Apple Stores Replace Kids' Table iMacs With iPads

Cool.

They seemingly always have the iMacs at full blast volume at the stores I go to and the kids are playing games...it gets tiresome and noisy.

This should make things a little bit quieter. Not trying to stifle the kids' fun or imaginations, but we don't need four different games at the same time with the volume up unless it's an arcade. And then there would at least be that familiar "shoryuken!" yell somewhere in the background...

I've seen this a few weeks ago in Washington, and they seem to run a modified version of iOS without Safari, settings, notifications and other similar default apps.

Next thing you know they'll be replacing the kids' brewed coffee with Folger's crystals!

neiltc13 said:

Just what we need. I am in my mid 20s and my IT education was primarily word processing and office applications. I pity those kids these days who won't even get the level I got, and instead spend their time consuming videos and pictures on these devices.

The goal of teaching kids how to code (as IT classes in schools should be) seems further and further away with each story like this

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I don't know if I agree. I'm in my late 30s and used computers in school since second grade. In fact, it was even required in 8th grade to teach everyone how to code BASIC (all students). It was just assumed people would figure out how to handle word processing and such on their own. No classes for that.

So the fact that you got into IT and such even though the bar was lowered from what I went through shows that people who want to excel will find a way.

Personally, I would not allow computers in school until 7th or 8th grade. I think the skills learned doing things the hard way (fractions, long division, etc) are far more useful than learning how to press buttons on a calculator. Still, life goes on and we have to get used to things changing for good or ill.

Im sure my local store did this months ago..

Makes sense. My kid has them in his kindergarten class and it's been a big help at home too.

Eriden said:

I think the concern here is the potential creation of a generation of media consumers who barely know how to read, write, solve equations, etc... With parents who use their iDevices as mere babysitting tools with all the games available on iOS, it certainly seems like a valid concern.

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I don't see much of a concern.

First off, doing almost anything on an iPad requires a basic ability to read. But more importantly, the iPad can be a great tool for education. It can teach all of those things. It all depends on how you use it.

In fact, people said the same thing about comics, television, and then video games. But people still know how to read, write, and solve equations.

Peace said:

Perfect example of what the average kid does with an Apple device in a store. PAY. And that's what they should do. PAY. If parents want them to code they can take their children over to a Mac. Otherwise kids will be kids and PAY and what better thing to PAY with than an iPad.

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good point.

Boisv said:

First off, doing almost anything on an iPad requires a basic ability to read.

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You obviously don't have kids.

Fazzy said:

Im sure my local store did this months ago..

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Yep, it's been this way at 5th Ave for at least a few months. Brilliant move for a myriad of reasons, of course.

I wonder if they will have screen protectors and hand wipes.

neiltc13 said:

Just what we need. I am in my mid 20s and my IT education was primarily word processing and office applications. I pity those kids these days who won't even get the level I got, and instead spend their time consuming videos and pictures on these devices.

The goal of teaching kids how to code (as IT classes in schools should be) seems further and further away with each story like this

Click to expand...

Not everyone wants to be in IT. The ones that want to be in IT will use traditional computers. The ones that don't will use other devices. It's the same as it's always been.

In the 80's - the IT kids used Commodore 64's, Apple II's, and IBM PCjr's. Everyone else played on Atari, Coleco, or Intellivision

In the 90's - the IT kids used Windows. Everyone else played on Nintendos and Genesis's.

In the 2000's - the IT kids still use Windows and maybe UNIX/Linix. Everyone else played on Playstation's and XBox's ... and now, iPads.

Eriden said:

I think the concern here is the potential creation of a generation of media consumers who barely know how to read, write, solve equations, etc... With parents who use their iDevices as mere babysitting tools with all the games available on iOS, it certainly seems like a valid concern.

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iPad improves student grades:
http://www.hmheducation.com/fuse/pilot-1.php

neiltc13 said:

Just what we need. I am in my mid 20s and my IT education was primarily word processing and office applications. I pity those kids these days who won't even get the level I got, and instead spend their time consuming videos and pictures on these devices.

The goal of teaching kids how to code (as IT classes in schools should be) seems further and further away with each story like this

Click to expand...

Less chance of some young whippersnapper taking your job

ftaok said:

Not everyone wants to be in IT. The ones that want to be in IT will use traditional computers. The ones that don't will use other devices. It's the same as it's always been.

In the 80's - the IT kids used Commodore 64's, Apple II's, and IBM PCjr's. Everyone else played on Atari, Coleco, or Intellivision

In the 90's - the IT kids used Windows. Everyone else played on Nintendos and Genesis's.

In the 2000's - the IT kids still use Windows and maybe UNIX/Linix. Everyone else played on Playstation's and XBox's ... and now, iPads.

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Not quite.

Facebook made on Mac and other examples

Boisv said:

In fact, people said the same thing about comics, television, and then video games. But people still know how to read, write, and solve equations.

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Reread my post. I specifically mentioned parents who use iDevices as a babysitting tool rather than being involved with what their kids are using. And that could very well be a concern.

As to your examples: Watch the episode of that Rehab show with the 25 year old guy who has a videogame addiction. The guy would be completely unable to survive if his family wasn't taking care of him. I'm not saying that such a result is inevitable, I'm saying that it is a valid concern.

neiltc13 said:

Just what we need. I am in my mid 20s and my IT education was primarily word processing and office applications. I pity those kids these days who won't even get the level I got, and instead spend their time consuming videos and pictures on these devices.

The goal of teaching kids how to code (as IT classes in schools should be) seems further and further away with each story like this

Click to expand...

Yeah! The kid's section should be Mac Pros with a full-screen terminal window.

Hm

My two year old son LOVES playing on my iMac and he's quite good at it. He has an iPod Touch as well with other educational games for on the go, but you can't beat a full fledged computer for at home.

That table needs more to it. Like a colorful sign or something.

Right now it looks bland, and not very kid-attracting.

Asclepio said:

good point.

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I would appreciate it if you didn't change my words when you quote me.

sucramdi said:

I've seen this a few weeks ago in Washington, and they seem to run a modified version of iOS without Safari, settings, notifications and other similar default apps.

Click to expand...

Wish they would enable that version for people who buy iPads for their kids. I'm constantly undoing the havoc my kids wreak on their iPads.

Smart move. Truly a device for everyone. From high-powered CEO to Joe Amateur Photog, to grandma, to kids.

It's all about greater empowerment. Take the "computer" and make it something more personal, intimate, that fits nearly into your hands and is fully mobile.

And hey, get kids to connect with the iPad, do "all the little things" like the subject of this article. Watch iPad market share balloon.

Apple understands the market like it's nobody's business.

My 5 year old runs the iPad and the iPhone without much problem and much excitement, but he goes really wild happy each time he goes skydiving.

neiltc13 said:

Just what we need. I am in my mid 20s and my IT education was primarily word processing and office applications. I pity those kids these days who won't even get the level I got, and instead spend their time consuming videos and pictures on these devices.

The goal of teaching kids how to code (as IT classes in schools should be) seems further and further away with each story like this

Click to expand...

I'm not sure that IT should = coding. I think there are a lot of skills in the IT category that have more general applicability and would be of more general use than coding (i.e., word processing and office applications). Is a knowledge of coding useful to the rest of us who don't end up coding for a living? I'm not sure -- I'm not being sarcastic, I'm actually not sure.

Eriden said:

I think the concern here is the potential creation of a generation of media consumers who barely know how to read, write, solve equations, etc... With parents who use their iDevices as mere babysitting tools with all the games available on iOS, it certainly seems like a valid concern.

Click to expand...

Kids have always had things to distract them from studies. Right now, it just happens to iPads.

Previous distractions for earlier generations:

XBox
Nintendo
Walkman
Atari
Comic Books
Rock 'n Roll
Dancing