"Tablets will change education this year and in the future because they neatly align with the goals and purposes of education in the digital age," said Rob Reynolds, editor-in-chief of The Xplanation and director of product design for Xplana web products. Since Apple has a track record of producing sleek, buzz-creating products, the iPad is at the center of conversation.
One elegant example of the iPad's power for education is The Elements e-book, which brings the periodic table of elements close to alive. Says author Theodore Gray, the tablet is "absolutely the best thing yet in terms of communicating to people what makes (the periodic table) interesting. It's not just an electronic version of a page." Rather, the tablet technology allows his samples to rotate so you can see them from all different sides. The touch screen allows for multiple touch control. "I can take my fingers and spin each object. And I can tap and now I've got a stereo 3-D version of the object," using inexpensive 3-D glasses in conjunction.
Take a look at Gray demonstrating his e-book on the iPad.
How would you envision using the iPad in your classrooms? Leave us a comment below! We'll be happy to share your suggestions and ideas in a future e-letter!
