Jim's+iPad+Reflections

I thought I would write down some of my observations/ideas about the iPad

Re: Design Lab

 * Our curriculum depends highly on two programs Inkscape and Sketchup.
 * Currently all artwork created in the class is designed first on the tablets. Inkscape has some advanced features that make some of our assignment planning and design go very fast. There are a few vector drawing apps for the iPad, like iDraw, freeform, maybe even Sketchbook PRO. Of these right now freeform does 1/2-3/4 of what we require. There is no iPad replacement for Sketchup.
 * Students do a lot of the design work as homework and need their tablet with them in class both to work on and as a reference while they work. 3D design is integral to the course, we would be relegated to using the lab for the designing of 3D artwork. Losing the ability for homework would mean that a lot of valuable in class time would go to learning Sketchup and desinging in class.

Re: Textbooks

 * I have downloaded several PDFs into iBooks. One is the textbook for my Web Design class, the others are references for Web Design and the FIRST Tech Challenge. I love the notes feature in iBook but lament that it is not available when reading PDFs.
 * I was able to open these from my iDisk that I have via my MobileMe subscription. I have also been playing with DropBox It plays nicely with many apps on the iPad (not Pages yet, but I think it might be coming.) Like Evernote, DropBox syncs your files everywhere, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Blackberry, and through their website. It offers backups and the ability to restore deleted files and access previous versions of files. I am able to access these textbook resources from any computer at any time, they are also available offline.

Re: Taking Notes

 * I am liking Evernote though have not utilized it as much as Renee, but its syncing is very powerful, again all your note available whether you have internet access or not. On the iPad you are limited to basic text editing. Wish you could use a stylus.
 * smartNote looks promising, works a lot like Evernote, but you cn use a stylus or finger to draw diagrams too, has template like staff and notes to write music.
 * http://www.mobilenoter.com/ syncs with OneNote
 * A good discussion about notetaking on the iPad here: http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum/iphone-app-store/best-notetaking-apps-for-ipad-64666-3.html

Re: Files
> box.net, Dropbox, Webdav, SMB, facebook, myspace, flickr, and many more. It would depend on someone writing a plugin for that repository. > I found the use cases enlightening.
 * One of the keys I think is an easy way to get documents into the iPad and up into Moodle. In looking at the Moodle 2.0 docs it seems like students and teachers will be able to upload/submit files from other systems like:
 * For some good background of what is coming in Moodle 2.0 in terms of what to expect from repositories look at this page: http://docs.moodle.org/en/Repository_API#Student_submitting_an_assignment