Faculty - Going Forward

I think the iPad will prove useful over time. As more apps are created, teachers and students will find solutions. The iWork suite and iWork.com has limited functionality right now, but I think they will improve as more users ask for the same options. I do not currently use a cloud-based service to store my documents; however, that is a solution for document management.

I feel that iPads could easily replace textbooks, since many already come with a CD-ROM. Teachers who have original or old materials can take the time to scan what they need into pdfs. On the other hand, there will be more and more interesting apps that give teachers access to new information or new ways of communicating the same information. Students can use iCal or other apps to keep track of homework, or receive RSS feeds of homework.

As for integrating iPads into daily use, it might be best to have guinea pig volunteers. A gradual transition is probably best, so there are several go-to people who can troubleshoot problems of new users.

I agree with Tristan's comment that the iPad will prove useful over time. Cautions/Questions: (1) the limited number of apps designed specifically for the iPad at this point in time, (2) the seemingly exponential rate with which the company updates its products. Is there a chance that the iPad be updated (and outdated) as quickly as the first generation iPods were?

RE: Amanda;
I would pretty much guarantee that this version of the iPad will evolve rapidly, especially given the large amount of interest there is surrounding the device. I'm guessing that (just in time for X-Mas), there will be a new iteration that addresses many of the shortcomings of this device.

I guess I, too, am curious to see what the future brings in terms of both apps and modifications to the hardware. Right now, I feel like this is essentially an oversized iPod Touch. I am curious to see if iPad 2.0 will push the evolution of the device towards a more serious productivity tool. I think we also need to consider how we are teaching students to use this technology. Student laptops in the classroom have been a mixed blessing.

I tend to agree with some of the previous comments. If students used these to take notes, they have the ability to draw chemical structures of math problems out within their notes. This is huge advantage over a traditional a computer. From that standpoint I could see this as being more useful. I also like the dependability of this device.

I'm not sure when it will happen, but I'd love to see the school move towards a device like this, issued 1-to-1 to our students in middle and upper school. At the primary grades, a few units in each classroom or classroom sets would seem more in order, as there are a number of quality apps for those grades. This version probably isn't the one to go with, as it will quickly be replaced with something better. But, I really believe this is more student-friendly than we could possibly imagine. It can do so much. It is small enough that it wouldn't disrupt class. Yet, it's large enough that students wouldn't be able to doodle (unless the teacher is asleep at the wheel). As a teacher, I'd probably want to have one, or have access to one at school. But, I would NOT want to trade my MacBook for this. The MacBook is a far superior tool for the teacher.

I agree with all said above. It will be interesting to see what evolutions there will be to the iPad. Guess we will just have to wait and see. Alan made a great comment and i fully agree and stand behind him. The kids that saw my iPad were really excited about it and really wanted to test it out too. Keep us updated tech guys!!!!

I can see the advantage of using the iPad in my classroom right away as a secondary teacher tool. For the future, if students were to have iPads, it would open a whole new set of possibilities. But, I could definitely use it as a tool to fix some of the tech hurdles I face right now. This week I used the iPad and my laptop side by side for different tasks throughout the day, and it seemed to improve my productivity. Thanks for the opportunity!

I could see taking advantage of this tool. I would be interested in going paperless in social studies class, and the iPad could help me do this. I would like to see if we could set up each student with a g-mail account so they can easily email work to me, and I could in return email the work back to them with corrections and grades. The iPad would be a nice tool to use to find links on the internet that will supplement what we are discussing in class. Let's face it, the day of memorizing facts are over with. We need to be able to teach students how to distinguish which facts they find on the internet are true and which ones are false. I am sure that some people would not like the g-mail idea, but if we are going to practice what we preach about sustainability, then this is the way to go. It will be extra work for the teacher to make sure that the students are on task, but we can not fight it anymore.

Though I found the novelty of this tool to be very appealing to my students and I found the applications that it has to be useful, I too would assume that future versions would be even better.