Teacher Discussion Forums

[Rp]

Hello,
Not sure if this is the correct thread for this, but..... has anyone tried using Apple's iPad for teaching sessions? I have been considering using one but with its 10 inch screen I am wondering how good it would be for group work. One on one may be okay but I am hoping someone out there has tried one.

If so, please let me know how it is going and how you used it.

thanx

[matbury]

Hi Rp,

My question is, why use iPads? There are several reasons why they are unsuitable for elearning:

#1 - They don't support Flash, which is the de facto elearning software platform and used for most on-line multimedia, and there are no practical workarounds.

#2 - They don't have a real keyboard and the on-screen virtual keyboards are awkward for most people to use.

#3 - They aren't multi-tasking so it's difficult to use multimedia and since iPad doesn't support Flash, Java or other browser media plugins, on-line multimedia is also very difficult to access.

#4 - iPads are very expensive. Netbooks, laptops, desktops, etc. are all cheaper and support all the software types you'll need.

I hope this helps!

[chatfouz]

of course the ipad is useful
i use in my classroom

we have one of those elmo's - the camera that looks down and projects on teh wall so all the kids can see what you are drawing...

Put an ipad on it and now you have a 5ft ipad. I use it for pictures, drawing, and sometimes quiz games. Plenty of ipad toefl quiz programs, put it on the projecter and let students write down answer or answer in groups. Then reveal the answer.

Sure some would argue you oculd do this with powerpoint, but on the ipad it needs 0 work and powerpoint can be boring. this is at least different.