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iPad for Teachers?

Document cameras and the iPa:

While there are an increasing number of apps that permit projection of documents and websites, I am coming to the realization that VGA support is too slow in forthcoming to ever satisfy teachers. Apple is never going to permit it for iBooks, and the many educational apps that teachers might want to use with a class would each have to implement VGA output to make it a viable classroom alternative to a PC or laptop.

I supect the better solution might be to take control of projection directly with a document camera, which many classrooms might already own. I'm looking very seriously at the Ipevo P2V camera, which looks quite good and affordable. Anybody have any experience with this and iPad projection? I've found only a few reviews on the web, but it looks extremely promising.
 
I would like to know if I can connect my iPad to my classroom projector to be able to use some of the learning games on my smartboard - will it work with a smartboard? Has anyone tried it?
 
skubish said:
yep buyer beware: the VGA adapter does NOT mirror the iPad screen. Apps have to support it. Maybe this will change with iOS4.
Click to expand...

Yeah, a number of apps supports it now but it would be nice if it's system wide.

Write apple.com/feedback
 
stephg said:
And I'm sure you mean you're instead of your. :) I would like to know if I can connect my iPad to my classroom projector to be able to use some of the learning games on my smartboard - will it work with a smartboard? Has anyone tried it?
Click to expand...

Being an avid smart board user, I would have to say at this point NO. The smart board has to be connected to the device in order for the "touch" to register with the device.

There is, however, a new projection device made by Epson that will allow you the smart board or interactive white board function using on the projector. Pretty cool. Either way I do not think it will work with the ipad at this time.

I suppose if you were a developer you could use the developer kit to run the apps on a computer connected to a projector and interactive white board. Just an idea.
 
stephg said:
And I'm sure you mean you're instead of your. :) I would like to know if I can connect my iPad to my classroom projector to be able to use some of the learning games on my smartboard - will it work with a smartboard? Has anyone tried it?
Click to expand...

It won't work with a smart board. But that would be awesome! It would take multitasking software.
 
stephg said:
And I'm sure you mean you're instead of your. :) I would like to know if I can connect my iPad to my classroom projector to be able to use some of the learning games on my smartboard - will it work with a smartboard? Has anyone tried it?
Click to expand...

THIS is funny...the Grammar Police!!! Sheeze! I know I have made my share of typos...in fact, having converted almost all of my laptop internet forum browsing to iPad time, I have been making MORE errors thanks to the lack of a dang arrow key and forward delete key.

Anyway...I am teacher also! (pun intended) I got the wifi version a few days after first release, and carried it to school most days. But, it didn't reach it's full potential. It is summer time...and that is one of my goals...to get the iPad to simplify life.

I did use the iPad to carry to meetings. Most people using their cell phones look defiant...so, I just made sure I had a note pad open, taking notes of the meeting, which at least let me jot down some ideas during the incredibly useless span of time they tell use exactly what they either JUST emailed us...or could have emailed us...or didn't need to email us because it was so common sense.

I also entered a grades. I don't like a laptop spinning next to me the entire time, so to have the ipad to grade a paper and enter a grade right there was very nice. I didn't have to grade everything, then re-handle all of the work (photos) which is cumbersome at best. So, I graded a class, and then put them away.

I don't see the iPad useful to project from, although I have been busy converting all of my lessons to internet and PowerPoint. The reason for me is that i teach in a computer lab, and I use either a dual monitor with 3rd mirrored projected image or a triple monitor station. Depending on where I am, I am able to monitor the students stations, project one of the kids stations on to the other stations, or mine to everybody, etc.

On the other hand, I do have a second projector that points to a second screen. It is hooked up to an overhead camera (which somebody asked about). I can either take the overhead camera and project through my primary projector or the 2nd projector. it is just an old 8mm camera with a video out hooked up...MUCH cheaper than some fancy overhead display camera. Everybody who comes in and sees the set up is amazed you can do this.

Anyway, I am considering running the ipad out through the 2nd projector. But, I have a unique situation where I have rigged up all kinds of ways to project images, vcr, dvd, Mac, etc. through tv or computer.

The way I see the Ipad being useful besides just making the rest of my life more manageable, is along the same line...and what somebody else mentioned....and that is being able to move around the room making notes on the students. That is pretty idealistic...so for the time being, I am content with how it is helping in every other area of my life...mainly keeping me from being tied down to a laptop after I leave school in the evenings. And I will monitor this and other teaching threads to see what others are coming up with.
 
lokerd said:
THIS is funny...the Grammar Police!!! Sheeze! I know I have made my share of typos...in fact, having converted almost all of my laptop internet forum browsing to iPad time, I have been making MORE errors thanks to the lack of a dang arrow key and forward delete key.

I also entered a grades. I don't like a laptop spinning next to me the entire time, so to have the ipad to grade a paper and enter a grade right there was very nice. I didn't have to grade everything, then re-handle all of the work (photos) which is cumbersome at best. So, I graded a class, and then put them away.
Click to expand...

I really wasn't being grammar police - just having a little fun with those that love to point out mistakes while making mistakes of their own. (I make my share of typos, too.) I love the idea of using the iPad for entering grades. I will have to see if it works with our web based grade book. I wonder if thread title could be changed to teaching with the iPad, and we could post more ideas here?
 
stephg said:
I really wasn't being grammar police - just having a little fun with those that love to point out mistakes while making mistakes of their own.
Click to expand...

I know...I was only LOLing...it was just so funny that somebody correcting somebody else made their own error! And I just went a fixed one type in my previous post. ;)

Another way I plan to use the iPad is on field trips...namely star gazing when we do a night time meeting.
 
Ipad and Smartboard

I think that I have discovered the best solution based on the software available so far. I use an Ipad app called logmein which allows me to log in to the classroom computer and control it using my IPad. This allows me to walk around the classroom and do everything I would normally do with the smartboard using a copy of the computer screen on my Ipad. You do need a wireless connection (WIFI) between your IPad and the classroom computer to do this but it allows all of the functionality of the smartboard from your Ipad. With regard to using the VGA dongle there are Ipad apps available that allow you to display PDF files and web sites but you will have to be physically wired in to the smartboard which I think limits the mobility that the Ipad was made for. If you are interested in these apps go to the app store and type in VGA as a search keyword. Hope this helps.
 
Ipad and smartboard

I think that I have discovered the best solution based on the software available so far. I use an Ipad app called logmein which allows me to log in to the classroom computer and control it using my IPad. This allows me to walk around the classroom and do everything I would normally do with the smartboard using a copy of the computer screen on my Ipad. You do need a wireless connection (WIFI) between your IPad and the classroom computer to do this but it allows all of the functionality of the smartboard from your Ipad. With regard to using the VGA dongle there are Ipad apps available that allow you to display PDF files and web sites but you will have to be physically wired in to the smartboard which I think limits the mobility that the Ipad was made for. If you are interested in these apps go to the app store and type in VGA as a search keyword. Hope this helps.
 
Ipad and Smartboard

I think that I have discovered the best solution based on the software available so far. I use an Ipad app called logmein which allows me to log in to the classroom computer and control it using my IPad. This allows me to walk around the classroom and do everything I would normally do with the smartboard using a copy of the computer screen on my Ipad. You do need a wireless connection (WIFI) between your IPad and the classroom computer to do this but it allows all of the functionality of the smartboard from your Ipad. With regard to using the VGA dongle there are Ipad apps available that allow you to display PDF files and web sites but you will have to be physically wired in to the smartboard which I think limits the mobility that the Ipad was made for. If you are interested in these apps go to the app store and type in VGA as a search keyword. Hope this helps.
 
I'm a middle school teacher. Although a classroom full of tablets seems like a good idea, I fear the result will be the same as with our laptop experiment a few years ago. Kids are kids. They break things, they lose things, and a book, although expensive, isn't as expensive as a dropped iPad. Also, tech issues galore plagued the beginning of every class period. Until these machines can be kid-proofed, they are only practical for a college classroom.
 
Rabsmo said:
I think that I have discovered the best solution based on the software available so far. I use an Ipad app called logmein which allows me to log in to the classroom computer and control it using my IPad. This allows me to walk around the classroom and do everything I would normally do with the smartboard using a copy of the computer screen on my Ipad. You do need a wireless connection (WIFI) between your IPad and the classroom computer to do this but it allows all of the functionality of the smartboard from your Ipad. With regard to using the VGA dongle there are Ipad apps available that allow you to display PDF files and web sites but you will have to be physically wired in to the smartboard which I think limits the mobility that the Ipad was made for. If you are interested in these apps go to the app store and type in VGA as a search keyword. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

I have seen that app and never thought about using it with the smart board that way. Great idea!

I've also been using Blackboard Presenter in conjunction with the VGA adapter to project notes on the smart board instead of using the whiteboards that flank the smart board.

I'm looking forward to apps being released that are teacher specific and am hopeful that the iPad will be my laptop replacement in school.
 
I run the iPad Possibilities Podcast at TPPN.TV and would love to do a roundtable episode with teachers that use or want to use an iPad in the classroom. If anyone is interested in bring a part of this please email me at iPadPossibilities@gmail.com

Thanks - very interesting discussion.

Tim
 
eye said:
I'm a middle school teacher. Although a classroom full of tablets seems like a good idea, I fear the result will be the same as with our laptop experiment a few years ago. Kids are kids. They break things, they lose things, and a book, although expensive, isn't as expensive as a dropped iPad. Also, tech issues galore plagued the beginning of every class period. Until these machines can be kid-proofed, they are only practical for a college classroom.
Click to expand...

An inner city HS in the system in which I was an administrator before I retired is giving laptops to every HS student this fall. They do not have the tech staff in place to manage this. I have warned them about the very issues you brought up in your post but I am now looked at as a dinosaur, afraid of the new things that will solve all of their problems. Funny, since when I was there I was considered the leading proponent of using technology in the classrooms and rammed through a reluctant school board the purchase of active boards for every classroom in my middle school. Even with just that I ended up having to find money from other areas in my budget just to keep fresh bulbs in the projectors. They have no idea what they are in for.
 
jburns said:
An inner city HS in the system in which I was an administrator before I retired is giving laptops to every HS student this fall. They do not have the tech staff in place to manage this. I have warned them about the very issues you brought up in your post but I am now looked at as a dinosaur, afraid of the new things that will solve all of their problems. Funny, since when I was there I was considered the leading proponent of using technology in the classrooms and rammed through a reluctant school board the purchase of active boards for every classroom in my middle school. Even with just that I ended up having to find money from other areas in my budget just to keep fresh bulbs in the projectors. They have no idea what they are in for.
Click to expand...

I teach in a school where the middle and high school students all have laptops. There is a dedicated Tech team that works all day on computer problems with the laptops and a have a service contract with Dell where they send out a tech a couple of times a week. If there wasn't a tech team, it would be a disaster.
 
As an elementary school teacher, I look forward to using my iPad in the classroom in the fall. I've been doing some research and found the twitter hashtag #edapp quite useful.
 
eye said:
I'm a middle school teacher. Although a classroom full of tablets seems like a good idea, I fear the result will be the same as with our laptop experiment a few years ago. Kids are kids. They break things, they lose things, and a book, although expensive, isn't as expensive as a dropped iPad. Also, tech issues galore plagued the beginning of every class period. Until these machines can be kid-proofed, they are only practical for a college classroom.
Click to expand...

I guess I don't understand how the iPad can be screwed up by kids....really, it is just a bunch of apps- not like you can access system files or anything.

That being said, I think there is quite a bit that needs to be done to allow iPads to be used in a school setting where one could sync all iPads the exact same way, same settings, etc for the tech dept to keep the iPads running well. They almost need a parent/teacher controls for them.

I hope to buy a classroom set of iPads a year from now to use with second and third graders!
 
flyfish29 said:
I guess I don't understand how the iPad can be screwed up by kids....really, it is just a bunch of apps- not like you can access system files or anything.

I hope to buy a classroom set of iPads a year from now to use with second and third graders!
Click to expand...

I am curious about a couple of things mentioned in this thread. First, those of you thinking of using an iPad in your classroom, is this your personal iPad or one provided by your school? I've thought about using mine, but it's my personal iPad and I don't love the idea of my students having access to my personal stuff. I've thought about making it a reward item (x number of minutes using it for educational games, for instance), but I'm not sure I want to take the chance of it getting damaged (I'm an elementary teacher). Second, those of you who have or think you will be able to get a classroom set of ipads, how are these being paid for? With this economy, I have already had my pay cut, and we have no money for textbooks or copier paper, let alone ipads. I would love to know if there are other ways to fund this. Thanks for any ideas!
 
flyfish29 said:
I guess I don't understand how the iPad can be screwed up by kids....really,

I hope to buy a classroom set of iPads a year from now to use with second and third graders!
Click to expand...



I dont think that you would need to worry about them messing up the programs, its the actual device that would be in peril. I will bet money that in the first year 15-25%% of your iPads get dropped, kicked, dented, sat on or have something else happen to them. There is no way that a bunch of 2nd grade kids would NOT damage these things. Children are just a path of destruction and everybody knows it. Now I hope that you can make it to where the kids can use them safely and cost effectively because it would be a great tool for them and you!

A key thing would be like you said "teacher" settings so that they kids could not put pictures and music on or delete APPs that you have installed.
 
flyfish29 said:
I guess I don't understand how the iPad can be screwed up by kids....really, it is just a bunch of apps- not like you can access system files or anything.

That being said, I think there is quite a bit that needs to be done to allow iPads to be used in a school setting where one could sync all iPads the exact same way, same settings, etc for the tech dept to keep the iPads running well. They almost need a parent/teacher controls for them.

I hope to buy a classroom set of iPads a year from now to use with second and third graders!
Click to expand...
I'm not talking about them accessing system files, I'm talking about them dropping them or losing them or the likelihood that one of the ipads won't work each time you use them and the time that will take from instruction. This is not baseless. My school did a laptop experiment a couple years ago, and these were the problems.
 
eye said:
I'm not talking about them accessing system files, I'm talking about them dropping them or losing them or the likelihood that one of the ipads won't work each time you use them and the time that will take from instruction. This is not baseless. My school did a laptop experiment a couple years ago, and these were the problems.
Click to expand...

Ahh- makes sense. I guess I would argue that the iPad is much better than most laptops- lighter weight, smaller, and with a good case much easier to grip. That being said it might be easier to knock off a table- having so much better battery life than many laptops it probably will not be using cords to often which reduces the chances of getting knocked off. (especially the ones I have used in schools in which the batteries are not kept calibrated)

I have to say that the laptops we have used in schools with students are huge, heavy things that are so hard for students to move around with.

I agree that laptops are worse than desktops, but things break- and there is something to be said for students learning to take care of electronics.

As far as my classroom set, we are using REAP federal grant funds to pay for much of our technology upgrades. That grant money is used to support other federal grant lines and often has to be tied to some school goals, but that is not difficult to do these days if you know what you are doing. :D:apple:
 
flyfish29 said:
I agree that laptops are worse than desktops, but things break- and there is something to be said for students learning to take care of electronics.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. It'd be a more valuable lesson to some kids than the difference between consanance and assonance, vector addition, standard deviation, etc.
 
broncopde said:
Absolutely. It'd be a more valuable lesson to some kids than the difference between consanance and assonance, vector addition, standard deviation, etc.
Click to expand...
Ha! YOu are right- they are more likely to use the lesson about electronics care taught them than those you list!!:D
 
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