The iPad Vs the iPhone

Just been having a discussion on the iPad. We have had a look at the advantages of using this new piece of technology within an educational setting. There are many advantages but there are also disadvantages to using this within a classroom.

Advantages

• the screen size is a lot larger than that of the iphone making it easier for children to view.
• the images within the iPad are very symbolic which will make it easier for younger children to use. This is potentially easier than using computers or laptops with them as they do not have to spend ages looking for the right application or programme.
• It is a good size to use at desks within the classroom as it should not completely take up all the desk space.
• There is access to wi-fi internet and 3G Internet.
• It comes with built in speakers and microphone meaning that these do not have to be externally attached.
• Word processing is available.
• Through the iBooks application children are able to view books and store them without the need for storage space within the classroom.
• The iPad is relatively thin so it is not too bulky to holding or storing.

Disadvantages

• At the moment the iPad is quite expensive and most schools would not be able to afford any or many.
• It is very similar to a laptop which prompts the question why bother?
• There is only 10 hours of battery life which means that it would need to be recharged everyday if it was being used in the classroom. This leads to the idea of where do you charge all the iPads at the same time as this would take up rather a lot of sockets within the classroom.
• There is no camera and if one was needed or wanted to be used, it would have to be connected externally.
• Its does not have flash and this means that vokis and other applications would not be able to be used.
• There is an additional expense for the keyboard attachment and if the children were using the word processing the iPad would need to be laid flat. This would strain the eyes and the neck and is not good for the health of the children that would be using it.

At the moment I am swayed more towards the iPhone as i really like how it is hand held and easy to store within a pocket or a bag. It is a lot more transportable and would be good for use outside the classroom e.g. on a school trip. The iPad has a few more good applications but i'm sure that these will become available for the iPhone in the future. I feel that when I am more familiar with the iPad and have maybe had a chance to explore its potential for myself, it may change my opinion. So far i am in favour of the iPhone.

Learning how to blog properly and apples new software.... the iPad

Apple has introduced their latest piece of software... the iPad. I'm on the fence about this latest release. It seems a good idea but it looks too bulky and takes away from the idea of handheld learning that we have been looking at within our lectures. If we want technology to be any place, any time, anywhere, then why do we need it to be so big! It would be hard to transport easily and personally I think it would take up too much valuable space. I think i would need to find out more about the applications and the potential that it has within an educational setting. I would also need to have a little play with it to really make up my mind lol.





I have finally learned how to blog properly.. well almost. Still need a lot of practice as I am rather new to this. Learned how to add links to webpages into the blog, this will help to make it more interesting for others to use. We were also looking at how to add in videos to help make what we have been talking about within our blogs more interactive and be able to be explored. I now know how to put the embedded code into the blog to show the related video to the point i had been making. Blogs are supposed to be interesting and visually appealing. I am glad i have learned how to do this as I thought my blogs have looked a little bit boring and i would not have even looked at it if I was someone else. I need to explore more of the settings and options available to me and not be scared about breaking the page or deleting all my information. Hopefully I can now make my blog more visually appealing and more inviting for people to come and read.
Piratepad was being used within the lecture today but we found out that the maximum limit of people is 16 and i could not enter the pad to contribute to the group discussion. There is also a version of the software called Primarypad. The main section of the pad would be good for using for brainstorming at the beginning of a lesson or a new class project. It seems to be a good tool for collaborative purposes and can be kept as a permanent record of work which can be used for assessment purposes.
Will post a new comment on the educational values of blogging.

Ist day of ICT elective

Today was a really good introduction to the elective. i am really looking forward to learning how to do digital movie making as i feel that this would be a really useful skill to use when teaching.
Today we looked at delicious again. We had previously looked at it before in ICT and created accounts. To be honest i have not really used it as it was put to the back of my mind during placement. i feel that there may be potential to use this within a school setting but as to how i am not completely sure at this point in the elective. When i learn more about how to utilise this tool i'm sure i will be able to come up with ideas on how to use it within the classroom.
We also looked at wallwisher and i instantly took a liking to it. It was bright and colourful and loved the fact that you could "post a sticky". I feel that children would love to use this and it would be great for a collaborative tool.
ICT has a bright looking future and it is only going to improve from here on out. I think that it is going to be utalised more and more within classrooms because of its potential motivation skills and accessibilty to all.
Still needing to look at wallwisher in a google search but i will post my findings when i have the time.
Looking forward to doing more of this elective and all the fun it's going to bring.