Why the iPad will not….

No matter what device or machine you contemplate using in education, the magic panacea that imparts knowledge, structures what is appropriate, important, safe and critical to the development of the child as a learner does not exist. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows this. It never will. The key to any learning is the teacher, the mentor, the guide.
Bringing the disparate particles and atoms of knowledge together to form the molecules and structures is the magic formula, which in turn forms the elements of learning, built on the frameworks of experience, that eventually form independence as a learner.

“ The most important thing is a person. A person who incites and feeds your curiosity; and machines cannot do that in the same way that a person can’”

Steve Jobs, Smithsonian Institution Oral and Video Histories, April 20, 1985

ICTs can never replace great teachers. They can be very powerful aids in teaching and learning though, providing both the vehicle for the learner to learn, to providing access to stimulate curiosity, to inform, to open up knowledge, organise thoughts, build ideas, extend concepts, communicate, enhance capabilities, enlighten, simulation and as a vehicle for creativity and experimentation. For the teacher, such a potent tool brings the possibility of accelerating and enhancing the possibilities for learners - but only if they trust them and their own capabilities in handling such powerful and consequential instruments.

Apple has a long history of providing ICT tools in the classroom, and brings with it insights lacking from other companies. It is in a unique position, experienced in developing its products and strategies from the early instigation of PCs, resulting in the development of their use in learning. Apple has always sought to do more than simply help learners be better learners, but has worked with teachers to explore and research how they can ensure the capacity to use technology meets todays as well as tomorrows expectations, and can be gained by the widest audience of educators.

The iPad, unlike other devices that now ape its technological functions, sits in a complete product and resource rich ecosystem that forms a complete wrap around solution set to embrace all of those things needed to help create and develop an individual, a learner in tomorrows world. That doesn’t mean iPad doesn’t fit in to more varied situations, but it is literally the key by way of versatility, simplicity and ease of use.

The world today has more knowledge than any one of us has the capacity to retain in our memory, or experience in a lifetime. The iPad alone cannot solve the problems of learning about this burgeoning expansion of the world around us. The Apple ecosystem does offer the best vehicle to employ in helping a learner to adopt, adapt and appropriate their own path through the world effectively.

Where as most “tablet” platforms exist in their own right as tools to use in various situations, Apple has conceived the iPad to be the critical interface to its ecosystem envisioned from its experience of education. Apple has long worked with teachers and educators at all levels and phases, building the hardware, the software and helping develop the resources for learning based on experience and observation. The iPad has been designed to be incredibly simple to use; for access and discovery; to manage, modify, manipulate and to create content in consistent and remarkably intuitive ways simply. It even puts Apps through rigorous safety checks before allowing them onto its App Store. It created iTunes U (University) as a free-to-use repository, and has developed tools to enable audio, video, interactive and augmented content to be easily constructed. If you have not seen it, take a look at eBook Creator on the Macintosh, or one of the many Apps (applications) that can be downloaded either for free, or at low cost from the App Store to create interactive “texts” or eBooks quickly and cheaply. These really open up the possibilities for teachers to utilise content that really means something to their communities of learners, because they can contextualise and even personalise the learning.

Contextualisation is vital to developing understanding for learners, extending to a learners capacity to be independent (as well as a member of a team). Apple has brought Accessibility across the platform in a way no other manufacturer has. Simply use the speech and listening features, the visual enhancements and even the extension of sensing that iPad has. These unparalleled features open up the world for some learners. Take a look at FaceTime, and suddenly video conferencing becomes a daily possibility.

Apple has always been focused on learning happening at the point of discovery. iPad is a critical component in the learning infrastructure, in that it is designed to utilised in a moment, supported by the unrivaled battery life. Even the ability to share experiences and work is made supremely simple by using Apple TV or Apps such as NearPod to manage and exchange ideas. Some tablets will not even allow video output.
Audio recording, image and video capture, durable construction are very versatile. They work with the plethora of Apps (over half a million) many of which make use of these media features, and the choice is slightly beguiling. This is an issue that will not be lost on those seeking to understand how best to employ iPads in their classrooms. Bear in mind that some tablets will only run certain software, a problem in the Android world iPad users do not have to worry about. Apple’s Apple Distinguished Educators support and assist, and can rapidly help you find the Apps and the methods best suited to your situation. I know, I appointed the first of these in the UK, as well as being one myself, and we all believe that is is just as important to understand how to employ the products before buying them, and not simply to assume the investment is right and diving in early. Does that make sense?

Schools differ by culture, diversity of learners, legacy infrastructure, teacher capabilities and funding. Teachers and Senior Management need to ensure that what is selected is a fit for the future, has proven longevity, flexibility, is well designed, supported and trusted. Trust? Consistently iPads are by far the safest and most trusted devices of their type, effectively immune to malware and viruses ( See Page 17 of this report to quickly see the differences: )

http://bit.ly/13R8qdu.

iPad gives you all of this, and access to the sort of support that gets you up and running quickly, and to rapidly integrate learning scenarios. Why would you use anything else?

John Rudkin
Director iPad Academy
johnar@me.com
Linked in: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/johnarudkin

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Create your own iBooks
Presented by John Rudkin B.Ed. (Hons) Design Education Apple Distinguished Educator, Member of NAACE

Create iBooks, simply, quickly..........

You are investing in iPads, iPods and similar devices.
How can you get the best out of these modern, flexible learning and organisational tools creatively?

Available free on the Mac App Store, iBooks Author is an amazing new app that allows anyone to create beautiful Multi-Touch textbooks — and just about any other kind of book — for iPad. With galleries, video, interactive diagrams, 3D objects, and more, these books bring content to life in ways the printed page never could.
You are investing in iPads, iPods and similar devices. How can you get the best out of these modern, flexible learning and organisational tools creatively?

LEARN about publishing for Education in the 21st Century;   Learn about taking your teaching resources and turning them into ePublications; Develop Interactivity; Take you teaching to the next level with an educational expert recognised by Apple.
Details:  john@johnarudkin

Web: http://www.johnarudkin.net
Tel: 07708 933705

COURSES IN SCHOOL AVAILABLE from £100.00*
Not so small print:  Terms and Conditions apply.  Contact john@johnarudkin.net for details.
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IT in Schools

Suddenly, it has all become simpler and more versatile!

OFFER:- Contact me for a FREE, no obligation consultation.

If you can, fill in my brief survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/89CZJ7Y 

Here's what some have graciously said about me.......

"As we move forward in the council with a different
culture it's true to say that you helped to pioneer a much more positive
way of responding to ICT difficulties - that every challenge is an
opportunity for creativity."  

     Sue Harrison, Service Director - Learning, Schools and Communities, Blackpool
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“John is dedicated, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. Few people I worked
with had the same 'history' in education or the same passion for using IT
to help students succeed.
While I and others moved from the education space into more traditional commercial
roles John stayed true to his principles and dedication to education.”

  Derek Baker, Senior Manager, Education Solutions Group, Apple
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"John,  I hope people out their know how much of an expert you are.
Long may you be around to help people...."

    Geoff Reeves, Business Adviser to the Orvia Group
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“John is a passionate advocate and tireless worker for the effective use of
technology in learning. He is a good communicator and reliable partner in
any work-based project. And he has a lot of good experience to draw upon.
So versatile; committed; passionate and engaged are his watchwords.” 

    Nigel Paine, CEO, SCET, Head of People Development BBC
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“John is an excellent manager and expert on Apple Mac systems.
The time I spent with him was richly rewarding as he has a good grasp of
strategic thinking and planning needs in the context of ICT and its use in the
community.”

  Stephen Musgrave, Regional Manager, Open University
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“I have known John since 2001 when he led one of four feasibility pilots for the
South Yorkshire eLearning Programme, a complex and large-scale European-funded
programme to increase the IT skills of South Yorkshire in schools, libraries,
small businesses and community outreach centres. As Project Director for the programme
I was impressed by John’s passion and understanding of new technology and his ability
to engage with and build a community of teachers and trainers in the implementation
of a shared virtual learning environment and online learning resources.” 

   Christine Lewis, Cross Government and EU Strategic Alignment Manager, UK Ministry of Justice 
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“When Computers were something that cost as much as a 3 bedroom semi and the
internet had not even been christened yet I met a teacher called John (Mr) Rudkin. 
A friend of mine who went on to become a leading TV and Theatre dsigner introduced us.
Mr Rudkin taught us Design during which he imparted some really strong guidance
(an alien concept to many of his peers) they call it mentoring nowadays. 
He told us all that we could do whatever we wanted to do, simple really, but he backed
it up with support, guidance and encouragement. 
This set me on a path to a career in IT that I have enjoyed every day since. 
Thanks Mr. Rudkin.” 

   Martin Carroll, Director of IT Security, Rolls-Royce
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     Learn more about johnarudkin.net:  Go to http://www.johnarudkin.net.



  Call 07708 933705 to talk to John Rudkin at johnarudkin.net.
  email: john@johnarudkin.net for a no obligation chat, or arrange for a visit.

  - it only takes a moment to change the future

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