iPad in Careers & Schools
This is my first blog post done entirely from the iPad. I am convinced the mobile device world is the direction of the future for productivity. So by default it has it's merit and place in education and our schools.
The iPad is such an easy tool to use and incredibly resourceful it has completely
changed my morning routine and increased my productivity throughout the day. Apps in my morning routine are; calendar, email, weather bug, google reader, and Twitter. Throughout the day I may check updates from some of my favorite news apps such as Mashable, Rueters News, and USA Today. Then just to share a few more favorite frequently used apps are Netflix, Ellen, ABC Player, and Pandora. I will discuss more Apps that I find useful in future blogs. There are just too many to list.I find it interesting that so many people are blogging about the iPad. Educational sources such as Edutopia are expecting great uses from this tool. Edutopia blogger Bob Lenz stated that he predicts the iPad and tablet type devices to revolutionize the way students access all types of information like research, media, and books. Even leading technology education expert Kathy Schrock wrote a 4-part blog on the iPad alone and still continues to write and Twitter frequently about it. It isn't so surprising to see educational professionals raving about the iPad, what I find as more evidence that these devices are products that should be used in education is the professionals outside of education that take time away from their usual business to rave about the iPad.
Two examples I want to share are from Rich Karlsgaard, the publisher of Forbes Magazine and from Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway.
Rich Karlsgaard is the publisher for Forbes Magazine and authors the Digital Rules Column. Most of Rich Karlsgaard's articles I would describe as political, controversial, and often focused on America's finance. Recently he took the time to dedicate one of his entries entirely to raving about the iPad. He describes the iPad as a tool he has 'hired' to do the job of bringing him the news. He discusses how the iPad has become his tool of choice for the newspaper, magazines, and blog feeds, along with videos from the web. The very point that he just doesn't use the tool, but compelled to tell everyone about it in a break from his usual job supports the impact tools like the iPad will have in future careers for our students.
Take another example from an interview conducted by Newsweek with Prime Minister Jens Stolenberg. The interview was focused on how Norway stayed healthy during the economic crisis that has hit so many nations. The part that I found interesting was that even the Prime Minister made note to praise the iPad during the interview. He discussed that he bought an iPad in New York when he couldn't fly home due to the volcanic ash hindering flights and how he used it to help run his daily operations for his country. He was also quoted saying, "We are going to start to use it now in my office; it is an excellent tool."
It's one thing to hear how our educational experts view tools like the iPad and it's potential in our schools, but when I find strong testimony for these devices coming from professionals stepping outside of their business as usual to praise these tools, i know this is a direction schools need to take. Not only are our educational experts embracing 21st Century Skills and technology integration, but other career professionals are using and excited about the new technology devices and how these tools can improve their own productivity in the work force. There is always a balance/tug-of-war among costs for resources, personnel, curriculum initiatives, professional development, technology etc. in our schools. Luckily I don't make all of these decisions, I just make recommendations. I place my support for mobile devices and iPads in our staff and students hands.
