EARLY THOUGHTS:

I am enjoying my iPad.  Some of it is easily becoming second nature.  Other things  – not so much.  For instance, I wanted to write this post using the iPad.  It just did not work for me.  I will have to work on the fine motor coordination involved with the “highlight/copy/paste” routine. It is second nature on a laptop or desktop computer.  I am just not getting the hang of it on the iPad.  The biggest barrier to me writing this post on the iPad?  I can’t for the life of me figure out how to copy a link from the address bar.  As soon as I touch the address box, the keyboard pops up – anticipating that I want to type a web address.  Grrrr…

So….all that said here are some more thoughts and links that might help those of you taking part in the TRC iPad project.

At this early stage, I can summarize my thoughts this way:

The iPad is great as a READING and THINKING device, more than a surfing and working machine. I find it much easier to concentrate on a single web page,  and I put off following the hyperlink breadcrumb trail, which I swear is giving me late-in-life ADHD.

Some have been critical saying that it is not good for multi-tasking.  I don’t really get that.  All open web pages are simply hidden beneath the page you are concentrating on. It is very easy to switch back and forth between them.  Somehow, having them out of sight, allows me to concentrate better of the page at hand.

I will certainly try to become more proficient with the new cut/paste routine – but if I can’t copy web addresses, I can’t really see me using this for writing – other than a quick email now and again.

And that brings me back to my original impression.  I predict that I will continue to use  my laptop/desktop for working (email, blog posts etc.) and the iPad more for professional, leisure and contemplative reading.  That is a GREAT thing!  I thought about Steve Job’s demonstration when he introduced the iPad.  Sitting on stage with the iPad on his lap gave the message:  “This is something you use when you want to relax – or when you want to get away from the work desk and do some productive THINKING.”  That is an idea that really appeals to me.

In schools, it would be nice to think it might promote more serious thinking.  The ease of word processing and powerpoint contribute to a  ubiquitous “Let’s rush and get it done….Cut…Paste….Cut…Paste….” kind of mentality.  Too much “work” going on and not enough THINKING.  Of course, once it is loaded up with apps and games, I suppose it is back to being another electronic distraction…..

HELPFUL LINKS:

Here comes the stuff I could not cut and paste from my iPad.

Doug Johnson recommends:

iPad Starter Guide, also recommended by Kathy Schrock

Kathy Schrock has been running a series of blog posts on her experience with the iPad.  I will need to study those posts closely.  She is way ahead of me as a techie.  I don’t understand half of what she says.  Skimming through the posts – I can see that she is using the iPad in a much more techie kind of way.  I need to see how she is getting along with writing on the iPad.  I have to remind myself that I do not even own a cellphone and am therefore totally clueless about running around small keyboard playgrounds!

I know.  No cell phone.  A veritable Neanderthal.  How on earth do I manage?  Well – I get some alone time, and I pay one less exorbitant monthly bill.  I don’t have cable either.  Imagine that if you can!  🙂

I’ve got an iPad. The price was right.  FREE!  I got it because I am a member of our area Teacher Resource Center policy board.  We get to study them, use them in our schools, and post our experiences to a wiki.

So….I need HELP!!  I am very comfortable playing around – but am afraid I will miss important features.

My must pressing question at the moment is downloading books.  I have downloaded Kindle books via Kinde for ipads, and of course I have downloaded some from the (very limited) iBooks store.  My problem?  I don’t want to spend money on books. Why would I EVER pay for a book that I only want to read once.

I tried to download a book  from the public library – but their ebooks require Adobe ePUB.  I looked for an app that might replace it – but had no luck.   Will keep looking.  Not sure an app would work anyway.  In order to download a book, they require you to download ePub – and that just results in an error message.

Any ideas for me?