Subject+Matter

=** iPad Subject Matter (Amanda McClure) ** =  ​The iPad is an opportunity to revolutionize education. Being approximately the size of a sheet of paper and weighing under 2 pounds, students would have their education at their fingertips. Students would no longer have to carry around heavy books because they could access all of them digitally from their iPad. The iPad would allow students to have access to e-mail for communication and the internet for research.
 * Big Idea**


 * iPad Features - Pros and Cons**
 * The iPad is ideal for reading because it has a backlight on the screen. This would make it easier on the eyes than traditional e-books.
 * The iPad does not have a camera. That means that Vodcasts would not be possible to make with the iPad. However, it would mean one less distraction in the classroom.
 * The iPad has a touch keyboard. Students would be able to take notes and save them. However, it would not be as quick as typing on a computer keyboard.
 * The iPad is not capable of multi-tasking. So, if a student was reading one of his books, he would not be able to take notes at the same time. He would have to exit out of the book, and then open up the notepad and switch back and forth.
 * It is possible for applications from the iPhone to be synchronized with the iPad. By having applications available, students would be able to easily play games while in class. This could potentially be a big distraction for some students.
 * Some models of the iPad have WiFi and 3G capabilities, however, it has cost - about $30/month to have an unlimited data plan. This raises the question, "Who is going to cover this cost?" Without the internet, the iPad will only be useful as a digital reader.
 * iPads start out costing about $500 for the lowest models and go upwards of $1000 for the better models. If all students in a classroom are expected to have this technology, who will cover the cost?
 * iPads do not support flash videos. So, not all videos or simulations will be able to be watched.
 * The iPad does not have ports for attaching USB or HDMI devices. So, a digital camera will not be able to be attached to upload pictures for a project. A student would have to download them from their e-mail. Presentations created on the iPad would not be able to displayed on the big screen by connecting a projector. All material must be sent via the internet.
 * The iPad does not have handwriting recognition capabilities. This means that students would not be able to take notes by writing them down. The notes would have to be typed. This would not be as quick, so it might be harder to take accurate notes.

Playing the Devils Advocate
The idea behind the iPad is a good one. However, in schools, is the iPad going to meet the necessary standards for technology usage? For technology use to be considered good, the technology must go beyond what is capable without it. Technology standards today want students have an interaction with technology as an individual and in a group. Students are expected to be able to do research. The iPad will help students achieve these requirements. However, the pros and cons need to be weighed to determine if the iPad is the best tool for the job. Depending on what a school district is looking for and how much money can be spent, the iPad may or may not be the perfect new edition to classrooms. For more information on standards and iPad reviews, check out the links below.

=
[|**http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm**] ======

=
This is a link to the ISTE website. The International Society for Techology in Education created a set of National Standards for techology use in education. ======

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">[] This is a link to Michigan's 2009 Techology standards for all K-12 students.

[] This is a link to Alaska's Techology Standards for K-12 students.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">iPad Review Related Websites: **
<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">[] This website has the pros and cons of the iPad.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">[] <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">This is another website that has the positive and negative attributes of the iPad.​ They have 13 things that potential buyers need to know.

[] This is a link to Apple's website with the features listed. It is interesting to look at why they say it can do and then compare it to what the reviews say it can do.

[] This link goes to a review that talks about who really needs an iPad. It has not been designed to take the place of any other device. It is meerly a want, not a necessity.

[] This article talk about how the iPad was a good idea, however, the author thinks that there are too many downfalls.