The IPad classroom revolution

No matter what the technology and how perfect people say it is, there are problems with it. After all, it's the nature of machines to reflect the imperfections of their makers. As I sit back and wait for my 3rd generation iPad to arrive, I'm more sensitive to the stories of imperfection about it. My reaction is a normal one--"Should I return the iPad 3 and trade it in for an iPad 2?"


The funny thing is, the more secure a company is in its product, the braver and more forthcoming it should be in fixing it. Of course, that's like expecting the CEO of a company to say, "We have some problems...and we need to fix them." It's a desirable trait, but not always perceived as necessary. It's easier to just "smooth things over," to keep silent until the issue can be resolved or until the last possible moment.

What are some of these facts that Apple maybe never publicized or hasn't been as forthcoming as we'd like as consumers? (Feel free to point out if that perspective is inaccurate!)

1. iPad's battery gauge is inaccurately saying it's at 100% charge when another hour is needed.
2. iPad burns hot, as hot as 116 degrees.
3. Old iPad2 apps will appear pixelated on the iPad 3 because they aren't built for retinal display, and will dramatically increase in size. If they don't, non-3rd Generation iPad apps will appear pixelated. (Source: MacWorld)
4. iPad 3 storage won't go as far as previous iPads because the retinal display optimized apps will be bigger. That means, you'll want to buy a larger size iPad 3rd generation. (Source: MacWorld)
5. WiFi problems have been reported for the iPad 3rd generation

Of course, it's probably an exaggeration to say you were never told these facts! The information has been out there for quite awhile. It would be more accurate to say, *I* didn't know about them until recently.

Would they have changed my decision to get an iPad 3rd generation? Not really. None of these are necessarily show-stoppers, or, at least, problems that will remain beyond a firmware update (except the battery burning hot, but I've had many a laptop that burned hot!). Let's see how the people at large respond but maybe it will affect my decision which one to buy for my students as we contemplate going over to the Ipad revolution in our classes.

“All the world is a laboratory to the inquiring mind.”  ~Martin H. Fischer

When I graduated from University, I knew that I was entering the next stage of my lifelong learning life.
Having the freedom to spend days in self-development and acquiring knowledge and new skills would be decadent beyond measure but so welcome!.
Truthfully, I prefer a balance of living and learning. There is great pleasure in learning for the sake of learning. But there is even greater fulfillment in applying what you learn in ways that improve your life and the lives of others. This happened for me in many significant ways in recent years.

What about you? Are you challenging yourself to continue learning in some way that will further your professional, mental, or spiritual development?

Here’s why being a life-long learner is vital to your fulfillment and happiness:

• Learning can make you more money. If you advance your professional skills, or learn new skills, you become more valuable to your organization, your clients, or your boss. If you continue to develop in emotional intelligence and leadership skills, you are viewed as a bigger player with the qualities to move ahead in your career.

• Learning makes you more attractive and interesting. As you develop your knowledge base, skill sets, expertise, and interests, you become a far more engaging, conversant, and sophisticated person. When you broaden your intellectual and emotional horizons, you attract a wider variety of people and can view the world from a more enlightened perspective.

• Learning keeps you emotionally healthy. When you both challenge yourself to learn something new and when you actually master the material, you will profoundly boost your self-esteem.  The sense of fulfillment in the process of learning and the application of learning is exciting. When you are deeply engaged in learning, you are “in the flow” — in the same way you are fully present and focused during meditation or creative endeavors.

• Learning keeps your brain strong, even into old age. Just as exercise keeps you physically fit, learning enhances mental fitness.  Senility is not inevitable. In the book The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science, research psychiatrist Norman Doidge, M.D., reveals that learning can alter our brain anatomy, improving cognition and perception, even as we age.  This is profoundly true when you challenge yourself to stretch your mind in areas where you are weak or inexperienced. Use it or lose it. I can personally attest to this!

• Learning is fun and engaging. Especially when you are learning about something you love. The learning world is your oyster. The internet has made continued learning so easy, affordable, and accessible. It’s hard to come up with a good excuse not to keep developing in all areas of your life.

If you find yourself watching hours of television every day, regularly reading lightweight novels or magazines, or running the treadmill of endless chores and tasks, I invite you into the classroom for a life-changing course in miracles!

A while back I was approached by a company to have my fingerprints taken in order to assess my multiple intelligences and how my strengths might be nurtured. Apparently all this information is stored in our fingerprints and we just need to be aware of it! Hmm . I took their  test  and a couple of weeks later met a counsellor for my report. I found out that  my TOP strength is “learner” .
Here is part of the report::
“You love to learn. The subject matter that interests you most will be determined by your other themes and experiences, but whatever the subject, you will always be drawn to the process of learning. The process, more than the content or the result, is especially exciting for you. You are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. The thrill of the first few facts, the early efforts to recite or practice what you have learned, the growing confidence of a skill mastered-this is the process that entices
you. Your excitement leads you to engage in adult learning experiences-yoga or piano lessons or graduate classes. It enables you to thrive in dynamic work environments where you are asked to take on short project assignments and are expected to learn a lot about the new subject matter in a short period of time and then move on to the next one. This Learner theme does not necessarily mean that you seek to become the subject matter expert, or that you are striving for the respect that accompanies a professional or academic credential. The outcome of the learning is less significant than the “getting there.”
I was very pleased with that and feel that it reflects me quite well. .Its amazing what secrets your fingerprints hold!

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL... Whenever I go around the shopping malls in Asia I am always intrigued as to how many people readily accept that that the blouse or tshirt they want to fit is not in a graded size or even makes any attempt to fit their shape. It is not remotely customised to the individual, it simply states one size fits all! And people buy it! They then try to convince themselves that they at a size zero and their friend at size 12 will both look appropriate and elegant in the same top that actually is made for a mythical average size that is not defined. Ridiculous!
Unfortunately that's just how much of modern day education in many schools still is...it is based on the principle that regarding the curriculum being taught and the methods used, one size fits all. It is not customised, it is not adjusted to the needs of the child. At the best international schools the child is not made to fit the curriculum, the curriculum is made to fit the child. Teachers understand the concept of multiple intelligence, differentiation and teaching each child from where they are in the learning process, what they know, understand and can do. And from there they plan for each child's next learning step. Each child is understood and valued as an individual. When you consider schools for your child ask the Principal if they have a "one size fits all" approach to learning.You might be surprised at the response!

How times are changing. The world is developing at a faster pace then ever before. Our children are born into a brave new world the like of which could not even be imagined not so very long ago. But where does this leave us in terms of educating our children?  Are the means and the methods that we went through sufficient for our children and our grandchildren? I think the answer to that is a resounding "No!"  Unfortunately education theory and practice takes a long long time to catch up with the real world and its demands. I have taught from Kinder 1 to University Bachelors of Education students over many years. I have seen major changes even in the past 10 years but still I believe that we are a long way behind where we should be. We have to be more responsive to the world we are in now and tomorrow and not busy preserving either the status quo or worse still the theory and practice of the 60s, 70's or 80's!  I am viewing this from the standpoint of an International educator of 35 years experience of local government schools and  International Schools in the USA, France, Denmark, Italy, The Philippines and the UK. My most recent experience is of International Schools in Manila and the local school system and that is where I propose to begin my blogging journey.