Just wondering if anyone out there uses an i-pad in their schooling? We're thinking of getting one, but want to know exactly what we're getting into before we do anything!! Thanks
We just got one. There are some great aps out there. The only thing to be aware of is that they don't have flash, so some website material is not available. So if you want it to access websites for homeschooling, a laptop may be better. We started having the kids do a lot of their school on the computer, so last year we got an inexpensive laptop. Then this year we got another laptop. Now they each have their own. We home schooled cheap when they were small, and figure we'll spend more in the high school years.
We have an iPad and there are a lot of great apps out there. I consider them more educational time-wasters than actual supplements. Don't get me wrong, I love having it, and I think Star walk will be useful this summer, but I don't consider it an integral part of our schooling. Then again, my children are young. I think maybe for older kids it would be different.
I've thought of getting an IPad but our laptop does just as much as the iPad does and more. I think of IPads as computers that travel better. I don't go much of anywhere during school so...
I use mine to follow homeschool spot, Facebook & email @ home. Also, going to try to start using it for my to do list/scheduler. It's great for waiting at doctor's office. Play Stack the States or hearts. The kids have the ds. I have the iPad.
We would use it mainly as a back-up for the laptop. Maybe as an incentive to get things done in a timely manner Just thinking it would be a fun addition to what we already have as well as a sneaky way to get in extra learning time!
What do you mean by back-up for the laptop? Do you mean to be online while someone else is on the laptop? Because it's not actually a "handheld PC." It's still all apps. Think bigger iPod Touch and that's exactly what the iPad is.
I mean using the apps as add-on time for what we're studying, like state stacker to supplement the geography stuff, etc. Kinda like using board games to take the learning to a different arena or level for them. Just something to make it a little more fun and help them remember things better.
Thank you!! Now just praying our tax return will be enough to get one We're kinda hooked on it after a friend let us borrow his for a few days.
We have been toying with this idea, but it is still a little pricey. We could use it for several different things, right now it does not seem worth the money. Maybe when the kids are older.
We got the g3 version, because you can purchase g3 access on a monthly basis. Thought it would be great when we go on vacation vs. a year round commitment for an iPhone.
I would go with a laptop. I have the iPad (spoiled and got one for Xmas), Kindle (again - spoiled got this used for my bday) and a laptop. NOW - my highschooler is actually probably getting one for school next year, provided by the school IF she gets into the votech nursing program. They are putting all their text books on that thing. I have all my college books on it as well. My lower level high schoolers, well there is talk about a lot of the curriculum going on-line and we will see what happens. I wouldn't invest in it though for that purpose only.
No thing and no one is perfect. Personally, had an impossible time engaging my 11 year old for the last three years. It has made our homeschooling FUN and effortless especially establishing dialog and exploring research. The most important factor is the restriction button in the Settings or Utilities. I don't let my student use Safari, or youtube. (We have no issues with flash limitations). I have restrictions set on purchasing and deleting apps, too. We use it without a WiFi connection on the go. Our home school is way outside the Box... we make Art daily. We have about 30 different Art making/related apps. We explore foreign languages, music and many different spaces (inner and outer). We use two apps for raw foods recipes. We do yoga using an app. The iPad is used almost everyday (except the weekends oddly enough). My student has blown me away with how devise savvy he is. The biggest perk is that he uses it unprompted. Oh, it is cheaper than a Apple laptop $630 for a refurbished 16G with Apple Care. I've spent $60.00 on app purchases and upgrades. We have around 175 apps loaded. He uses MathBoard (paid version) and Words HD Free apps daily. I make spelling lists using SBSpelling app extracting my words from the Words HD games that we play. I highly recommend researching through the educational apps before any purchases and be sure to check the reviews especially before you download anything. Also, know that not every app that you may use/like is going to be listed as "educational".
I work part time, so my mom helps me hs. We have our two almost completely on ipads. It is really nice to have all the teaching and student materials on the ipads. I am using horizon math for dd2. We might have a lit book or a lapbook, but it still makes just the planner, ipads and perhaps a book or two. You can make digital workbooks using type on pdf out of pretty much any pdf formatted notebooking study or workbook.
Today, I would invest in a kindle fire for a kid vs the iPad. I email all my PDF files to my son that I need him to have and now have some of his textbooks on it.
