Assignment+7

__Assignment 7 Reflections__ ** Bruce McMurry, Oakfield School District, February 16, 2011  ** //**Integrating iPads in the Classroom, EDT 704 **// ** Marian University EDT 704  **

//Assignment #7 Journal Reflection - Ticket out the Door //

Using Word - Write a brief reflection and include:  __Impact of the iPad in the classroom/school/school district__ I am a building principal, retiring on June 30, 2011. As a result, I will approach this reflection from my perspective. I had said that the iPad/iPod/iPhone operating system (especially the iPad system because of the size of the device’s screen) was the greatest advance since the mouse/icon technology. I find myself trying to put my hands on the screen of my laptop or my BlackBerry if I’m not careful. I can see that the more I use the iPad, the more quickly I will get irritated that I still have to use a mouse. Impact? Easier user interface, ease of portability, nothing but improvements in app design.  __My plans on continuing to use the iPad__ In my personal life, I will probably download more books for personal reading on the iPad, and start to download music as well. I have downloaded my first novel and have read about 200 pages of the 400 pages total (it works—I’m not sure if I like it that much or not). I also have gone to the HBO website and looked at previews of one of my favorite fantasy book series which is being made into an HBO series, called A Tale of Ice and Fire, and the video and sound have been very good. I will probably also start to download music. I am also considering getting an iPhone when I retire, and I can see the great advantage of tying the iPhone (or iPod) and the iPad together. In my professional life, I’m not sure. I have come to realize how easy it is to jump on the web using the iPad, versus firing up a laptop—some aspects of the iPad make it a “lazy man’s laptop.” I will probably explore an external keyboard, either connected by wire or Bluetooth. I would want a pretty sturdy, standard keyboard though (if they make such a thing), not a “chicklet” type of keyboard. So, I see using the iPad for web applications, and possibly for word processing if it can support software compatible with Word. Marrying the iPad to the iPhone or iPod could provide phone/address directory applications, email, and calendar, which I currently use with a BlackBerry. <span style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">__What I Have Learned from the Sharing of Others that I’d Like to Try__ <span style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The “Urban Spoon” app has aleady been interesting for finding restaurants. I have also downloaded YouTube video clips. A lot of the teacher apps don’t apply to me right now. I will have the advantage of continuing to share with the other students (teachers and staff) from our district for the next few months and see what they’re evolving into with the use of their iPads. I’m really glad I took the class, because as I retire, it will be one more step to keep me up with new technology, which is a constant challenge, and even more so it I’m not in a school district or college (who know what I’ll be doing?). <span style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">__The Presentation I Gave and the Application__ <span style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">My presentation featured eTextbooks at the college level. We have had an ongoing debate on our administrative team on whether the current evolution of eTextbooks has come to a point where eTextbooks on a device like an iPad or netbook computer could replace hard copy textbooks. I have argued that the software that drives the eTextbooks is not “there yet.” I still feel that is true. One of our younger IT guys (he’s around 23-24) says his view is that right now we should get hard copy textbooks with the ability to have an electronic version as well—many companies are starting to offer this. I’m guessing 3-4 years from now (or maybe sooner) the technology will be much more solid, the software will be better, the hard drives will have more capacity, and eTextbooks will be much more practical.
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">What impact do you expect to see as a result of using this technology in the classroom? <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">How do you plan to continue to use your iPad in your personal life? Professional life? <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">What have you learned from others' sharing that you would like to try or explore more of? <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Describe the presentation you gave today and the application you shared / demonstrated. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">