what I am saying is don't look at this as a traditional computer, but as a new different kind of tool, then think about the problems it could solve. From: Timothy A. Limbert Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 9:17 AM To: info-tech@aea8.k12.ia.us Subject: RE: [info-tech] iPad pro/con Kurt, Yes, I actually agree with you that this is probably not a good 1:1 device, at least not if you expect students to really be able to create and produce. I feel the same way about netbooks. They have a place, and are useful for certain things, but if I'm going to base a full-time take-home 1:1 program around a device, it would be a real fully-functional laptop. I can see some educational uses of the iPad (or a netbook, or an iPod touch, or.), but I'm thinking of certain specific applications, not as general purpose machines. My feeling is that its main benefit is to push technology in a certain direction that might really develop into something. I mean, remember the Apple Newton? It didn't amount to much on its own, but it sure pushed technology in a direction that's become very important today. I'm looking for these 'slate' devices to morph quickly into the next generation of handheld computing devices. --- Timothy A. Limbert Technology Coordinator Newell-Fonda CSD
