Arizpe's iPad

Hallo!

Henry invited me to this sekrit blog so that I can share what things I've found and used.

Since I was at a conference last week, I decided to take my iPad down with me to see if I could survive on it alone. I didn't do too bad. There were a few kinks which I will ennumerate later.

My set up as follows:

16 gig 3G/Wifi iPad

incipio case -black comes with a clear shield for the screen. (plastic film)

Dagi Pen -A capacitive stylus with many great recommendations. Also works well if you have a shield on the screen. I prefer it to the pogo stick.

I will be getting a portfolio case that is both a bag and case for the ipad. Gotta be in style...:P

Software

3.2.1 - I can't tell the difference between 3.2 and 3.2.1. yay?

Penultimate- $2.99 I spent a bit of time reading reviews and this does seem to have the best note taking ability. I used it predominantly at the conference. The cool thing is that you can export your "notebooks" as single page pdfs, or multi-page pdfs. You can write with your finger or with the stylus (which takes time to get used to.) Well, getting used to writing with your fingers is another matter entirely.

Dropbox- Free I used this as a main source for pdf files of IB materials. Tho, I probably have multiple copies of the same files in DropBox, Stanza, and GoodReader. Each of those programs have their pros and cons. Dropbox allows me to access to my "cloud" whatever files I put in my cloud from my desktop will be accessible on the iPad automatically.

Stanza - Free I used this on the iPhone to access some files and to download free books. This program will give you access to ebooks both free and for a price. PDFs and ebooks can be added from your library via iTunes.

GoodReader- .99 Worth it. And helpful in that you can download files from your cloud drives. (dropbox, .mac account, local servers.) And I noticed that you can actually send files to local printers. (I didn't test it at the conference because it's rude to use printers without permission but they did show up.)

SpaceTime -$9.99 Steep price but for what it offers, I think it was worth it. The desktop version of the program is free for mac and pc. It is a math app that allows you to solve, graph, and script mathematics. The full strength of the program hasn't been tested but the demo was impressive. You can play with the demo its called GraphBook.

QuickGraph - Free It does a good job of making graphs. It was used at the conference for a group problem. Accuracy issues aside, it will give the user a good idea of visualizing graphical math.

FirstClass - Free I didn't think it was a great app on the iPhone, and with the magnification ability on the iPad. (not a naturalized app for iPad) it's improved it somewhat. At least I don't have to wear glasses to read the damn screen. But it'll do in a pinch for reading email. And somewhat better than the web interface.

I'm still looking for other apps for writing, notetaking, and spreadsheets. As I am not entirely convinced of the iWork iPad Apps. Circus Ponies is known for its Notebook program which is quite nice for organization and notation for a desktop-they are working on their own iPad version. When that comes out is anyone's guess. I am still keeping my eyes open for apps that garner good reviews.

As for the use of the iPad at the conference...

Getting used to the stylus in Penultimate was a task that can only be overcome by practice. Typing on the pad without a stand or physical keyboard was interesting. I have become reasonably adept at typing on the screen keyboard but I am not looking at what I am writing, I am looking at my hands. To make sure that I am inputing correctly. The auto-correct function can be annoying and hinder some at times. Another annoyance was the flipping between applications. Flipping between a webpage and notes. Or notes and pdf. I can't wait for the mult-tasking function to come to the iPad.

I'm excited to use it in class but I may need to invest in a matte version of the screen shield for when I use it under the document camera. Hmm. I haven't tried using this with eSIS yet. :)

Talk-n-Type

This post was created using dragon naturally speaking, talking at a moderate voice tone, and pitch, and not speaking to rapidly. Perhaps it could be used for simple e-mails or other administrative or curriculum-based needs.

There was only one error - and I had to add the punctuation.

Might want to follow some of these posts

Found this site while doing some searching using the iPad for K12 stuff. If anything it shows a lot of educators have a lot of interest - lot of questions - and a lot of confusion. But it could lead to some insights.

http://ipad4edu.com/

Something is happening in Canby ...

I quick post on something we need to explore as a group of intrepid iPad evaluators. It seems the fine folks in the Canby School District are really plowing ahead on all things iPad. At least as far as its use in K12. I've only skimmed these links but they seem to have a lot of information.

http://wiki.canby.k12.or.us/groups/ipodusergroup/

http://wiki.canby.k12.or.us/groups/ipodusergroup/wiki/d7bb2/Authorizing_a_central_syncing_station_to_multiple_iTunes_accounts.html

I think a couple of intrepid SHS staffers need to meet these Canbyites .....

Adding PDF Files

Found a simple way to add PDF files to the iPad through a wi-fi connection. All it takes is the Goodreader app (.99 at iTunes). You connect your computer and iPad through an IP address and simply upload your files from your computer. You are able to read your PDF's similar to iBook. Very slick to view; very simple to use.

iPad .... or is it

Actually IMHO, I think the iPad should be called the MyPad. I'll explain below -

GREAT JOB
So these are some first impressions of a few days of iPad usage. Right out in front I have to say Apple got a lot right in the iPad. In fact I'll go as far as saying they pretty well nailed it on how a tablet interface should work. The touch menus and general operation and layout work well. Some of the touch operations can be frustrating but over all very useable.But using a touch screen means the screen will become a smudgy mess in short order. However this is the nature of tablets and the smudging does not horribly affect clarity. That said, I would like the option of say a 2 inch touch space below the screen where I could choose to make some of the finger gestures used in common operation.

THE MyPad and iTunes Whaaaaaa ?
Now we come to a couple of issues - the iPad is very well targeted for its consumer environment. I had expected it to be very simple - but I also expected it to have some of the elements of Apples OS X operating system. And by that I expected it to allow the creation of user accounts. That would allow an account for Mom and Dad and one for the kids --- the kids account could be a PG13 and the adult account have more open access etc. Nope - every one uses the same space - everything is wide open. Thats why I call it a MyPad ... I love my wife but do I want her massive collection of show-tunes and chick-music to be lumped in with my blues-rock-jazz ---- I don't think so. And thats just on the music side ...   This is MyPad, she'll have to get her own.

Now we come to the iTunes issue. I like iTunes and am an avid user - but I was a little floored that to really even use an iPad you need to have an iTunes account. I do not think that is an option - because your password for your iTunes account is the master password (admin password) for the iPad. YIKES ! Now I do see why Apple did this and it comes back to a term I used in another post - DRM or Digital Rights Management. With all that copyrighted material that the iPad is designed to deliver (music - movies - books) Apple uses iTunes as the master gate-keeper. However, there are better ways to create wall of sorts to control the copyrighted materials.
Neither of the above issues are issues for a consumer device ---- but for a device to be used in a multi-user classroom and our district enterprise network - not so good.

A NATURAL READER
OK - I again have to give kudos. Apples iBook on the iPad is fantastic. In fact its so good I had to really try it out and I purchased a Sci-Fi book to read. I've read it over the weekend and it was a very natural and pleasurable experience. I've also downloaded a classic book for free - The Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I'll dive into some of those stories next. Now how this would work in the classroom I'm not sure - more work there to do.

AN ACCESSORY RICH ENVIRONMENT
This is both a plus and a minus. One word - BlueTooth. Want to listen to music or a movie --- you need a BlueTooth headphone set. Which compared to a mini-jack headphone is $$. Now multiply $$ times how many units you have. And I quiver in fear at 15 - 20 - or 30 BlueTooth headsets all negotiating a connection with fidgety impatient students. The good news ----- its a totally wire free experience to use. Joy

A HAM-STRUNG COMPUTER
A final comment on the overall Apple approach - as we have heard and speculated, the iPad is a consumer device really aimed at consumption of media. Versus a laptop - desktop - or netbook which are computers that allow for the easy creation of content be that documents or movies etc. To be fair I've not gone thru this process yet on the iPad - yet .... but I fear it will make me long for the relative ease of using a netbook.

So thats my initial impression from a technical and K12 support point of view ...

iPad teaser ...

I have seen the future of mobile computing --- and it is shweet. After about 48hrs with the device I can see it as a template for future tablets, and setting the bar in many ways for future devices.
However ... there is trouble in paradise. While I've barely scratched the surface of this device - I find some serious flaws right out of the chute. Full post coming.

And keep in mind, the challenge for all of us is to get past the flash - glitz - hype and determine how exactly will a device help a student ...