A Week with an iPad

This past week, I got an iPad (Thanks again, Dad!). Not the fancy-screened “new” iPad, but a 2nd generation after the price drop.

Let me say, I am impressed. I purchased the iPad right before spring break, with the idea that I would have a free week to “play around” and figure out if this device will fit into my workflow. The answer is “Holy cow. This can do so much more than I ever thought a touchscreen device could!”. Over the course of the past week, I’ve used my laptop a total of 4 times (all in a way to stream my music/videos over home sharing. Awesome). The iPad will easily replace my laptop in the future, I am sure of it.
I’m so astounded by the battery life of this thing too. With my usual usage of playing a few games, watching a few shows on Netflix, browsing the Internet, and using Facebook and Twitter, I can go for 3 days (currently at that right now, with 24% remaining!). This is about 69 more hours per charge than my laptop, doing the same things I would use my laptop for. For me, this is more than ideal for a portable computing device.
As for apps, the App Store always has great selections. I’m itching to find some solid, free apps to use for teaching math this semester, but am kind of coming up with the same-ol’ same-ol’. I’ll still be on the hunt as I use my iPad more, and am excited to see the uses for this in education as I continue to use it.
Word processing is extremely simple, too. This entire post has been typed with the onscreen keyboard, and I don’t ever envision myself using a bluetooth keyboard. The whole experience is just so smooth, it blows my mind!

Well, there’s my review in a nutshell. I really, really enjoy my iPad. I feel like every day I discover something new. Until then, feel free to comment if you know any tips or tricks for it, or any “must-have” apps that I may have yet to discover!

For those interested; My current home screens and apps are here and here.

Tablets, Tablets Everywhere! (updated 9/25/11)

So today was Family Day on campus, and my Dad and I visited the Instuctional Technology table, and got to see Dr. Z’s trusty iPad in action. And I gotta tell you, I was impressed.

Many of you may remember my post early this summer about the iPad, where I decided to return my iPad because I didn’t think it was worth the money at the moment… Now I feel like it might be worth the money for me. Visiting iTech on main after the open house, I got a chance to look at some of the education apps that are available. Holy cow, there are a TON! (Side note, Dr Z, could you take a screen shot of your apps, or at least let me know some of your favorite education ones you use?).

I’m starting to think I should start saving my money once again for an iPad, seeing that it can do minor word processing, etc, that I use in class off and on, as well as some awesome apps. Something that I really

believe in is using technology for special education, and using iPads and apps are a forefront in assistive technology. I’ve been in contact with some of the AEA in Cedar Rapids that use iPads, and we’ve found two great sites, http://natri.uky.edu/assoc_projects/qiat/index.html and http://a4cwsn.com/. These sites leave me yearning to try some of the AAC and apps that are reviewed, and actually trying them in classrooms.

What are your thoughts? What are your experiences with the iPad, both in the classroom and personal use?

 

Update:

After checking my RSS feed today, I found this: http://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/23/amazon-media-event-set-for-september-28th-tablet-announcement-expected/, I’ve heard the rumor for awhile that Amazon was planning on creating their own Android tablet, and with the announcement coming so soon, I am very excited to what this brings!

Image credit to leondel via flickr.com/creativecommons