A current technology that is very new and is emerging that could be very useful in the classroom is the iPad. I have had a chance to work with this piece of technology and the there are great possibilities for the future classroom. This particular piece of technology may not be currently in use in classrooms but it could be very beneficial. Talk about putting the likes of a computer in the hands of every student - and the potential for the use of on the spot technology and applications would be literally at your finger tips. The iPad connects to the web “via high-speed 802.11n Wi-Fi. And when you’re away from a Wi-Fi network, you can surf from just about anywhere with optional 3G networking” (http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/safari.html. With more and more schools going wireless the iPad would work well and the 3G capability could be tapped into for field trips.
One problem or challenge that comes along with this technology is the price tag. The iPad starts at $499.00 at the lowest and goes up from there. I can see this being a problem for many schools especially since the ‘netbook’ is on the rise and as stated by Dr. Thornburg - “these devices not only reduce power consumption, they are also quite inexpensive – typically less than $300 per unit” (Thornburg, 2009, p. 2). One other issue that might be a problem would be users who are not familiar with Mac applications such as iWork, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.
I believe that the need it meets is one of wireless accessibility and “right here, right now technology” (Thornburg, 2009, p.8). There are many benefits associated with this and the greatest in my opinion is the ability to put the power of the web and applications such as those mentioned earlier in your hand anywhere you go weather that is on the bus, in the car, on a field trip, or on the family vacation over spring break.
I think that applications that are PC oriented (e.g. word, power point, publisher, excel…) would make this technology even better and accessible to more people. This may already be possible as I know Microsoft has a Mac version of these software products… I’m just not sure that they are available for the iPad. Something else that I believe would make the technology even better is a lower price through competition. This is already in the making as there is talk of a “Google Android Tablet” in the making (Raphael, 2010). This could give the iPad some competition and lower the cost.
Check out the video below to see what is available for educational purposes using the iPad.
References:
Raphael, J. (2010). The Google Android Tablet: Coming soon? Retrieved on June 16, 2010 from http://www.pcworld.com/article/194036/the_google_android_tablet_coming_soon.html
Rocknlearn. (2010, April, 3).[Video file]. The iPad and Education. Video posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W09ldqLxTpw
Thornburg, D. (2009). Current trends in educational technology. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2010, from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/14936/CRS-WUEDUC8812-3730077/current_trends_in_ed_tech.pdf
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/safari.html
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
