of iPads" and deployment issues but because the original poster wanted to
remain on topic I am starting a separate post. The use of iPads in Education
was a subject that I wanted to talk about this month at the iPhone Developer
Conference Voices That Matter but because of time constraints and my
commitment to speak at another iPhone Developer conference I didn't. But
iPads in Education is a really interesting topic. So I would strongly
disagree that the iPad is not a learning tool and strictly a device used to
consume digital media. Several examples come to mind to counter a statement
made in that thread.
1. The Brushes app available for the iPhone and iPad was used to create a
cover for the New Yorker Magazine. See
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10250989-93.html. That's creativity at
work.
2. The iPad has been adopted by a large number of parents (don't know if
there has been any formal adoption for a school program) with autistic
children to help their children learn. See
http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-08-11/news/ihelp-for-autism/
3. The Molecules app and the CMOL apps available for iPhone and iPad are 3D
molecular viewers that can help students visualize molecules and use the
unique features of these devices to allow students to interact with the
molecules.
4. The GoSkyWatch Planetarium - the astronomy star guide can be used in the
field to help everyone learn astronomy in a unique way that you cannot with
a laptop because of its very different form factor.
5. And what about the use of these devices in programming courses so that
students can catch the "magic" of developing apps for a mobile device?
There are many more examples of how the iPad can be used for learning. And
we are only at the beginning. As an iOS developer and as someone who has
spent a lot of hours trying to contribute to the education of students in my
school district I respectfully ask and would like to know how everyone is
using iPads in education today and how do you envision it being used?
Danton Chin
Former nine year Board of Education member
Pelham Union Free School District
Pelham, NY
Founding chair of the Technology Committee
iOS Developer and consultant, author, and speaker
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