Tech Blog

[#1]

Getting ready for back to school is always fun. Okay sorta. Fine it isn't fun. However, more and more secondary schools and universities are trying to crank their use of tech up a few notches: schools are giving students iPads for their textbooks. Think this is a pie-in-the-sky idea only for the cash-rich? Think again. You can save $100 a book on paper vs electronic versions of many textbooks (if you buy them new). Sure this isn't a solution for everyone, but let's look at the merits more closely for a minute.

There have been lots of debates about having laptops in classrooms, although having some kind of computer is essential to higher ed these days. I think, however, the case for iPads in class is a much, much better one. Beyond the potential for cost savings on textbooks, You can carry all your books for the day in a small device…and frankly textbooks weigh a ton, this will be welcome to anyone who has a serious class load. How about taking notes? Even paired with a wireless keyboard, the sum total weigh is less than a laptop. There are a ton of free solutions for taking notes on the iPad. If you're of the more doodle minded, there are apps that do that too.

But is it better?

Myself I prefer to read on my iPad now. In fact I'd love to be able to exchange new hardcover books that I bought for e-versions of the titles. What about taking notes on your texts on the iPad? Can you really have all your notes in one place? That might be trickier. Sharing notes in class? I think there are ways to get there. As a teacher, I would love to be able to push info to my students on there iPads. I think there is huge potential for collaborative learning with the iPad. Yes, I know we could do it on the laptop before, however I think the combination of touch and mobility makes for a better experience (potentially) on the iPad.

There are a lot of schools who are testing the waters this fall, and while I don't think the iPad can 100% replace textbooks or laptops, I think there are some great examples and experiments that we'll have to watch.

More info:

• Thoughts on the iPad in Education : Online Blogucation
• iPad goes under the gauntlet at universities this fall
• Duke University, Other Colleges & Universities to Deploy iPad for Education

Disclosure: Pearson Technology Group is the publisher of all of my books. Pearson Education is also one of the largest publishers of textbooks in the world and have a large hand in pushing into the electronic publishing arena.