Interesting post today on teaching with the iPad from ProfHacker. I’m not surprised by the discussion about the drawbacks to using the iPad in class–difficult to type on without an external keyboard, it perhaps complicates research or takes more set up time than needed. In effect, it’s not designed to replace a laptop. I loved a friend of mine’s ability to use the iPad efficiently at a conference for note taking and for following and posting to Twitter while at the conference, but ultimately I knew I wouldn’t use it that way. Which is why I went with the Nook Color when I wanted something more than a basic e-reader. I can take notes in a meeting or in class, surf the web, check email, social networking, and now watch Netflix on it (a cool feature, but perhaps one only truly useful if stuck someplace). It’s a wonderful e-Reader and I can upload PDFs of essays, which is one of the features I adore. Yet, I don’t see myself ever giving up teaching from actual books. The downside is being stuck with B&N’s ebook store–suggestion, work out a relationship with Penguin ASAP–which doesn’t carry a lot of things I would like. This is perhaps good for my pocketbook, but frustrating when trying to figure out books for a course. I still look longingly at the iPad when I see it, but I don’t think it’ll revolutionize my work habits.
