It would be wise to ask those teachers who have iPads how and if you can do this.
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Paperless in highschool using ipad>?
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It would be wise to ask those teachers who have iPads how and if you can do this.
Those have been out for 10 years. They are called Tablet PCs, they run full Windows installs, and run apps like Windows Journal or Microsoft OneNote. They're designed to replace notebook paper and you interact with them using a precision stylus. I used one all through college, they're great. And the screen usually flips around exposing a keyboard so you can use them like a regular laptop. They're not good to use as a media tablet/web browsing tablet though. Most Windows apps don't support touch, and the touch interface in Windows itself is rudimentary. I find myself using it in laptop mode with the keyboard for everything except taking notes.
While this seems like a good idea on paper (oops, pun), it's really not, unless you can afford 2 iPads.
The reason? Studying or doing homework with a textbook typically involves at least two surfaces -- 1 surface from which to read, and 1 surface on which to write. Multitasking between 2 apps could potentially improve your short-term memory, since you'd have to constantly go back and forth, but it would not be my method of choice.
If you are really set on going paperless, I'd by an MBA (for portability) but always have access to a second monitor so that I can read from one screen and write onto another screen. Of course, you'd lose a lot in terms of handwritten diagrams, etc that you may need to do your homework. So, best bet would be an MBA + iPad I suppose. But that's a lot of money for very little benefit..
Some other random thoughts.
- Paper is also recyclable, so, environmentally it's not as bad as we make it out to be.
- I've always remembered things better when I've physically written something on paper than when I typed my notes on computers.
- If you are in high school, I'd rather spend my energies on upping grades rather than experimenting with different input/tech methods. But maybe that's just me.
The reason? Studying or doing homework with a textbook typically involves at least two surfaces -- 1 surface from which to read, and 1 surface on which to write. Multitasking between 2 apps could potentially improve your short-term memory, since you'd have to constantly go back and forth, but it would not be my method of choice.
If you are really set on going paperless, I'd by an MBA (for portability) but always have access to a second monitor so that I can read from one screen and write onto another screen. Of course, you'd lose a lot in terms of handwritten diagrams, etc that you may need to do your homework. So, best bet would be an MBA + iPad I suppose. But that's a lot of money for very little benefit..
Some other random thoughts.
- Paper is also recyclable, so, environmentally it's not as bad as we make it out to be.
- I've always remembered things better when I've physically written something on paper than when I typed my notes on computers.
- If you are in high school, I'd rather spend my energies on upping grades rather than experimenting with different input/tech methods. But maybe that's just me.
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Most of the early ones didn't allow touch at all. The buzzword was "pen computing". They use electromagnetic induction to detect the pen (and the pressure), not resistive or capacitive touch. That's why the cursor follows the pen if you hover it over the screen.
It's only the newer PCs that allow touch, and yes, most are resistive - although a few like my Dell Latitude XT are capacitive. But my point was that the touch interface on these things sucks regardless of technology, but if you use them for note taking, homework, graphics, or anything else that lends itself to a pen, they're great. That's what they're designed for. The iPad isn't. Similarly, things that lend themselves to touch like web browsing are much better on the iPad. It's all about using the right tool for the right job.
To the OP. Talk to your teachers, and see what they say. Don't listen to those who say it's a bad idea, or it's more work. Only you know what is/is not more work, or has no value for your needs. These are the same types that probably poo-poo'd those that said I'm building something called a computer..."Oh, that'll never catch on, don't waste your time"...lol
I give you kudos for thinking outside the box, and trying. What's the worse thing that could happen; the teachers say no?" Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Good luck!
I give you kudos for thinking outside the box, and trying. What's the worse thing that could happen; the teachers say no?" Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Good luck!
Best of luck with the experiment, perhaps there's some extra credit that can be derived from writing up your experience.
The major drawback I would anticipate is the limited physical size of the "desktop" on the iPad to work in a dynamic academic environment.
The major drawback I would anticipate is the limited physical size of the "desktop" on the iPad to work in a dynamic academic environment.
Don't listen to some of these naysayers.
If you are able to put all your text books on your iPad, that's terrific. Subtract about 500 lbs. from your backpack.
But someone had a good point about notetaking. I suppose you could "mark up" your textbooks, but at some point, you're probably going to want to take actual notes. Flipping back and forth between a note taking app and a book may try your patience.
Honestly, I think you're going to need more than an iPad for all the things you need to do, but who says you can't use it for MOST things? Does it have to be all or nothing. Having just half of the stuff you do in school all on your iPad will be a huge convenience.
Also remember, some of these guys haven't been in a public school in awhile. They are much more high tech these days and are probably more open to this idea than people would think.
If you are able to put all your text books on your iPad, that's terrific. Subtract about 500 lbs. from your backpack.
But someone had a good point about notetaking. I suppose you could "mark up" your textbooks, but at some point, you're probably going to want to take actual notes. Flipping back and forth between a note taking app and a book may try your patience.
Honestly, I think you're going to need more than an iPad for all the things you need to do, but who says you can't use it for MOST things? Does it have to be all or nothing. Having just half of the stuff you do in school all on your iPad will be a huge convenience.
Also remember, some of these guys haven't been in a public school in awhile. They are much more high tech these days and are probably more open to this idea than people would think.
It's a shame you can't dunk Janie's virtual pigtails into the digital e-ink wells . . .
