Ipads for the Education Sector

iPads for the Education Sector

Summary

The issue of integrating tablets computers into the classroom has become a mainstream topic.

Therefore, the decision was made to study the viability of the Apple iPad in traditional college

teaching environments. In addition, other devices were looked at to compare whether Apple iPad

is the best choice. After researching the devices by comparing their various functions and the

degree of overall usability for each device, the conclusion was reached that the iPad was not the

most promising. However, this study recommends that further study be implemented regarding

viable teaching methods involving the Apple iPad before any decisions are made.

The economic value of the iPad to college students turned out to be much lower than its $500

price tag. Laptops were hence, chosen as the best alternative. Students would be better off using

their laptops in classrooms as well as for doing their homework since the laptop is an all-in-one

device as opposed to an iPad which comes somewhere between a phone and a laptop. Since most

students already have phones and laptops, effective use should be made of these rather than

spending a fortune on iPads.

Introduction

The following study seeks to analyze the viability of an iPad in the academic setting, as

compared to current methods. This paper will discuss the costs and benefits of using an iPad to

college students, asses the economic value of these attributes and finally make recommendations.

Analysis

The iPAD has some unique functions that could improve a college students learning experience

but it comes with its cons.

When in college most students find themselves setting aside hundreds of dollars for books every

year. According to a Washington Post article, "Students at four-year schools spent, on average,

about $900 for books and supplies in 2003-2004". Can the Apple iPad realistically lessen this

cost with just one simple tap? Since its release many publishers have released e-textbooks.

Select applications available for purchase in the Application store include iBooks, The Elements,

Things for iPad, and iWork. These applications allow increased functionality in that each

expands the capabilities of the iPad. The iBook application lets the user connect to an online

book store. In the event that textbooks become available in a digital format, iBooks would enable

the user to have access to any and all of their textbooks at a given moment. The Elements allows

the user to tap the element, and then to spin the image around, enabling the user to visually see

what the whole element looks like. This tool allows the student to not only learn the from the

words written but also allows a interaction that is bound to engage and assist in the remembering

information. Things for iPad allows the user to create to do lists, and could aid students in better

managing their time. iWork is essentially a three part application that allows the user to create

text documents, slide shows, and spreadsheets. These applications are mainly being used by the

general public of the student population, but there are some that are helpful for specific majors

such as Lexi-complete, Blacks Law Dictionary, and Roambi Pro. For medical students Lexi-

complete is an application that has all drug information logged in and the effects of drug.

There are also 3D cell structure and anatomys applications for medical students. If the student

has a major in law the Blacks Law Dictionary is a resource that definitions and pronunciations of

legal terms. Business majors would use Roambi Pro which allows students to put in data and

E-textbooks can greatly reduce the weight of textbooks that a student has to carry around college

all day by several pounds since the iPad weighs only 1.5 pounds and has dimensions of

9.56"x7.47"x.5". In the long run, assuming that the iPad is successfully implemented at all

educational institutions, the need for printed books would decline, hence saving paper and

benefiting the environment. Also, if all textbook publishers agree to sell digital copies of their

books, the books could be updated in a matter of minutes and there would be no need of new

editions to be published every year when new information needs to be added.

Currently, the iBookstore has some major cons. There's still a lot of work that needs to be done

as the collection of e-books