Apple iPad: Magical & Revolutionary

All the frenzy recently over Apple's iPad has educators wondering "if" the new device has as educational purpose rather than just providing a means for users to consume news and information.

Apple calls the iPad a "magical and revolutionary device." I am still wondering about the magical and revolutionary. Of course, as an avid reader and educator in need of books while living in remote places where adequate libraries are not nearby the iPad does appear to be magical because of its' ability to download and store many books in digital format. Having a library in your hands instantly would seem like magic to some. But then that's not much different than the Kindle, is it?

But when I start thinking about the iPad pedagogically, that's where I don't think I have enough information yet as to th iPad's capability to enhance or extend the learning of students. I haven't had one in my hand, but it would be good to begin imagining how it might be used.

Also, using the TPACK Model of Technology Integration helped me to put this new device's use into a different perspective for educators. We should be thinking of ways the iPad can support content and pedagogy, rather than whether we are disappointed in the new product's features.

Yes the iPad would be helpful for developing countries' schools to put a whole library of books quickly into the hands of students. And, yes information is powerful. It would help students quickly access journals, articles, and newspapers to talk about current events or historical events. My own students would love the availability of many books they don't have quick access to.

Yes the iPad does have a larger interface that would make playing educational games better for students ergonomically. It would be definitely easier for younger students to play MMORPGs on a larger screen.

An iPad could provide opportunities for students in the field to upload pictures to Flickr, post to blogs, and contribute to Wikis -provided there is Internet access. Definitely the iPad will play a big role in mobile learning and cloud computing will become more advantageous with the wide spread use of these devices. So my mind is just beginning to formulate some ideas about how the iPad could fit into education.

It may seem magical to some, but revolutionary- I 'm not so sure about. It will take more research on the product and time to decide if it is revolutionary for technology integration into educational purposes.