iPad
I’ve been experimenting with the new Apple iPad for a week or so. A number of people have already bought their own, and with the millions sold already, that reflects their primary purpose – as a personal device. We are obviously looking at the potential to harness or integrate it as a tool for Learning and Teaching.
Like the iPhone and iPod Touch it runs a mobile version of MacOS X and is tied into Apple’s iTunes for syncing and managing apps, music, photos and other media. The iPad integrates well with Aston email and wireless networks – it ‘just works’. We bought the wifi only version and several CLIPP staff have already borrowed it to get a feel for it. I will bring it along to the LTWG Dissemination event on Friday 9th July in SW309 – try it with coffee and muffins!
I synced it with an iTunes account on my desk PC that I was already using for other devices, and added some more iPad specific apps to test it out, including Apple’s Pages, Numbers and Keynote Office applications. I also loaded some free apps like iBooks and specialised scientific apps.
The two of the main limitations were, the ability to output VGA so it can be used in pool rooms like a laptop, and transferring files between the iPad and other devices and desktops. The most widely publicised limitation is the lack of Adobe Flash support, but I can’t say I’ve noticed it as a problem yet because many online services support alternative technologies without the limitations of Flash on mobile devices.
Dropbox was one simple(and Free) solution for transferring and syncing files, there are many others including Evernote, Google Docs, MobileMe and other ‘cloud’ services. VGA output(eg. for pool room presentations) is limited to those applications that choose to implement it, or to specific modes within them. There are also some surprising limitations in the native Apple applications that limit VGA output to ‘slideshow’ modes in Photos and Keynote presentations for example.
I have written a support document that covers all these limitations and solutions and will keep it updated.
Well before the iPad, I’ve been experimenting with many apps on an iPod and iPhone and found several very helpful, and many are now being enhanced for the new iOS4 and iPad’s higher screen resolution. A good example of use for Learning and Teaching is the PebblePad app which is very useful for blogging and posting quick ‘thoughts’ to reflect on our Learning experiences.
Finally, one of the major strengths of the iPad and other Apple devices is accessibility and deserves a separate blog on its own when I’ve done some more research… or someone else has, see the comments below.
10 Responses to “iPad”
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hoototma on July 6th, 2010
now selling millions – a month!
http://www.reghardware.com/2010/07/06/ipad_production_hits_2m/
kbrace on July 9th, 2010
I borrowed the ipad last week for a few days, and was very impressed by the books functions. The ability to have the text red back, add notes and bookmarks really makes this very versatile. Ideal for dyslexic learners. Others in my family found the piano keyboard much fun, and the Toy Story interactive book really impressed all.
Another post on the accessibility features of the ipad is needed.
hoototma on July 13th, 2010
Princeton have just completed a pilot study with Amozon’s KindleDX eBook reader that might be useful for comparison.
http://www.princeton.edu/ereaderpilot/
And JISC a short review(.PDF) in their latest Newsletter
http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/pdf/intermedia004.pdf
hoototma on July 16th, 2010
Apple UK just rang after reading this blog!
They asked for feedback on Educational use. I also mentioned the CLIPP iPod project in Optometry and CSAM student ‘app’ project.
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/clipp/projects/2009/portable-wi-fi-enabled-device-to-enhance-feedback-of-students-in-the-optometry-public-clinics/
There are several other CLIPP projects also using iPads:
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/clipp/projects/
“Having iPad VGA output from apps by default would be very useful for both educational & business purposes, particularly for Safari web browsing(rather than just embedded web videos).”
I had also registered a similar comment on Apple (SDK?) feedback web page.
kbrace on July 27th, 2010
Two more Ipad reviews worth a read, Tim et al:
http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/pdf/intermedia004.pdf
http://wblwestmids.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-ipad.html
Tim on July 27th, 2010
Thanks, and here are some interesting links that highlight the current limitations of the iPad, and iOS in general, at handling documents:
Apps and Docs in iOS
http://db.tidbits.com/article/11430
Take Control’s Problems with Apps and Docs in iOS
http://db.tidbits.com/article/11459
New school program for iOS apps doesn’t address all IT needs(added 10/8/10)
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/08/new-school-program-for-ios-apps-doesnt-address-all-it-needs.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss
Tim on August 6th, 2010
I’ve just had a short break, but the iPad has been very busy first at UCISA conference with a colleague from ISA, and then with MLT colleagues.
I’ve just resynced and updated 20 of the 70 or so apps and configured the email, VPN & RDC for some more support experiments.
Currently a range of 24 universal apps, 27 iPhone/Pod apps and 20 dedicated iPad apps, to show some of the capabilities. We also have VGA and Camera/USB adapters to try.
Tim on August 9th, 2010
I was going to do a separate post on accessibility, but I came across these:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2010/08/for-visually-impaired-most-e-readers-barely-measure-up.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss
http://www.padgadget.com/2010/08/09/how-ipads-are-helping-people-with-disabilities/
They are US oriented, but cover it well and from an HE and eBook perspective including alternatives. There are also numerous resources on the Apple website and 3rd party apps in iTunes(from Taptotalk, iConverse, ADHD, AspD, to Proloquo2go).
http://www.apple.com/uk/accessibility/
http://www.hardmac.com/articles/321
and further(future?) food for thought:
http://blog.futurestreetconsulting.com/?p=391
hoototma on September 28th, 2010
some related more links:
http://speirs.org/blog/2010/9/23/the-ipad-project-how-its-going.html – practical experiences
http://behindthecurtain.us/
Austin Seraphin blog – life changing experiences
Tim on November 18th, 2010
latest related news reviews:
http://www.digmo.co.uk/news/google-docs-for-education-now-on-ipad/
http://www.digmo.co.uk/apps/14-educational-apps-for-ipad-that-offer-video-out/
http://www.learninggeneralist.com/2010/11/mobile-learning-7-interesting-patterns.html
and iOS4.2 coming soon…
http://www.apple.com/ipad/software-update/
29/11 update: I’ve now installed iOS4.2.1 and setup FindMyiPhone too!