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acrahm

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 12, 2007
225
0
professors and teachers,

anyone use one in the classroom for teaching purposes?

how is it? what do you use it for in the classroom? can you run things like powerpoint etc?
 
I am still looking for an app that allows me to display and EDIT .doc files with vga output.
 
I've found out that is is very week when it comes to being a platform for presentations (keynote on the ipad is very limited...)

However, I use the iPad a LOT for everything else (grading, notes, research, etc.) I especially enjoy carrying around all the articles in my collection...
 
Can you please elaborate on why you think Keynote is not powerful enough yet for the classroom? I hear people say that a lot, and then when I ask, they can never give me specifics.
 
I use mine in class all the time.

It is so much faster than the network we are forced to use in school on the school pc's, and as luck would have it the school has a wifi network to which I am able to connect.

I use it to help the students with their research, but mostly I must admit they just ant to use it because of what it is not what it can do.

I do see a future where all students will be able to use them with all of their textbooks on the iPad. I look forward to that day and hope it is not delayed to much by budgetary considerations.
 
Can you please elaborate on why you think Keynote is not powerful enough yet for the classroom? I hear people say that a lot, and then when I ask, they can never give me specifics.

The iPad doesn't have the capability of mirroring to a projector, i.e., showing on the projector exactly what's on your device screen, like a laptop can.

Instead, the iPad has limited output via the VGA connector. In Keynote, for instance, the iPad will project a completed slide show, but it will not project the editing screens or the behind-the-scenes modes.

The iPad can also project YouTube videos via its YouTube app.

The iPad alone also cannot project your web browser, BUT there is an app called Expedition that will indeed do just that, and it works quite well.

I plan on taking my iPad to class in the fall (college film/lit class), and with a little prep and trial and error, I'm sure it will be a big help.
 
I think we're putting the cart before the horse as now that the iPad has been released (mostly - still waiting here in NZ!) slowly but surely programmers will become aware of the demand and create apps accordingly. I see, for example, a great tool for intensive language courses in the making, especially when it comes to courses for those with little spare time (e.g. immigrants who work full-time). As long as people start making their concerns regarding shortcomings (e.g. the issues with Keynote) made heard to Apple.
 
The iPad doesn't have the capability of mirroring to a projector, i.e., showing on the projector exactly what's on your device screen, like a laptop can.

Instead, the iPad has limited output via the VGA connector. In Keynote, for instance, the iPad will project a completed slide show, but it will not project the editing screens or the behind-the-scenes modes.

The potential is there, but in the case of large presentations with video etc., i have difficulty replacing my macbook with the iPad... I am pretty sure that this will change soon (keynote really has potential), but anyway as miamijim says, you can use it for a lot more than just presentations....
 
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