My experience with Apple devices is minimal to none, and likewise, I have little to no experience with tablets. It took me quite a while to get acquainted with the touch screen and the buttons. I adapted by watching some youtube videos, which quickly oriented me. This leads to my first two points (one good and one bad). The iPad is sleek, beautiful, and easy to navigate. On the other hand, because of the previous user had different log-in names and because the Innovative Teaching also had a separate log-in, I was unable to access many of the apps.
As I continued to play with the iPad2, I found that surfing the net was fun and exciting. However, my job was not to play with the iPad, but it was to try to incorporate the device into my classroom. Again, I googled and searched YouTube for creative ways to implement the iPad into the classroom with few helpful tips. I also called the textbook companies that we purchase from, and they only helped me to download the textbook onto the iPad. I sent out emails to fellow nursing faculty across the country, and I received no helpful tips.
Eventually, I stumbled on a few useful apps for nursing. One is called Clinical Skills ($4.99) that has short videos about different clinical skills. This app is for the first year students, and after watching the videos, I found that I could view similar videos on YouTube for free. Another app that I found cool is called the BP Experience ($0.99) in which the student can learn how to take a manual BP. It is very rudimentary and simple, but it would get the point across for the beginning students. I like this app because it is hands on and interactive. Here is a snap shot of the screen:
Finally, I found a nice app for free that I enjoyed using called Educreations. This app allows the instructor to create a presentation using pictures, writing in different colors, and audio. I created a presentation for my students on the topic of Psychotherapeutic Drugs, only to find out when I was done that I could not export the presentation. Suzanne had given me an adapter. so that I could plug the iPad into the SmartBoard in the classroom. When I attempted to present my creation in class, I found out the cord did not transmit the audio portion. I later found out that there is a separate cable for this.
In summary, I was very impressed with the iPad2 for personal use. It is very pretty and fun to use to surf the web, check email, participate in Blackboard discussion, etc. At this time, I could not find any apps or programs that make the iPad different then using a laptop or a SmartBoard in class. The Nursing Program advocates for students to use iPads for personal use, but our program at this time does not see any reason for using them in the classroom.
