Evaluating the iPad

We bought an iPad to see what it can do. Can it find a place in schools or is it a gimmick that will go the way of the Newton? At the moment, I see it being most useful in schools as a data collection pad and as a textbook replacement device. (Opinions are subject to change after prolonged exposure.)

iPad Helmet
Originally uploaded by Joe_murphy

The idea is that a number of people will get to play with it, both primary and secondary, and as many subject area specialists that want a look. We've been trying to specify a range of apps to show off what it can do. I'm going to list here what we've added so far and I'd welcome your comments and suggestions. What have we missed? Have we included anything we shouldn't have?

I have deliberately skewed things towards free apps - this is deliberate! Cheaper is better and free is best!


The Basics (and the paid for apps!)

If it is to be used in schools, the obvious place to start is with the iWorks suite of apps: Keynote; Numbers; and Pages (£5.99 each). It seemed obvious to add Documents To Go (£4.99) to allow the easy distribution and editing of existing documents. Finally, in the "obvious" section, we've added The Elements (£7.99) because it is gorgeous.


Reading/Literacy

We've obviously added a bundle of free/public domain eBooks but we've added a few more literacy related apps.

• Stanza Not sure if this is better/more useful than the built in book app but thought it was worth including anyway.
• Two examples that go beyond replicating the book: Alice for the iPad Lite and Just Me And My Dad.
• Graphic novels/comics: Marvel Comics, Comics and Star Trek Comics.

Maths/Science

• Calculators: PocketCAS Lite, Quick Graph and Convert Units For Free.
• Science: NASA App and Finger Physics Free.

Other Subjects

• History/Geography: History: Maps Of The World and Google Earth.
• Art/Graphics: Make A Martian, Doodle Buddy For iPad and Whiteboard Lite.
• RE: Bible Reader Free and ESV Bible.
• Modern Languages: Free German Tutor.
  

Interesting Stuff

• Art Galleries: Musée Du Louvre and The Huntarian.
• TED Mobile
• BrainPop

Note Takers

• Iditia Free
• Evernote
• Sundry Notes
• Jot! Free

Looking at the list above, we're light on a number of subjects, including Music and Computing. Any suggestions on how we should plug the gap? Also, I want some games on there. Any suggestions from the Game Based Learning contingent?

Looking forward to seeing what people come up with

Programming for the rest of us

I would write about Apple's new iPad but I suspect the Internet is already bursting at the seams with iPad prattle. It appears to have been greeted with awe, derision and confusion in roughly equal measure. Whether it turns out to be an iPod style success or a Newton style best-forgotten - its launch has certainly caused a stir!

However, I was intrigued by Mark Pentleton's pre-launch speculations. I would love to see an HyperCard style development environment for any Apple product! TileStack is good (see Fun on Friday #23: A blast from the past) but is just slightly too tricky in use for the "rest of us". It's been a while since I've played with TileStack though, and I notice that you can now use it to develop iPhone apps... I think I need to go back for another play!

As I commented to Mark, I think Scratch, while looking nothing like HyperCard, is the best example of programming for the rest of us out there currently. However, what's missing is some sort of Scratch player for the iPhone/iPad. I had a bit of a poke about but couldn't find anything, oeven any indication tht they were thnking about creating one.

So, in the meantime, if want to make an app, I guess I'll have to have another look at TileStack... uness you have a better sugestion.

Torbay RTC: Who wants to be Golden-nuggetaire

Live blog from #torbayrtc

The Bad Boys are up showing us a series of ideas for using technology using Who Wants to Be A Millionaire as an excuse.

First up was how to trace an image in Flash - brilliantly simple and produces really interesting images. Put a series of theses images in iPhoto and use the shatter transition in the slideshow - it looks brilliant.

Next up is Polyphontics to sample sounds for Garageband - create your own instruments.

Touch screen controller: Touch OSD + Osculator is an app for iPhone/iTouch

Karajan Ear Trainer - learn some music theory - learn about chords etc.

Screen capture software: ScreenFlow is a brilliant screencasting application and quality of video is excellent.

Quality QuickTime VR Panoramas: panoramas.dk Some great, free panoramas, e.g. moon landing.

Flash Games: Learning Arcade e.g. Attack of the Killer Bugs

Sharing something from a USB pen drive - just plug it into an airport and it appears on everyone's Finder.

Sound Flower: Routing audio from one app to another.

Print bits of a website: Print what you like. Easy and online.

Turn PDFs into Keynote presentations: PDF to Keynote (There is also a plug in version.) Take iPhone books and convert to Keynote.

Press Sleep and Home to take a screenshot of an iPhone

Add a logo to a movie - use cutaways. Can watermark your school logo onto a movie.

Free mouse highlighter app: Omnidazzle variety of highlighter tools - zoom, spotlight, ... brilliant.

Storyboard app for iPhone/iTouch: iStoryboards (Lite version is free) Drop photos, add dialog and action, set scene length and then can export.