Category Archives: Anticipating the Future

This category will primarily be focused on articles, applications, and predictions of things to come.

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.

10 Ways the iPad Can Change Schools

Posted on by mkaufman

I just came upon this list of 10 ways the iPad can change schools. I’m still not sure about the content creation aspects of the iPad but I’m definitely open to seeing improvements in that area.

June 21st, 2010

The iPad is still a novelty in the tech world and especially in education, where it’s being used experimentally as a content delivery and even as a content creation tool. If you’re an online college student, you’re already familiar with many digital tools and applications that help you connect to the greater academic community and your fellow online students, but the iPad may herald the future of the “tablet classroom,” even for elementary-aged students. Keep reading for 10 ways that the iPad will forever change education.

  1. Students will have automatically updated information: If classrooms are able to supply every student with an iPad, then textbooks wouldn’t be needed again. Instead of waiting for the school district’s budget to increase so that they can get new textbooks, teachers will be able to facilitate up-to-the-minute information, research, multimedia, and news stories for each lesson, via the iPad, instead of using outdated printed books. E-textbooks are being developed for higher education now, and more sophisticated versions for all levels of students are expected to be released in the future.
  2. It promotes active, engaging learning: Parentdish.com explains that other e-readers like the Amazon Kindle are static, but the iPad is interactive and cooperates with apps that integrate music, video and other media and experiences into reading and learning, which in the past have been traditionally passive in nature. With certain apps, Internet access and other tools, students can instantly apply their lessons to real-world problems, giving their learning experiences more depth while improving critical thinking and decision-making skills at an early age.
  3. iPads may foster customized learning: Customized learning programs and hybrid education programs — in which some of the teaching is conducted online, even in secondary and primary schools — are gaining traction in some schools around the country, and the iPad is a logical asset to these experimental, progressive systems. Edutopia’s Bob Lenz believes that the potential exists for teacher-designed applications and programs that will offer students customized lesson plans and annotated e-textbooks. Students will also have the opportunity to create their own blogs, research and even e-books with the tools and access provided by the iPad.
  4. Budget-friendly equals more access: The price of iPads haven’t yet leveled off, but they’re still more economical than the kind of laptops that have competitive web access and applications. Some analysts believe that schools would be more likely to purchase iPads than laptops for students, giving more students access to digital learning tools and new technology. Furthermore, if students can keep the same iPad for several years — or even trade it in for new updates every so often — it is far cheaper than purchasing a whole new set of textbooks for each child from kindergarten through 12th grade.
  5. It offers a range of tools without multitasking options: This feature is considered a major plus for some iPad users and a huge downfall for other tech lovers. While other tools, including basic laptops, allow for multitasking applications and the ability to run more than one application at once, the iPad’s simplicity is actually ideal for classroom learning. Students can read all the content their teachers want them to access, but without the distractions. That means that kids can’t play games while pretending to follow along with the lesson, and teachers still have control over the classroom.
  6. They bring mobility to education: We expect kids to lug home back-breaking loads of textbooks to do their homework, but wouldn’t it be easier for them if they only had to carry around an iPad? Besides being physically ightweight, the iPad’s mobility means that kids can work on homework and projects from anywhere, at any time. They’re constantly tuned into learning — every teacher’s dream.
  7. Content delivery is being revolutionized: Students now have virtually unlimited opportunities for receiving educational content. Beyond static textbooks or even PowerPoint presentations, developers are experimenting with multimedia games, e-books, databases and other platforms for creating and delivering content for learning.
  8. It encourages social interaction during learning: This feature is especially encouraging for distance learners who study independently. An article from the University of Texas’ Continuing and Innovative Education blog points out that “as ideas or questions occur to a student while reading an online textbook, he or she can immediately share them with other students through a class’s social networking group page.” Additionally, students have instant access to reference tools and multimedia support to help them understand what they’re reading, even if they’re away from their laptops.
  9. iPads can boost productivity and organization: With apps from Blackboard and other education content organizers, iti will be easier for students to contact teachers, keep track of schedules and deadlines, and even find their assignments and task lists.
  • They open students up to a global learning community: iPads continue the tech trend of opening users up to the rest of the world. Even young students will be able to communicate with kids from around the world, learn from teachers at other schools, and collaborate on projects and participate in discussions within the greater, global academic community.

    • Here’s the blog post where I found this list.

    iPad in Schools Discussion Groups

    Posted on by mkaufman

    I recently became aware of this online discussion that was started on the Apple Discussion boards.

    It seems there is also a ning group started for educators using or exploring the use of the iPad in schools. From the discussion board:

    There are two nings here addressing some of the questions you asked: one is part of a general ed tech discussion (http://isenet.ning.com/forum/topics/ipads-in-education) and one is more focused on the specifics of ipads (http://ipadeducators.ning.com/). Neither are terribly active (former has more going on than the latter) but you may find some answers on there, or at least get discussions going.

    Here’s another discussion forum I discovered. It’s located in Australia – but the conversation is relavent no matter where you are:

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1408212.html

    Will the iPad Fail in Schools?

    Posted on by mkaufman

    I just read an article written for a business magazine, Network World, written by a Chief Information Officer, where he argues that the iPad may fail in schools because of what he calls ‘flaws’ in the design.

    In the article it describes on high school in Michigan (again a private school) that would love to get ahold of 700 iPads (it’s an all boys school). The problem they have is that there is no remote monitoring of the iPad like there is for laptops so teachers wouldn’t be able to insure students are looking at what they want them to be looking at.

    Here’s the dilemma this school faces. They want a device that can be used to run a whole lot of different applications and has good battery life – and they want to connect these devices to the teachers computer so they can be monitored. Laptops and netbooks fulfill the first criteria but not the second.

    Here’s the situation in the words of the school:

    The big idea is to have students conduct browser-based research, participate in discussions, take virtual field trips at institutions around the world, use app tools for math and science, write essays, take notes, and read e-books and PDF handouts.

    and later,

    “So far, we haven’t found the right solution,” Lawson says. “We flirted with netbooks, and at the time netbook batteries just weren’t there with a two or three hour battery life. When you have 700 boys going all day, you’ve got to have a 10-hour battery life. I don’t have 30 [power outlets] per classroom, and even if I did I’d probably blow fuses.”

    Without the remote monitoring the school says,

    For now, an iPad without this enterprise feature is a deal breaker. “We can’t put in something if we can’t do any monitoring,”

    This whole topic builds upon the one we started yesterday – but it drives directly to the point I was attempting to make about methodology. Just giving young people a piece of technology or a device will do nothing more than distract them for some period of time unless it is tied in with something that is interesting and relevant to their lives.

    The method of teaching and learning will have to be re-designed if we are really going to take advantage of the potential represented by a new technology like a computer – or like an iPad.

    If the fundamental operating principle of schools continue to be control and compliance then the kind of tool like the iPad will not surely fail. If the fundamental operating principle of schools can change to be one focused on learning – real learning, not memorization and regurgitation – then there is a possibility that something like the iPad can do really well.

    Here is the link directly to the article.