Yes, and when you were in school did they still teaching typing on the typewriter? Show presentations on slide projectors? Waste paper and money on using the "ditto" machine?
As others have pointed out, you make some pretty insulting assumptions about me and my position. If you really must know, when I was in school we in fact DID use computers (almost always Apple IIs). We played games, when appropriate, like Number Munchers. I loved them so much so that I've gone on to make a career out of it.
All you've done with the above statement is commit the fallacy of ad hominem. You've implied that I'm some sort of old fart, and since old farts know anything about new technology, my specific criticism about this particular technology is not worth considering. To this I reply that I am NOT and old fart (not yet anyway), and that even if I were, that would have no bearing on the validity of my point.
All an iPad does is eliminate 20 things in the classroom and puts them into one object. This also in the long run would save schools TONS of money, allowing schools to use their budget for other things... like hey, arts programs that so many schools have had to cut? Computers began taking over classrooms in the 80's... today, many kindergaten's require kids to be familiar with a keyboard, mouse, and web browser. If something expands upon learning, that's never a bad thing.
Notice that I didn't say that iPads don't have their benefits to schools and students. They have plenty of them. But to pretend that using iPads in the classroom creates nothing but good is shortsighted and naive.
It's not like kids are playing Angry birds in class on their school issued iPads. Those things are blocked. It's not about being entertained. 3rd graders really won't be streaming cartoon network... really.
You're not looking at the big picture. What happens to those 3rd graders get to college and they have to read through calculus and philosophy books? Even if they're on an iPad, I would be willing to bet that there aren't going to be too many wonderful photographs, videos, or slide shows in the chapters about differential equations or the morality of suicide. Those students won't know what to do with themselves because up until that point they've been entertained every moment of their lives. Then they WILL be playing Angry Birds.
Why do I know this? Because it's already happening. My wife is a college professor, and every semester she has students who answer their phone in the middle of class without making any attempt to go outside. Then when she asks them to leave they become angry and abusive toward her. These are kids who didn't grow up with iPads as constant companions. What are the ones who do going to be like?
As for your expectations, maybe don't think so big? It takes publishing companies years to compile printed text books... I don't know why anyone would think in a few months of talks all the publishers would be ready to unleash every text book known to man on the iPad.
I wasn't expecting anything to be ready right away, but I was hoping to see an avenue where the textbooks would be written to cater to the two or three largest states (as another poster alluded to). And that may be here, but I was hoping the path forward would have been a little more clear.
I think you are assuming students would be able to use the iPad like they could if it belonged to them.
There are already public schools who have iPads for students... they're not allowed to download anything they want on them. The schools actually are able to block all that stuff...
I know you weren't responding to me on this one, but I think you highlight the difference in our thinking here. Sure, students wouldn't be able to download Angry Birds or whatever. But what we're doing is creating the expectation that learning is first and foremost about entertainment. And if that's the expectation, then when a student finds herself in a situation that's NOT entertaining, well then it must not be educational either.
Old school, make room for new school...
Welcome new school, whish I had known thee in my days of old, but glad you're here for my kids and my own continuing education efforts...
This is a glimpse of the future of learning, and it is bright!
Again, I'm not saying that there isn't room for technology in the classroom. I think we should embrace it in the classroom. However, HOW we embrace it matters greatly. I don't think creating the expectation that all educational material is going to be chock full of "rich media experiences" all the time is the right way to go.
I'll close with a bit of a rant. Why the HELL does a textbook need a Planet Earth style, dramatic, introductory video that plays every time you open it?! How does that enhance anyone's education?
