I would like to thank the TaskForce with your comments. This blog has been very helpful and I appreciate the opportunity to have met and corresponded with many of you. If there is anything that I can do to be of service to you regarding any technical issue with the iPad or Apple Products, please feel free to contact me. I have been working with Macs for a loooooong time. lol.
Hope you all have a great summer and we get to recharge our batteries.
With best wishes,
Keith Webb.
I was fortunate to have had the luck of the draw and to test drive an Apple iPad for this task force. I have had virtually not complaints using this outstanding device. The iPad has worked extremely well while integrating with my coursework, data, management and professional tasks relating to academia needs. I am particularly pleased with the flexibility of the devise – part of that is due to what seems an infinite number of apps that are available for the iPad. My only complaint about the machine is that the iPad operating system is not compatible with Flash. This media player is still a common player and iPad users are missing out without on some content.
In regards to grading, there were numerous apps that are available to help with the markup of documents in many forms. Annotated PDF, SketchbookX, GoodReader, Adobe Reader, DocScan HD, Pages and PDFReader Lite were some of the programs that I examined and considered for assistance in coursework applications. In addition, I strongly encourage all faculty to consider using Dropbox for a similar iCloud service for students and faculty to share work, distribute and store work. This practice will keep student work from being lost and virtually nullifies the excuse, “The dog ate my homework” and the like on course deadlines.
Additional purchases to complement iPad were made. I purchased a case and bluetooth keyboard for the iPad. The iPad built touch keypad is very sensitive and I quickly found out how heavy fingered I am on a keypad. For me, It is worth the $100 for this purchase. The bluetooth keyboard is detachable and the case has a stand that then converts the iPad into a mini laptop computer.
I see the future of this devise as being one that is integrated into all phases and disciplines in the university. Mobility, flexibility and the continued development of more robust operating systems and apps are still coming. Adobe Photoshop, for example, is an incredibly robust software that is used extensively in the area of Graphic Design. More and more individuals beyond this discipline are using the program. Adobe announced at the beginning of this year a Photoshop Touch. This program is one of many lighter versions that Adobe now offers. Historically, there has always been a battle between software vs. hardware in meeting the needs and expectations in the market. There has been numerous times when the OS within both Mac and PC platforms have changed for better OS performance, memory or processor architecture designs. This battle is still taking place but now within the iPad OS vs. Apps. This contest and the demand of the market will continue to propel advancements and capability with the iPad.
Presently however, students should not expect to purchase an iPad and be able to perform all of the Graphic Design requirements within courses. This might change in the near future as both software and iPad capabilities grow.
Keith Webb
My final verdict on the iPad 2 is this: luxury. Not to say that it’s the primo-, top-of-the-line, best-of-the-best device, but rather to say possessing one is not a necessity but a luxury. It can make some tasks easier to complete on the go, and it can provide an extra communication device to keep you in touch with the office. But it has a long way to go before it becomes a required-for-how-I-do-business device. It’s flashy, it’s fun, and it can do some really cool stuff… but I can’t rely on it solely, and I can’t even do an hour’s work without switching to another system.
Part of this might be because we are a Windows/Microsoft campus. The integration points just aren’t there. Too much to bridge, to patch, to tweak in order for it to work. And all that extra stretching just makes me want to put the iPad down and work on something that doesn’t have to be converted to suit my needs.
If these devices were 100 or maybe even 200 dollars, I might be able to see them as a justifiable personal expense. It saves time with email and communications, and it saves trees with the amount of notes I take. But $500+ for the device and even more to make it work compatible is a steep cost to ask of our regular employees. If we eventually do become a Bring Your Own Device campus, most people on a budget would have to choose between a laptop and an iPad (or similar device), and I just don’t see anyone choosing this first. There are too many gaps. It’s an excellent support device, but if I can only have one… the tablet gets tossed first and I use the device that does everything… even if it’s bulkier and I have to wait 30 seconds for it to boot up.
I do think there are great opportunities around campus to pinpoint specific needs for people to stay in touch, access things remotely, and to trouble shoot on the go. As a campus, we could greatly support some technology positions and some support positions by providing them with a tablet device. Much time could be spent evaluating position needs and identifying areas of campus that could benefit from the use of a tablet, but I feel it would be a rewarding venture.
Screen resolution-How good was the tablet screen for your purposes?
The resolution was good for any app that was intended for use on the iPad. However, I did have some issues with web pages and when remoting in to my desktop.
Did you have to enlarge or shrink the screen constantly?
Mostly just on web pages in order to read articles.
Was the screen large enough?
The screen was a great size.
What screen position worked best for you, portrait or landscape? Why?
I almost exclusively used landscape orientation for the wider keyboard. I also found the wider orientation allowed for a better layout for notes and email.
Was the screen bright enough?
The screen was occasionally too bright… but it was very easy to adjust. I never found myself wishing it could be brighter.
Was the touch screen responsive?
Interestingly, I have more pin-point control on my tiny smartphone (a Samsung Galaxy, Android phone) than I did on the iPad. The device often made me feel “fat-fingered” and ungainly. At first I thought this was just a problem of adapting to a different layout, but even now I still find that the response is not always exact.
Was taking notes easy or cumbersome? Why?
Note-taking was by far the best feature of the device. It proved an easily accessible, portable, clean note-taking and keeping medium. I’m not sure I could go back to carrying around a pen and pad of paper.
Were the notes apps you used difficult to navigate?
Not at all. Though – and this goes back to one of my original complaints – since they did not include any sort of users’ manual with the device, I did not know all of the capabilities of the notes app until a month or two into use.
Did you prefer a stylus or using your hands, or did you use a combination?
I used my hands almost exclusively. I did try an attachment that I use with my Nintendo DS – a plastic claw-like cap that you can put on a thumb or a finger that adds to precision – unfortunately it did not work with the iPad.
Did you feel the tablet’s physical buttons were well placed and easily accessible? Do you think your tablet needed more external physical buttons?
The buttons were fine… just would have been nice to have even a one-page manual to that showed what each button was.
Were you comfortable with the tablet OS?
Yes.
Was the OS easy to learn and navigate?
It wasn’t bad. Not having the option to right-click was tricky at times, and it took me a while to figure out most of the features, but I never really had significant troubles with the OS.
Were you able to customize your tablet screens easily? Did the customization of your tablet make it easier to do what you needed it to do?
It’s kind of annoying to customize the app organization on the iPad… much more so than on my Android phone, but once I got everything where I wanted it I was able to adapt.
How difficult was it for you to learn how to use the accessories, such as the camera? Do you think the apps for the accessories were easy to use?
The cameras – both front and rear facing – were very easy to use and easy to learn. They weren’t anything worth writing home about in regards to quality of pictures, but they’re a fun bauble for my toddler. I don’t see myself ever using the device to take any legitimate pictures that I might consider printing… or even exporting to another device.
Was the virtual keyboard easy to use?
It was cramped and I ended up with a lot of words connected by “n” instead of separated by a space. It was also not easy to correct spelling or typographical errors.
Were you able to log in to the UCONNECT and WebCT easily?
UCONNECT worked fine for me. I was able to submit and approve Time Sheets using the Safari browser without any problems.
How difficult was it to navigate the UCONNECT and WebCT websites?
No difficulty.
What would you change on your tablet to make it easier to use and more accessible?
I’m probably beating this to death, but the iPad desperately needs a users’ manual. It seems a bit ridiculous to have to use my computer to look up how-to-use-X-on-iPad via Google. Even if it came with a video guide, that would be something.
What were the easiest activities to do on the tablet?
The easiest things were also my primary activities: taking notes, checking email, and checking my calendar. Internet browsing was fine… I rarely ran into the dreaded “No Flash” monster.
What were the most difficult activities?
Actually… most of the time it’s just typing. (I cheated and wrote this blog post on my desktop in Word… way too long to even attempt on the iPad)
Would you recommend a tablet to a student with disabilities? Why or why not?
I mentioned in a previous blog post that I would highly recommend the Dragon Dictation app for the iPad. It’s a free app that converts speech to text. I know that Disability Support Services has something similar on their desktops in their offices for students to use. This might be worth the cost of the tablet for a student who needs help in this area.
To begin with, I”ll start with the Nook as it was out of the box. It’s adequate as a reader, which is its primary goal, but lacked a lot of the functionality that most users need and / or want in a mobile device. It’s size is smaller than the larger tablets, but that size allows me to hold it in one hand and use the other hand to type on it. It lacks bluetooth capability, and is quite simply, an e-reader that allows some additional functionality. Specifically, it allows web browsing, email and a few apps. Overall, in it’s native form, it’s simply adequate.
Once the Android OS is applied to the device, most of the criticisms no longer apply. Where the native Nook OS only allows a limited choice of apps to install, the Android OS allows users the whole of Google Play and the Amazon AppStore to find and install apps. Since more apps are available on the Android OS, you can simply do more. Workarounds specific to the native Nook OS are no longer needed when using the Android OS. For instance, checking out a digital book on the native Nook is troublesome at best. With the Overdrive App on the Android App, it’s really easy. On the native Nook OS, setting up email was clunky and was littered with issues. With the Android OS, it was very easy to connect with the Exchange Server and allowed every conceivable convenience when checking and sending email. Web browsing was the same in both versions, but the Android OS just felt more responsive when browsing. I’m not sure about the native Nook, but apps for Flash, Shockwave, etc. on the Android OS do enhance the web experience.
So, if a friend, student or faculty asks me about the Nook, and if I feel it’s worth the money, I think I will respond by telling them that if you want a solid E-Reader, get the Nook. But if you want a more dynamic experience, while keeping the E-Reader capability, and perhaps expanding it, boot the Android OS off of an SD Card and enjoy.
For the above, and in most of my posts, I’ve differentiated between the native Nook OS and the one I added by calling the new OS, Android OS. I’m aware that both OS are Android. It’s just that the native Nook OS is so locked down that I felt it was more proprietary than anything and needed to have the two distanced. The Android OS I’m currently booting from the SD Card is CM7. CM9 has recently been released and I think over the summer I may move to that OS.
Oh wow! Windows has more cool stuff to offer.
I just “activated” the Windows Live Writer on my Acer Iconia W500. This is how I did it:
I wish I had found out about this earlier. The Live Writer hooked me up to the blogs.uco.edu/tabletdiscovery website and allows me to post blogs without actually getting onto the website. My previous post entitled “Test #1” was a trial of posting a blog using Live Writer and not the website.
The layout of Windows Live Writer is very similar to Microsoft Words. It allows me to publish blog posts straight from the editor. I can insert the following items (video, table, map) without leaving the editor to copy and paste them here. How cool and convenient is that.
Ranking of the Country Organization at
The International Fine Arts Festival 2012
| Ranking | Country Organization |
| 1 | European Student Association |
| 2 | Chinese Student Association |
| 3 | African Student Association |
I have enjoyed watching netflix on this Nook more than any of the other options, the picture is so clear. The volume is not so great though. I also like it for reading my magazines even though I have to adjust the page size. I will continue to use the Nook for note taking at meetings and for entertainment.
The tablet discovery has been a fantastic opportunity. I would not have chosen to do something like this on my own, and am quite surprised that I was chosen. I am not the most technologically sound 
. I have learned so much in this short time. I have learned more on os options, blogging, troubleshooting,and trying out apps. The Nook is a fine tablet, but I would not make it a first recommendation for someone with disabilities due to the limitations of it. One may fare better with a higher operating system. All in all, I would say the usefulness of the Nook would be on a user by user basis. You would have to do some research to determine what it is going to be used for and how often.
Thank you all for your help and take good care.
I have enjoyed this experience!
I have not been able to find a secure lock feature for the Nook while in dual boot mode. I may have to download an app to properly do it, I’m not quite sure. There are a great number of different options, but I will have to research which ones are compatible with the dual.boot setup.
The Galaxy tablet makes an excellent companion. I was skeptical at first, thinking that tablets are pretty much a “novelty” device; it was hard for me to see how I was going to integrate the Galaxy into my work here at UCO.
I have to admit I was surprised. The tablet has proved to be indispensable in meetings and when I am on the go. No one gives a second thought to me showing up at a meeting with a tablet instead of notebook and paper. And that allows me to not only take notes in the meeting, but respond to urgent emails, browse the web for information on meeting items I am unfamiliar with, and share things with the group. Also, I can access my desktop machine and access systems that allow me to address urgent issues, all while in the room and without disrupting the meeting.
One drawback is of course the VPN. However, I do not blame this on the tablet. If I were able to access the VPN via the Galaxy, the tablet would definitely be my go-to mobile device.
Another downside is the lack of integrated video output. Of course the adapter can be purchased, but it’s HDMI only, and $30 on top of that. It would be great to integrate these tablets in the classroom, but with a proprietary video adapter it becomes difficult to do.
All in all I would say that the Galaxy is excellent for someone that needs a personal mobile device that can do more than a smart phone, but is smaller than a laptop. This device does ALMOST everything my laptop does, and it weighs about 7 pounds less and is a lot easier to carry around. I don’t see the tablet becoming a device that can be integrated into classrooms and work the way laptops can, but for a personal assistant type tool, this gadget can’t be beat.
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