Nothing really new, because we have the device at home. I really do like iPads for reading, Twitter, e-mail, calendar.
Here's what I am thinking about school use:
- This isn't a full-blown computer (yet) and yes you do need a full-blown computer every once in a while.
- If it is graphics or audio or video work you will be much happier with a computer.
- Full versions of programs don't run here.
- FileMaker Go and FileMaker are not the same deal for instance.
- SmartMusic still needs a computer, but playback has moved to Android and iOS. (Hey SmartMusic! Next million dollar idea is a full version for the iPad!)
- Those are just two of my favorite programs.
- What if you wanted to do some programming?
- For iOS that is done with a computer.
- What if there ISN'T an app for that?
- I'm glad I don't have to share one of these.
- If you had to share with different settings for each user, you would go nuts.
- I am guessing that kids will have a lot of fun moving the apps around and changing the wall paper.
- A computer can have multiple users.
- I love the fact that I can set things up my way and the rest of the family can have their settings on our computers at home.
- I wish there was more room to store things.
- I think that iPads are a great place to share pictures, but there are only so many gigs to the memory on these.
- The cloud that is coming this fall will have restrictions on the amount of time you photos will be stored.
- I have been known to want to walk around with gigs of data.
- Schools are fairly complex data-wise and I like to use our info.
- I wish it were easier to lock down.
- You MUST wander through and monitor what kids are doing with iPads.
- The remote desktop is easier with computers.
- I love web browsers with "White Lists" for my kids.
- This Safari doesn't have that.
- I wish the web history wasn't so easy to obscure on iPads
- In fact, it is fairly easy. Go to the pages icon and start hitting X's.
- I think that schools will purchase these by the truck load.
- The cost of these is at a tempting price point and yes it is a CPU.
- But can't we do a little better for our students?
- It is a nice transition from paper to digital.
- The form factor is very much like paper and can sit on a desk like a worksheet. Teachers have worked this way for at least a couple of centuries.
Maybe I am being a little persnickety and I don't mean to sound grumpy. iPads will continue to improve. I am guessing that the ability to secure these for classroom use will get better soon (or maybe I am behind on my apps and it has improved already!) But right now, if you could only purchase one device, would this be the device?