iPads are Consumption Devices. Really?

[Sam Gliksman]

iPads have been hailed as unparalleled mobile devices for the consumption of media. The ability to browse the news, read an electronic book, display your photos, watch a video - these activities are all integral to the popularity of the iPad. On the other hand, iPads have equally been criticized within educational circles as ONLY being consumption devices. Many educators feel that iPads don't give students sufficient capacity to express themselves creatively. 

 

Is the depiction of the iPad as a consumption device a myth? How are you using them in your classes? Are you utilizing iPads for creative expression ... and if so, how? What iPad apps and activities are proving most effective in your class?

 

Add your voice to the discussion...

[Jay Morris]

In this 'making of' video Shawn Harris explains how an often overlooked feature in Brushes for iPad turns painting into animation.

[Terice Schneider]

Unlike  the original iPad, iPad2 does offer more ways to express and create. However, I feel that even the first iPad allowed all kinds of expression. All of Google Apps collaborative pieces work on iPads. In addition, the iPad2 allows for film making. I completely support the iPad as a creative tool. We have a 1:1 initiative with iPads in a 700 student middle school and several pods of iPads in elementary and high school in our district this year. I will let you know what we see from our students!

[Brian Wasson]

Tablets are not yet there as full fledged content creation devices. For me, Sara Getting's comment (the first on this post) sums it up. She used the iPad as a display device, not a creation device. The students created poetry off the iPad on paper I assume, she scanned the paper copies only to take the pain staking approach of creating an epub so it could look all fancy on the iPad for parents.

Instead; the students could have typed it up on a regular mac/pc computer or laptop/netbook, saved to PDF format, and displayed on any computer and practically any smart phone. Get a cheap remote presenter and you can "swipe" the pages from any location in the room.

See, the use of the iPad simply gave the appearance of a high tech project when it really did not transform the lesson, activity, or engagement of the student. Same is true for so many other examples educators are providing in these comments. Only a few have an understanding of what the iPad (and tablets in general) can do for education; change the the experiences, not add a tech layer on top of the old methods. The only other real creative uses so far many commenting here have mentioned is GarageBand and iMovie, both programs already readily available for the macs and with equivalent Windows based programs as well. The iPad is not transformative because it is easier to make music since it has GarageBand. Eventually the novelty of the newness will wear off with these kids. And sketching on the iPad? That's new and transformative? Get rid of the mouse next to your standard keyboard and replace it with a $80 Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch and watch kids create using the same computers in the classroom they've had for years. They'll create the same drawings they can do on the iPad and they will in fact look even better because of the pen use (and yes an iPad stylus helps with sketching, I get that).

Point is, so far, for practically everything I've seen the iPad do, the opportunity to do those same things on regular pcs/macs/laptops/netbooks/smart phones with just a 'net connection has already been available. Yes the shiny newness, fast loading, lightweight, long battery, etc. are benefits in this ultra portable world. But, you have to look at these devices, and what they are being used for, with a critical eye. For any app that helps students learn math, or study spelling words, or watch a 3D frog dissection you can find, I can find a web based equivalent that works just as well that we don't need an iPad for. Let the students bring their home DSi or iPod Touch or PSP to school to use for similar activities. Does a school need to buy 30 iPads so the kids can sketch and make music and make eBooks where they can 'swipe' the pages? Are they already maxing out the use of the other technology devices in their school? Have they unleashed the full power of the Internet connected computers in their labs and classrooms?  In my view, we are not yet there with tablets in schools to justify the cost many schools are spending to roll out iPad programs and initiatives. Pilot programs, yes. Full rollout without a legit pilot, no.

[Brian Wasson]

Terice, does your district have a plan that you can share that outlines how the iPads will be used with 700 students? Does the plan outline how the device will be used to transform the students' learning experiences, not just re-invent them? What is the plan for allowing the teachers to work them into their daily coursework? What is the plan for the support and maintenance and upgrade of the devices? Is any of this info publically available so we can see what a rollout of 700 iPads to middle schoolers looks like?

 

Additionally, use of Google Apps on a iPad does not equal creativity. You don't need an iPad to access Google Apps. In fact, the experience in using GApps on an iPad is not nearly as good as using the services on a regular desktop computer or laptop/netbook.

 

-Brian

Terice Schneider said:

Unlike  the original iPad, iPad2 does offer more ways to express and create. However, I feel that even the first iPad allowed all kinds of expression. All of Google Apps collaborative pieces work on iPads. In addition, the iPad2 allows for film making. I completely support the iPad as a creative tool. We have a 1:1 initiative with iPads in a 700 student middle school and several pods of iPads in elementary and high school in our district this year. I will let you know what we see from our students!

[Sam Gliksman]

Brian, you make some very valid points. Yes, you can use GarageBand on the Mac. Sure, you can take photos and record audio on other devices. Yes, you could take video on a different device and port it over to a laptop for editing. Of course, there are different ways to get textbooks - digital or otherwise. Yes, you could even read that digital book on your laptop.

The beauty of iPads (and many other mobile devices by the way) however is the integration of all these capabilities into one relatively, inexpensive and very portable device. I recently gave a workshop to teachers on digital storytelling using iPads. People stepped outside to take photos for their story. Some scripted and spontaneously took video interviews as part of the process. Others created animated cartoons incorporating photos of the school. The list of creative options are many when you have all those tools available in one device that can easily go anywhere with you. On a field trip? Take photos, video, record sounds, add statistics to a spreadsheet... Gather resources and create your own eBook - then distribute it for easy reading in iBooks on the iPad. Oh, and by the way, my 12 year old son currently carries around 15 pounds of books in his backpack every day. What does an iPad weigh?

Whether it's the iPad or any other device, as educators we want intuitive technology that easily slips into and becomes part of the process of education. We want mobile technology that enhances anywhere-anytime learning. There will be a learning curve. There are hurdles to overcome and it's very conceivable that school leaders adopting iPads haven't got all the answers yet. I do however admire their foresight in recognizing the real need for change and for being bold enough to make a commitment to it.

[Terice Schneider]

Let me be really clear that I am not saying that the iPad is superior to other computing devices. What I am saying is that the iPad does offer creative outlets. It is not just a consumption device.

 

We started with a 1:1 iPad Economics classroom at our high school last year. I admit I had my misgivings when we started down this path before the iPad had even been released! At first we did see consumption, but it evolved very quickly into so much more. It has been amazing to see what teachers and students can do.

 

Our teachers are creating like crazy this summer. It's amazing.  It's definitely not just consumption that I have witnessed. For example, if students are creating Google sites to offer information about 'Saving the Salamander' or 'Neutering Pets,' they have the option to do that on any one of multiple devices. The web gives them a real world audience and voice, and they know they must have their facts right or their cause will be overshadowed by their misinformation.

 

We don't deny that computers and some netbooks can offer creative outlets too. We chose the iPad2 as the device to put in our students' hands because it's portable, it's reasonably priced, it works well with Google Apps for Ed, and for just about everything, there's an educational app.

 

For our new 1:1 middle school campus, we are using a carefully planned implementation that involves Apple's Challenge Based Learning training for all the school's teachers. Our goal is to change the way the classroom looks and feels. We will not just 'automate' what we've done before with pencil and paper. The district is very committed to seeing this change the culture of teaching and learning. When Alan November came to our administrative retreat last year along with his November Learning team, we began developing our vision for this. I think the high level of commitment, from the school board and superintendent on down, is extremely important for our endeavor. I hope that you will wish us well and I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

 

I'll be offline in another state for a few days. Thanks for the lively discussion!

[Brian Wasson]

Well stated, Sam. And I certainly agree what what is possible on the iPad. Using for digital storytelling is a fantastic approach.

My take, however, is do you need an iPad for that? Can you create digital stories on say a $200 Android based tablet? Of course you can. There's well over 100,000 Android apps as you know and the app market there is growing three times as fast as the app market in Apple's store. Yet, you don't hear about schools doing Android tablet pilots and rollouts to 700 students.  Additionally, most android tablets (and most non-apple tablets) have ports for easily adding devices like cameras, SD cards, projectors, microscopes, etc. So for schools in this cash-strapped economy who have never experimented with tablets, why the sole focus on iPads for twice the cost? Where is the wise, researched, educated, decision to head down the path of one particular manufacturer?

 

Additionally, instead of showing the teachers you worked with recently digital storytelling tools on the iPad, how about having them tap into the power of those smart phones they already have in their pockets? We are telling high schoolers to turn off their smart phones when entering a class and then we are handing them an iPad instead? "Pockets of potential" as Liz Kolb calls 'em at little cost to a school or district.

Textbooks...don't get me started. We are so far away from textbooks on tablets. I love the idea of all a students books being on the tablet, but it is not happening and we are years away as a result of a number of factors. Seton Hill University recently gave iPads to all students and faculty. Over 900. Yet, only 30% of the textbooks the students needed for classes were available on the iPads. They still had to lug around all those books. 60% of the textbooks were available in a format that a netbook/laptop/macbook could read. Why didn't the school give macbooks?

As you stated, the need for real change is there. But, it has to be looked at from all angles very critically. Parents and tax payers here in the states don't do that enough.

Sam Gliksman said:

Brian, you make some very valid points. Yes, you can use GarageBand on the Mac. Sure, you can take photos and record audio on other devices. Yes, you could take video on a different device and port it over to a laptop for editing. Of course, there are different ways to get textbooks - digital or otherwise. Yes, you could even read that digital book on your laptop.

The beauty of iPads (and many other mobile devices by the way) however is the integration of all these capabilities into one relatively, inexpensive and very portable device. I recently gave a workshop to teachers on digital storytelling using iPads. People stepped outside to take photos for their story. Some scripted and spontaneously took video interviews as part of the process. Others created animated cartoons incorporating photos of the school. The list of creative options are many when you have all those tools available in one device that can easily go anywhere with you. On a field trip? Take photos, video, record sounds, add statistics to a spreadsheet... Gather resources and create your own eBook - then distribute it for easy reading in iBooks on the iPad. Oh, and by the way, my 12 year old son currently carries around 15 pounds of books in his backpack every day. What does an iPad weigh?

Whether it's the iPad or any other device, as educators we want intuitive technology that easily slips into and becomes part of the process of education. We want mobile technology that enhances anywhere-anytime learning. There will be a learning curve. There are hurdles to overcome and it's very conceivable that school leaders adopting iPads haven't got all the answers yet. I do however admire their foresight in recognizing the real need for change and for being bold enough to make a commitment to it.

[Brian Wasson]

Terice, just a quick followup: did your school (at any level - HS, MS, board, etc.) evaluate the potential use of Android based tablets for half the cost as an iPad with access to over 200,000 apps at this time (google announced that figure, although the attrition rate is higher than in Apple's app store)?

 

I do wish you luck with the initiatives, but would love to see a more concrete plan publicly available.

-Brian

 

Terice Schneider said:

Let me be really clear that I am not saying that the iPad is superior to other computing devices. What I am saying is that the iPad does offer creative outlets. It is not just a consumption device.

 

We started with a 1:1 iPad Economics classroom at our high school last year. I admit I had my misgivings when we started down this path before the iPad had even been released! At first we did see consumption, but it evolved very quickly into so much more. It has been amazing to see what teachers and students can do.

 

Our teachers are creating like crazy this summer. It's amazing.  It's definitely not just consumption that I have witnessed. For example, if students are creating Google sites to offer information about 'Saving the Salamander' or 'Neutering Pets,' they have the option to do that on any one of multiple devices. The web gives them a real world audience and voice, and they know they must have their facts right or their cause will be overshadowed by their misinformation.

 

We don't deny that computers and some netbooks can offer creative outlets too. We chose the iPad2 as the device to put in our students' hands because it's portable, it's reasonably priced, it works well with Google Apps for Ed, and for just about everything, there's an educational app.

 

For our new 1:1 middle school campus, we are using a carefully planned implementation that involves Apple's Challenge Based Learning training for all the school's teachers. Our goal is to change the way the classroom looks and feels. We will not just 'automate' what we've done before with pencil and paper. The district is very committed to seeing this change the culture of teaching and learning. When Alan November came to our administrative retreat last year along with his November Learning team, we began developing our vision for this. I think the high level of commitment, from the school board and superintendent on down, is extremely important for our endeavor. I hope that you will wish us well and I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

 

I'll be offline in another state for a few days. Thanks for the lively discussion!

[Sam Gliksman]

I think you're misreading the objective of this site and discussion Brian. As i have stated previously, I'm advocating for educational change and I see mobile devices - if implemented properly - as an opportunity to enable real change. This is not a forum that is sponsored by Apple.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that you "need" to jump out and implement a 1:1 iPad program. It works well in some districts with the right plan, population and leaders. In others it may not. It may be better for some ages and academic levels than others. There's no "one size fits all" answer. Smartphones are great, but less than 25% of high schoolers own one ... and what about elementary classes? Could you do digital storytelling on a smartphone? Maybe you could pull it off ... if you have them available. You prefer a particular Android device because it is cheaper? I think iPads are a far better solution but if you're limited by budget and Androids work as well for you then go for it (although Android tablets at that price range have well reported issues with camera, speed, video and more).  

Yes, there has been tremendous waste in education and it continues today. I live in Los Angeles where LAUSD has spent hundreds of millions of dollars building schools they now can't open. We can find holes in any technology initiative whether they be 1:1 laptops, netbook initiatives, BYOD programs, smartphones or otherwise. None will be perfect. If it's all about dollars then let's all wait another couple of years until tablet prices all fall significantly. Don't be too critical of leaders that spend on technology that has potential for real transformative change. 

It's not about a particular device - it's about what you can do with it within the educational space. And textbooks? Yes, only 30% are available. Almost none were available just a year ago and not only have publishers started to now get on board but we're now seeing possibilities for teachers and classes to build their own digital books.

[Jay Morris]

Brian,

 

There are Android tablets on the market for half the price of iPads? Who's making them? Are they getting good reviews?

 

- Jay

[Brian Wasson]

Well stated, Tom. It appears we are alone in the discussion.

-Brian

tom abeles said:

Not only are iPads consumptive devices, they are limited by the capabilities of the aps and the inability to get around Apple's control of what can be consumed. At a games for education conference, the number of developers writing in Flash gives one to understand that they see other ways to deliver. The number of ipads at the meeting from 2010->2011 seemed to be less w/laptops and net books returning w/attendees.  The introduction of Android to the Nook shows the possibility of  lower cost and more flexible tablet options.

 

Tablets are evolving but still are hammers looking for nails. Apple seems to be trying to protect its net book market while android systems seem to understand that mobile devices are becoming more flexible and interchangeable. Educators need to pause and think whether tablets are the best investment w/limited resources and then whether the iPad is the tablet of choice

[Brian Wasson]

These are some of the better tablets that are not Apple.  Otherwise, take your pick from here. Other searches also reveal hundreds of different types of Android tablets. I saw a statistic recently that indicated there are 2 new Android based tablets being announced a week with over 100 coming out this calendar yet. Who knows whether or not these are suitable for the education world. I'd like to see my son's teachers helping to figure that out. Problem is, they are not, nor are other schools. iPad, iPad, iPad only ... is the same foolish mistake as saying Crayola crayons, Crayola crayons, Crayola crayons only.

Jay Morris said:

Brian,

 

There are Android tablets on the market for half the price of iPads? Who's making them? Are they getting good reviews?

 

- Jay