The iPAD arrives, First Thoughts…

Well the tablet and the iPAD is everywhere in the news, whether it be Pilots throwing away their manuals and going completely tablet based or even bigger stories heralding that the iPAD is taking over the workplace whether that is schools, colleges, American football teams or even hospitals. The question however is whether these are the start of a flood and a new paradigm that is beyond that the tablet is a fun and entertaining device – and will lead to a real change in how we all work and communicate?

Obviously the reason I and many educators are asking this – is that we are on that same verge where many schools including mine are looking at implementing an iPAD program but want to make sure it is more than a gimic but is an actual game changer. 600 + districts in the US definitely think so but do I after having played with my shiny new iPAD for just over two weeks?

As a proud owner of an iPHONE for over 3 years – I know and can understand the allure of Apple products but it is I always believe important especially in a school environment that you look beyond the shiny Aluminium shell to what lies beneath. The interesting question however that I must layer on top of  ‘is the iPAD going to be useful in education’ –  is in what way will it be useful and to what age groups?

Our intention at ACS Egham is to follow a 1-to-1 program with DP1, Grade 11 IB Diploma students who are aged 16 and 17 years old. Where the iPAD will be used in a very similar way to that of myself or any other professional – in that it will be used to organise, plan a students two years of study while allowing for unparalleled collaboration and sharing. More to follow shortly…

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