 iPad — A Sea Change for Computing & Future eLearning
by Heather Tafel,
Amateur Futurist
I have seen this kind of change technology come before, but I did not recognize it instantly the first time. In the early 90’s, my dad, being a programmer, knew about all things computer and tech. He showed me how to use his CompuServe dial-up account...It was the Internet. I was not impressed. To me, the Internet was just a techie novelty.
Later while at college in 1996, a friend, another programmer with a much better sales pitch, reintroduced me to the Internet. But this time he showed me the World Wide Web, which included visuals and search engines. This looked like the next big thing — and it was. The next semester I enrolled in the HTML classes to learn how to create web pages. I was the only non-engineer in this class (an Art and Design major). Two years later the Internet was almost omnipresent and nearly everyone had an email address. Now the Internet is an essential tool for daily life.
This time I see a similar phenomenon in the iPad; we have what looks like a techie novelty, but I envision it becoming part of daily life. Being very curious and lovers of all things Apple, my husband and I acquired an iPad shortly after it came out. Besides the ease of use and seamless user experience that is typical of Apple products, the power, cost, and convenience of the device made it clear to me that changes are coming to the personal computer. Even Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, at the recent, Eighth All Things Digital (D8) Conference, said that he considers the iPad to be a new form of PC (personal computer).
Here is why the iPad will become ubiquitous with personal computing and business: 1) It is incredibly portable yet it is still powerful. Applications load quickly and web pages load as quickly as they would on my desktop. 2) The cost of ownership is quite minimal. Desktop publishing and office-type applications are only $10, and the device itself is relatively well-priced. 3) These office applications are the in the top selling applications for the iPad. People want to use iPad as a business device. 4) Programmers and digital designers alike are very interested in creating applications for the device. It is the new Gold Rush. In my experience this is reminiscent of the mid to late 90’s when most designers and computer geeks, I knew were experimenting with HTML and also trying out various languages for internet applications and interactive media. There will be many applications of all kinds for the device. 5) Perhaps the most persuasive reason that the iPad is here to stay — People ‘get it’. Already, companies like Farmer’s Insurance are adopting iPads to deliver training documents in lieu of spending the money to print the documents. Farmer's Insurance bulk orders iPads for $200 per unit to deliver training documents digitally, rather than spend $350 per printed handbook. This is just the tip of the eLearning iceberg to come.
As for it’s long term effect on eLearning, the iPad is the perfect device to deliver training that is accessible all the time. I predict in the next year or so tools will be created that make development for this specific platform and HTML5 fast. Centrax developers are already experimenting with creation of iPad applications and HTML 5 applications that are cross platform. We look forward to bringing the iPad and devices like it to a new level of usefulness to our industry. This lightweight ‘techie novelty’ computer it is here to stay. I am glad to call it now. |
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