There is no denying it; the newest addition to the Apple family has got tongues wagging.  Whether you can’t wait or couldn’t care, the iPad represents the direction mobile technology is taking and it is sure to have an impact on the evolution of education technology.

With a 9.7-inch LED-backlit multi-touch colour display, a choice of models with 16, 32, or 64 GB of Flash Memory and up to ten hours of battery life, the entry-level iPad is due for release this spring priced at $499.

What does the iPad mean for education?  How, if at all, will it benefit learning?  There have been a number of positives and negatives aired on the blogosphere, but I would like to hear any more opinions from those who use online learning technology on a daily basis.

Positives:

1. The display screen will make reading course materials easier than on a smartphone, saving a lot of scrolling and zooming (not to mention paper printing).
2. The iPad is a more portable platform than a laptop or desktop
3. There is the option to include 3G wireless capability, GPS and a plug-in keyboard
4. Users can save and review resources (ebooks, podcasts, social media, videos)
5. It offers a more engaging medium for learning than current options

Negatives:

1. The iPad does not support Flash (by far the most controversial ‘missing’ feature)
2. There is no integrated camera which limits the virtual classroom to an audio-only experience
3. There is no built-in USB or SD card slot
4. The iPad is not as portable as a smartphone
5. The iPad is priced out of most elearning budgets

If you are involved with elearning please post your comments here, we’ll see what conclusions we come to…