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RFH 2010, News

Move Over Sliced Bread; iPad Hits Hamilton

Tue, Apr 13, 2010

Apple estimates it sold more than 300,000 of its new iPad computers Saturday, the first day they went on sale.

Move Over Sliced Bread; iPad Hits Hamilton

The headlines are filled with tales of otherwise sane people lining up overnight at Apple stores across the country to buy the latest "gadget of the century", the iPad.

All David Gregory did was wait for his to be delivered to his front store; he pre-ordered his from the Apple Store.

Gregory is Colgate's chief information technology officer, and says "... it is part of my job I have to be well versed in most new information technology especially when it has the potential to impact our campus."

Gregory says likes the iPad. Asked what he likes about it, he says:

"Just about everything. It is the most impressive, intuitive device I have seen for digital media, web browsing, email, and personal productivity.

"I am replying to you on it now as I sit in the doctor's waiting room. It brings mobility to a whole new level. The applications are amazingly robust for a frost release.

"With iWork.com you can easily store important documents in the cloud and access them with your iPad or any computer. The iBook and Amazon Kindle apps turn the device into a powerful library / reader. I have thousands of songs and several video / movies stored on it.  You can also play games on it.  Productivity, web browsing, movies, music, books, and games - everything you could want."

(Pictured is John Fava, the Colgate Bookstore's computer sales and service manager.)

But, mega-techies like Gregory are not the only ones wanting to get their hands on an iPad. Thanks to a grant, HCS students will have the opportunity to use one of five of them.

The Emerald Foundation is providing funding to purchase five iPads for HCS, according to Andrew Coddington, president of the foundation. He explained:

"HCS students are already using iPod touch, particularly elementary school students receiving special education services, in addition to the fourth grade. The iPad is the next progression. 

"The visual/experiential nature of this technology has been found to be a very effective way for them to learn. I've been in the school to see it myself in action. There are a surprising number and variety of educational "apps"  that these students use in all subjects.  

"This isn't just a nifty tech idea, it is multi-dimensional way of learning that, at least to this "ditto and mimeograph" guy, changes my whole worldview of how learning is evolving. The iPads are a larger version of the Touch, and will be a vast improvement for helping these particular students--given their needs -- manipulate the lessons they are receiving as apps through this." technology.  

As of last week, almost half a million iPads had been sold and more than 3.5 million apps for it have been downloaded.

Putting iPads into the hands of students appears to be an important move. A recent study says that in the next five years, the touch screen like the one on the iPad will be the norm.

Read what others say about the iPad.

 

 

 

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