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/
Nice going! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe iPad and its younger siblings the iPhone and iTouch are just the beginning of a whole new area of technology, which will include a whole range of smartphones, tablets, and netbooks from a variety of manufactures. Internet access anywhere and anytime puts a whole new twist on the ability to maximize the use of your time.
With the 3G and 4G mobile internet access available in these devices, the classroom is just a click away. One of the great benefits I see to these devices is to have the ebooks available through Google and others.
The Google ebook site is.
http://books.google.com/
Ginger Harper
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSherry,
ReplyDeleteThe iPad seems to be a very beneficial addition to the classroom concerning emerging technologies. I really enjoyed the video and agree that this technology will enable teachers to differentiate learning and the ability of the iPad to connect to the internet anyway facilitates learning anyplace, anywhere and anytime.
Sherry
ReplyDeleteI agree that the iPad has great potential for anytime anywhere learning. I also think that the ability to use it as a text book would eliminate the need to purchase hardcover editions. Also, if students began to use the ebook they would benefit from information that it frequently updated and not out dated as are many text books currently in use. I am hopeful that the cost will drop as the technology moves from emerging to emerged.