Some thoughts on the use of ipads in education. Presentation and discussion with staff at Ngee Ann Polytech, Singapore, on May 5th, 2011.

1. IPADS – A GAME CHANGER FOR EDUCATION? Michael Coghlan NewLearning TAFE SA Ngee Ann Polytechnic Singapore May 5th, 2011

2. WHO AM I? Father Online Facilitator Webhead Co-Founder Grandfather Photographer Educator Musician

3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephanridgway/5660091476/in/contacts/

4. Exactly what is a ‘game changer’? A Game Changer: Involves a paradigm shift Changes the rules about how things are taught/delivered Changes the mindset of the players; the types of players that can be involved

5. GAME CHANGER as an educational tool? SOME SUGGESTED REASONS The iPad is a personal device and reasonably costed Users to date are finding that through the use of different apps, students are able to choose the type of product they construct to demonstrate their understanding. The abundance of apps and access to information on a vast range of topics allows students to pursue areas they are interested in learning about. Notes can be kept in one spot, commented on and available anywhere. There is anywhere, anytime access to current information that contains text, sound, images and interactivity. Information is represented with rich multimedia and data visualisation techniques. Light and portable, easily carried in the school bag and to and from class.

6. GAME CHANGER as an educational tool? Heavy schoolbooks could in time be replaced by virtual eBooks and these can be updated in a timely fashion. Documents and tasks can be uploaded to iBooks by the teacher and downloaded onto the iPad by the student and vice versa. Texts and documents can be annotated and commented on by multiple students and teachers. The iPad can be used with peripherals. For example the iPad can be slotted into a case which connects to a full size keyboard for extended periods of writing. There are also a number of other docking options which provide access to a full sixed keyboard. Voice recognition apps can also be useful for inputting large amounts of text and is another option worth investigating. iPad is an intuitive device and minimal technical support is required.

7. GAME CHANGER as an educational tool? IPAD ONLY The touch interface correlates to the technology students use in their everyday life and allows a high level of interactivity. A 10 hour battery life means the iPad can be used throughout the entire school day. Instant startup of the iPad means greater use of class time for learning.

8. WHERE? Adelaide University 1st Year Science Walford Anglican School for Girls (High School) Deakin University Technical and Further Education, South Australia (TAFESA) – Hospitality, Hairdressing

9. DEAKIN UNIVERSITY Small scale, conservative approach Will evaluate publisher websites and other e-offerings (small number of staff and students) Expectations: that after initial excitement students will see ipad as just a ‘very limited computer’, and will just use it to engage in mundane activities like email, Facebook, etc

10. Courtesy of Greg Whitby

11. PARADIGM SHIFTS Pedagogy – Educators must shift from didactic models of “teaching” to constructivist models emphasizing “learning”. Networking (is not cheating) Literacy – Multiliteracy Formality – Informality Ownership: Proprietary to Open Source Sharing – copyright should encourage sharing not stifle it > Creative Commons Classification – taxonomic to folksonomic See Vance Stevens at http://braz2010vance.pbworks.com/w/page/27979344/PLN

13. Teamwork

14. Problem Solving

15. Initiative and Enterprise

16. Planning and Organising

17. Self-management

18. Learning

20. The Adelaide University iPad Experiment Every student enrolling in 1st year Science in 2011 is given an ipad If they are still enrolled beyond the ‘census date’ it becomes theirs to keep Ipad launch intended to coincide with a change in delivery method 10 minute podcast

21. The Adelaide Uni iPad Experiment IT as enablers not controllers – enlisted as ‘help’; created dedicated wireless networks for two lecture theatres ‘retail model’ Lots of peer assistance happening of its own accord Has already transformed lectures into classes Students now automatically sit in groups

22. ISSUES ARISING Some PDF docs a problem in Safari; need to be checked in advance, or alternative browser used (eg Terra) Problems with other software (eg My Writing Lab) not working Digital Rights Management (DRM): access to subscription journals; Google searches publisher content better than publishers’ apps do! Files are inside apps – need another app to manage them egDropbox Disability – can help or hinder CC image by Leigh Blackall

23. Creative Commons Licensed by http://www.flickr.com/photos/voidobjects/5189806908/in/photostream/ Macbook Air v iPad Turns out that the Macbook is easier & quicker for both typing & finding information. More screen real estate & better task switching were mentioned. Now the iPad is mainly used for games and stuff.

24. BACKGROUND/CONTEXT Funded by Digital Education Revolution (DER; Federal Government) No restrictions on net access New metrics needed to measure success of trial (school already v successful) USE OF IPADS 2 year lifespan for ipads “bring your own Internet” approach to technical support (but have organised tech support with Apple) Using Box.net for file storage Important that leaders (staff) are seen to be using these tools > staff will be actively engaged in trial http://www.walford.net.au/ IPADS AT WALFORD Original CC image from Wesley Fryer

25. IPADS AT WALFORD WILL THEY BE A GAMECHANGER? Portable, personalised Premise is that apps are intuitive, efficient, fast, use fewer resources Part of broadening of provision – recognition that students have their own technology, and are used to managing it Ipads seen as the initiative to change: “tools for transformation” Ipads not proxy friendly Goal: all texts will eventually be on ipads(students can expect to use 2 ipadsduring time at secondary school) ON THE HORIZON: Mobile me (cloud storage); Thunderbolt – new breed of ‘USB’

26. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEFXZomXs-o&

27. APPS Must haves (the Apple family): Pages Number (spreadsheet) Keynote iMovie* Garageband* *Emphasis on creating – even for assessment PDF Mark Up Tools

28. APPS Audionote Good Reader printing Printopia (defies new paradigm) Paper Cut

29. APPS Other Possibles: Noterize (notetaking; used at another large Adelaide college) Browser Duo (split screen – browser and note taking tool) Wikihood (Augmented Reality)

30. REFERENCES Ipads for Learning - http://www.ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au/ Learning blog (with Mike Seyfang) –iPads at Adelaide Uni: http://mseyfang.edublogs.org/

31. MICHAEL COGHLAN NEWLEARNING mikecogh@gmail.com This presentation on the Net at slideshare.net/michaelc