J school faculty, students consider possible uses for iPad

The device could be used for news delivery or as a digital textbook.

By Samantha Sunne

Published Feb. 5, 2010

School of Journalism faculty members see many uses for Apple's new iPad in higher education, though they have no plans to require it for students. Digital textbooks, news delivery and note taking are some of the most likely uses for the device among college students, said Keith Politte, manager of the Reynolds Journalism Institute Technology Testing Center.

"It gives a more multimedia idea of delivering information and sharing information," KOMU/Channel 8 New Media Director Jen Reeves said. "It's expanded the iTouch into a much larger format."

Apple is advertising the device's 9.7-inch screen as perfect for reading, browsing the Internet, watching videos or using applications.

"The iPad is the intersection between a notebook computer and a phone," Politte said. "It does have Wi-Fi and possible 3G connectivity, depending on the model."

The iPad could also be a very interesting news delivery device or e-reader, RJI Futures Lab Director Mike McKean said.

Apple is offering iPad buyers a free application called iBooks, which downloads books from the iBookstore and stores them on a digital Bookcase.

Politte said educational publishing is a viable implication of the iPad in higher education.

"For some subjects, traditional textbooks can't keep up with changes because the turnaround is too slow," he said. "(Publishing on the iPad) may offer a way to keep textbooks up to date."

Senior information technology major Josh Smith said digital textbooks would be his primary use of the device, along with taking notes. The iPad does not have a hand input function, like other tablets, but it does have a keyboard.

Smith said he would choose to have the iPhone over the iPad because it has more day-to-day functions.

"The iPhone is something you can use more throughout the day, while the iPad seems to be more of a niche device," he said.

Although not as convenient as the iPhone, the iPad is a portable device you can carry in your backpack or purse, McKean said.

"Essentially the iPad is just a big iPhone," junior IT major Geoff Pado said. "That's really good in a lot of cases."

Pado was a member of MU's iPhone app development class last semester, which will soon release a KOMU news app for the iPhone and iPad.

"We will be discussing iPad implications in that class which uses the same software development kit as the iPhone," Politte said. "MU is well-positioned to create apps for the iPad."

Reeves has been in touch with other universities that are piloting programs with the iPad, though there are no plans for such a program at MU.

Another possible implementation of the device is its use as a gaming platform, Politte said.

"There are a lot of interesting conversations we're having around using game theory for things other than entertainment," he said.

This theory, known as "serious gaming," could allow the iPad to work as a more immersive news platform, he said.

The first Wi-Fi iPad models will become available in late March and 3G models will ship in April. Prices will start at $499, according to Apple's Web site.