Why use an iPod Touch instead of a netbook?

[SMeech]

Why use an iPod Touch instead of a netbook?

[Jeremy Brueck]

I think you have to make the call based on your instructional objectives and pedagogical approach. The technology, whether Touch or netbook, needs to support those 2 areas. There are probably certain settings where you would want a Touch and others when a netbook would be more beneficial. For example, if your students are working on editing a wiki page, netbooks might be more accommodating for that task. If you were providing student with "notes to go" via podcast of your slides and lecture, then you would want to have iPods. Until iPhone/iPod Touch can stream Flash video and support Flash multimedia I don't see them as the total answer to replacing netbooks/laptops/desktops. As a classroom teacher, I would try to create a learning environment where both pieces of technology were available for student use, based on objectives and pedagogy. See http://www.tpck.org/

[Kern Kelley]

Form factor. As the Touch grows more and more into a hand held computer (with hopefully a built in camera in the fall) and netbooks get smaller and smaller, I think that the first question is one of interface. Can you type a paper on an iTouch, sure but only if you had to. Can you listen to a podcast on a netbook, sure but not on a bus ride (easily) So it depends on the need. When we have teachers roam a classroom, inputting scores or participation grades into an iTouch, it's so much more manageable than if they attempted this with a netbook, no matter how tiny.

[Ben Knaus]

Here's what we need: An iPod Touch-type device that has an 8"-10" touch screen and an USB port to plug in a keyboard. It would have an on-screen keyboard used for little things but the full sized keyboard for blogging.

This is the best of both worlds. Small enough with no flip up to use on the bus but robust enough to use in the classroom with a keyboard. Perhaps with the new Google Chrome OS, it would be an excellent piece of hardware for Google to create.

[Eric Federspiel]

Mobility. I plan on having students record podcasts with the Touch this upcoming year, and they'll be ideal for roaming throughout the school, capturing interviews with teachers and students.

[Joe Wood]

I like the idea of using the Touches and iPhones my students bring with them to school each day. Perhaps we can leverage these tools. The form factor is quite nice also. This weekend I'm experimenting with using an iTouch as my primary learning device. We'll see how it goes.

[Mark Carls]

Very interested to hear what others think , I want to see more uses of how others are using both in he classroom, especially iPod Touches. In the future if an iPod touch gets a bigger screen and the ability to have a plug in keyboard would be the way I would see it, but who knows. Since NECC I've been gotten major iPhone envy and been looking more at an iPod Touch in the class, especially w/ http://ischoolinitiative.com and their YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/iSchoolinitiative
Can't wait to hear from others.

[SMeech]

You mention screensize as an important consideration, but is that coming from students or from adult perspectives? My experiences is that it doesn't really matter to the students as much.

Mark Carls said:

Very interested to hear what others think , I want to see more uses of how others are using both in he classroom, especially iPod Touches. In the future if an iPod touch gets a bigger screen and the ability to have a plug in keyboard would be the way I would see it, but who knows. Since NECC I've been gotten major iPhone envy and been looking more at an iPod Touch in the class, especially w/ http://ischoolinitiative.com and their YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/iSchoolinitiative
Can't wait to hear from others.

[SMeech]

Great point Kern ... The only caveat I would put on your thoughts is that we often over estimate the power of a device from our perspective and not the students. I don't think students have nearly the hang up with typing on these devices as adults do. I think students can and would be very efficient with typing a paper on the Touch. Your thoughts?

Kern Kelley said:

Form factor. As the Touch grows more and more into a hand held computer (with hopefully a built in camera in the fall) and netbooks get smaller and smaller, I think that the first question is one of interface. Can you type a paper on an iTouch, sure but only if you had to. Can you listen to a podcast on a netbook, sure but not on a bus ride (easily) So it depends on the need. When we have teachers roam a classroom, inputting scores or participation grades into an iTouch, it's so much more manageable than if they attempted this with a netbook, no matter how tiny.

[Ben Knaus]

I'm all for letting students have and make decisions. However, I don't think that is one that they should be involved in. Typing on a Touch is not time effective or good for their developing hands. I'd argue the same for screen size. Eyes shouldn't be forced to stare at such a small screen.

It will be interesting to see the research and studies that happens over the next 10 years in response to these devices and the impact they have on bodies.

[Daniel Rezac]

Right now, I don't use either...yet, but I'm leaning towards the Netbook. Personally, it's because the process is still being vetted. I'm voting with my dollars, and I'd like Apple to put out a larger, more affordable Tablet Mac before I make a decision. I'm really protective of my teaching process, so I make this decision with what benefits the teaching process and pedagogy most (to echo Mr. Jeremy Brueck).

This is also a question about Apps vs. the Cloud. When the CrunchPad comes out, Apple will undoubtedly put out its iTablet, and it will undoubtedly be much more expensive than any other offerings. Now, I love Apple products, and I love the iTouch, but I also support the Cloud. I think that the Cloud is coming up with some wiz-bang apps, and I think that as the Cloud grows, developers will be much more interested in creating Apps that more people can use than just iTouch users.

I think that the vetting process will lean us toward Cloud Apps. Apple will also start going this way. Microsoft is supposedly going to be releasing a cloud version of Office very soon, so it's getting very interesting.

I like the idea that any Joe from anywhere can make a tool that any kid with a browser could use in any classroom. I just wrote a post about how the CrunchPad and Google OS could make a big difference for Netbooks and digital equity. I consider myself and Apple loyalist, but I think I'm a Cloud loyalist first. The next few years are going to be really fun to watch.

DR

[Bruce Abernethy]

We've got 3 iPod Touch(es) that we've been using for over a year and a couple new Dell 2100 kidbooks. Both are being used for educational purposes and "just for fun" purposes (and learn a lot from both).

Face it, ever since you saw the first PADD on Star Trek, everyone has been wanting a cool hand-held device like this.

It is light, portable, wireless, has a touch screen (and nice user interface), no battery problems, reponds to voice, video, and even interfaces with other devices (e.g. a nice tricorder or two).

Have the iPod Touch, or a touch-screen laptop like the 2100, achieved these features to science ficiton levels (and made kidproof with a reasonable price?)? No, but they are both close, and each has important features that the other one does not. Both are exciting products that I would not be able to get out of the hands of users for a day, and are best-of-breed of their types of devices. But .....

The iPod touch is too small for many important user-interface needs, lacks an easy microphone (expensive integrated options aside), and a camera, battery life is really good (better that the netbook) but still not good enouh. I've created basic applications for the iPod touch and the barrier to good development on the iPod touch is somewhat higher than PC development, for educational software vendors. Installing applications is difficult with the requirement of the iTunes App Store - there are local development and enterprise application distribution methods but I do not know of people using these in Education.

The netbook needs the larger 6-cell battery to even be close to being useful without being tethered to a power supply. It has an integrated microphone and camera, but they have some issues there (see the link above). The touchscreen is pretty unique on netbooks and kids seem to really use it in unplanned and unexpected ways. The screen resolution is awkward having a custom resolution.

In the end, I'd say the netbook wins for now with a great deal of existing educational software, simulations, productivity, and Internet clients. The iPod is ahead on quality of hardware, user interface/experience, and usability but lacks serious educational or productivity software.

[Mary Beth Hertz]

In reading the previous posts, it seems to me that for now, netbooks seem better for use in the classroom for word processing, collaboration, etc... I can see iPods being great for 'field work' or the Science lab where they could be used to collect data or take notes, do simple computations or quick research.

In response to Daniel Rezac's post, I agree that Apple's iTablet will be beyond the financial resources of most schools, but in order to stay relevant in the K-12 arena, they need to release something akin to a netbook (other than the Air) or Crunchpad.

As far as selling the idea to schools or districts, netbooks have a comparable cost and they are easier to keep tabs on since an iPod fits easily into a pocket. However, just as schools purchase scientific equipment for their labs, they could purchase iPods as calculators, data collectors, communication devices and more for the lab.