It has been interesting to me to watch the reaction to the new iPad. There are the In Steve We Trust true believers who probably would buy the iPad even if it shocked them every time they touched it (and later blogged that it was a great interactive experience). There are the people who love Apple things but are skeptics. Then there are those who can't imagine ever buying it.
Myself, I am a wait and see type; I remember the great skepticism over the iPod.
In the midst of all this hype and hate, I am seeing a fair amount of optimism about the use of the iPad for education. In a blog on The Atlantic magazine's Web site, there is a fairly compelling post that makes the argument that college students are a natural audience for this. Could the iPad launch a revolution in textbooks more effectively than the Kindle? Also, media consumption is a key here, as the iPad would be easier for bedtime TV watching than a laptop.
The most interesting part of the post to me is the cost factor. Most would think, this is too expensive for a college student. But a Penn State student wouldn't need the 3G, we have pretty good wireless coverage here. So, they wouldn't have to spring the extra 3G cash.
Perhaps all of us in educational technology need to get cracking on coming up with ways to integrate the iPad into the classroom (and beyond). The above-linked post makes a strong case.
Myself, I am a wait and see type; I remember the great skepticism over the iPod.
In the midst of all this hype and hate, I am seeing a fair amount of optimism about the use of the iPad for education. In a blog on The Atlantic magazine's Web site, there is a fairly compelling post that makes the argument that college students are a natural audience for this. Could the iPad launch a revolution in textbooks more effectively than the Kindle? Also, media consumption is a key here, as the iPad would be easier for bedtime TV watching than a laptop.
The most interesting part of the post to me is the cost factor. Most would think, this is too expensive for a college student. But a Penn State student wouldn't need the 3G, we have pretty good wireless coverage here. So, they wouldn't have to spring the extra 3G cash.
Perhaps all of us in educational technology need to get cracking on coming up with ways to integrate the iPad into the classroom (and beyond). The above-linked post makes a strong case.
I'll buy at least one ... probably one for home with only wifi and one for travel with the 3G.
I bet we see a lot of them on campus in a year's time.
I have bought an iPad for myself, but honestly I feel it is not a must for students in North America. Students in most North American universities already have access to computers, Internet ... the gadget just offers a fancy interface, convenience of being able to carry it with you .. but these are luxuries. Students should focus more on learning than just getting swayed by these fancy features which come at a high cost.