Scientists Using iPad at Archeological Site

Posted on by mkaufman

Entering data about an excavated basin rim into FMTouch. Its lack of moving parts makes iPad preferable to laptops in the trenches, where dirt finds its way into keyboards, ports, and screen hinges.

As more and more iPads find their way into work environments – both in the office and out – it is likely their use will highlight some of the value teachers and school officials may find in adopting the iPad for school settings.

Apple has a number of great examples on their web site of iPad changing the way people do business. In this one example – Discovering Ancient Pompeii with iPad – they highlight how the iPad is revolutionizing how scientists work in the field. Rather than recording notes and sketches on paper, researchers at the site use iPad and apps to capture invaluable historical data faster, more easily, and with far better accuracy.

Imagine how this kind of application can be applied in school settings. Not only does this change the dynamic in the classroom but it also untethers the learning from inside the classroom and allows students and teachers the option of taking the learning outside – into the community. Doesn’t that make sense? Isn’t that the kind of learning we would imagine for our children?

I’m excited about this kind of possibility!

The applications mentioned in this article are:

iOS 4.2 for iPad includes AirPrint

Posted on by mkaufman

One of the complaints that people have had with the iPad is the inability to print. A couple of weeks ago Apple released the first Developer Beta for iOS 4.2, allowing developers to get an idea of what iOS 4 is like on an iPad. Click here for a video preview of the release. Obviously the ability to multi-task will be welcomed by many iPad users however the update’s headline feature is wireless printing, which Apple has called “AirPrint”.

I imagine schools will find the ability to print just one more reason to use iPads in School (or one more reason to be happy they are already using the iPad in School).

Here is a quote from the Press Release that accompanied the announcement of AirPrint: AirPrint wireless printing for iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch® to members of Apple’s iOS developer program today, and that AirPrint will be included in the free iOS 4.2 software update in November. AirPrint automatically finds printers on local networks and can print text, photos and graphics to them wirelessly over Wi-Fi without the need to install drivers or download software.

The 4.2 update will bring the iPad into line with iPhone and iPod Touch which have been running iOS 4 since July.

Best Apps for Business

Posted on by mkaufman

ipad for business professionals

I have been following a blog by a guy who decided to run his business using just the iPad for one month (right from the release of the device in April). He’s had some interesting experiences and now after several months he has published his list of what he considers the best iPad applications for business. This list contains the apps on his iPad plus a list of apps that have been submitted by other readers of his blog.

I imagine that many of these applications would make a good addition to the list of applications that schools will use. These could be on both sides of the process – the administration and teaching side as well as the learning side.

Here’s his list.

It starts with Paul’s favorite (best) iPad Apps (in order of the amount of time he spends using them):

  • OmniFocus – The iPad specific version of this game changing productivity app is everything we hoped it would be.
  • SimpleNote– Making the notes that matter and making them available wherever you might be (this is an app that comes with iPhone version for easy syncing back and forth.
  • LogMeIn Ignition – Our remote access client of choice.  Easy to use, no monthly service and a Universal App.  Once you purchase this, you can run as many computers as you want from both your iPhone and iPad.
  • 1Password Pro – Universal app for 1Password (iPhone/iPad) version – now with Dropbox Sync.  Awesome password solution.
  • Reeder – Best RSS reader.  Integration with Google Reader.
  • Instapaper – Words can’t describe what a game changer this one is. Quick and easy parsing and selecting of the articles that you want to read – later – without the ads and annoying formatting.
  • Keynote – I haven’t done a presentation on a laptop since I bought this app.
  • OmniGraffle – Create a quick (and gorgeous looking) diagram or chart in seconds with this one. We use it at Colligan.com to map out all of our processes.
  • Dropbox – This is the files in the cloud solution for everyone.  Most app builders are building integration with DropBox and, well, we love it.  Also a Universal app with a great iPhone version.
  • Evernote – Don’t forget anything.  Hard to explain.  Universal app with iPhone and desktop versions (Mac and PC).  Free for the basic stuff.

Here are some of his reader’s favorites.  He polled them a few times and these keep coming up at the top.

And here’s the link to Paul’s blog Paul’s iPad dot com.

Apps for Students

Posted on by mkaufman

It’s a little cheezy but the following video has some applications for students that can be used on an iPhone or an iPad (or an iPod Touch).

Here are the references referred to in the video:

Coursesmart – Textbook eReader (http://www.coursesmart.com/iphone)
iStudiez Pro – Student Planner (http://www.istudentpro.com)
Cram – Study Tool w/Flashcards & Tests (http://www.cramapp.com)
Articles – Wikipedia (http://www.sophiestication.com/articles/)
Grades – Grade Course Calculator (http://www.gradesapp.com)

More Schools Take Up The iPad

Posted on by mkaufman

What’s so hot?

It’s only been a few months since Apple released the iPad and since that time it is becoming much more than it was originally marketed as – a simple media device.  There are now something like 14,000 apps making it possible to do just about anything you want with the iPad.

Do you want to learn music? Be a DJ? Learn to cook? or Learn a language? There are even more and more business applications focused on improving the running and managing of just about every aspect of business. Every day the applications get better and better.

The iPad in Education

Is the schooling system ready for something like this? Is the iPad the one device for all your learning needs?

Imagine being able to walk into a College bookstore and instead of getting a bunch of expensive and bulky books/learning aids, you simply download everything you need to your iPad.  Now you can study, take notes, communicate and collaborate with your fellow students using just one tool.

And this isn’t just wishful thinking. Here is a list of ways that the iPad is planning to be used in education:

  • The School of Medicine at Stanford University has adopted Apple’s iPad, providing the device to all incoming first year medical students and Master of Medicine students. The school cited four reasons behind the new program, including student readiness, noting that iPad “creates opportunities for efficient, mobile, and innovative learning.”
  • Setton Hill University (Pennsylvania) has committed to giving each of its 2100 full time students an iPad.
  • George Fox University right here in Oregon recentlyannounced that it would be giving its new students the choice between a Macbook or an iPad.
  • Oklahoma State University will be piloting an iPad initiative with 125 students in five different courses during the fall term.
  • The University of Maryland is providing iPads to 75 incoming Honors students in the fall.
  • Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop High School was the very first high school to provide an iPad to each of their 320 students
  • Northwest Kansas Technical College is going to provide an iPad to every student who registers for the Fall 2010 term – and they will be providing their content via iTunes.
  • Sacramento Country Day School has announced they are giving iPads to every sixth grader at no cost to the parents.
  • Monte Vista Christian School already gave 60 of its AP students iPads with eBooks preloaded.

It will be very valuable to see how this evolves and how schools end up using the iPad to assist in the students’ learning endeavors.  Simply giving one away is not going to do much.  If schools can change the process they use AND provide interesting content that is integrated into the learning experience the possibilities could be quite exciting.

What do you think?  Would you use it in school? What do you see the are the benefits of the iPad in schools?