12/23/12

I figured that since the iPad has a form factor like a tablet, it might be useful for taking notes and making sketches. So I went to Office Max and bought a stylus, which should help with this. I also bought a screen protector.

I experimented a lot with the Penultimate app that was highly ranked on iTunes. I made some force diagrams for physics, tried to do a physics problem, tried to make a graph, tried note taking, and then made a mind map for my next physics lesson. I honestly can’t see much use for the iPad as a writing tablet device. Maybe our fine arts people will show me the way.

Second impression: I am very disappointed with the note taking and sketching capabilities.

I verified that the Clinometer app worked like it does on my iPod and on my students’ smart phones. The frequency generator, FreqGen, app also works as expected. Google worked fine. Once we get Wi-Fi extended to my classroom I’ll be able to whip out my iPod (in my back pocket), tap on the mic icon, and say things like “33 meters per seconds in miles per hour”. Google immediately responds with 73.818 miles per hour. This will be very useful in helping my students make sense of the problems we do using the metric system. If students had iPads or iPods they could do this also.

I some read passages from “The Call of the Wild” that relate to physics, and discovered the 2X button. This feature makes reading books easier, and allows a person to read at normal reading distances vs. having to hold the iPod un-naturally close. The iPad might be an outstanding tool with interactive/multimedia books, if there were any.