The blog title for today accurately reflects what I'm asked to talk about, teach and work with every day.

I love my iPad, I literally don't go anywhere without it. I love it's possibilities for education - certain a 21st Century Learning too that kids already instinctively know how to use it!

I get asked about 2 things: how to I get my iPad content on the SMART Board. Vanessa just posted about using the Mac HDMI adapter/dongle. There is also the VGA dongle, if you have an older projector. A few weeks ago, I posted a video about how to use Apple TV to mirror, and what I love about that option is that the iPad is now wireless & you don't have to be tied to your projector with a cable. As with all Apple products, usually the newest, coolest feature means having the newest operating system (i.e., sync those bad-boys with you iTunes for your free update, if you haven't synced since November). Here's the Apple TV video:

As previously discussed, the mirroring just displays your content - your SMART Board won't have touch. (as there is no way to get your SMART Board connected through the USB cable...soon, I hope, there will be a way to have touch on the board!) The advantage of this option, though, is that you don't HAVE to have a SMART board to show the iPad content - just a projector. 

This is particularly useful with the new iTunes U, iBooks 2 that went along with the big Apple Education announcement in "the big apple" last week (yes, pun intended). Almost all of the discussion on the Apple page about iBooks 2 is that there are currently no textbooks being offered in Canada through the iBookstore. I'm hoping that changes SUPER fast...I'm sure our Canadian publishers are all over it!

The second thing I get asked about is: how can I see my Notebook lessons on the iPad. There are lots of apps out there to 'take control' of your computer & use inking features, like Splashtop & Doceri (search whiteboard in the app store...ahhhh!) lots of 'VCN clients'. (VCN - Virtual Network Computing)

Having played around with many - I still feel the SMART Bridgit iPad app is the best option. Especially looking to even a school-wide implementation - this is cheaper than buying a whole lot of iPad apps & the desktop versions of the apps, it's pricey in comparison to a Bridgit license & the app is free & so is the desktop version. Here's a video on how to use the Bridgit app so you can see your SMART Board content on your iPad & 'take control' of the board from the iPad:

I was reading through my way too long list of Ed Tech articles to catch up on & there was an article saying exactly what I've been talking about with districts & schools: the inking feature isn't a replacement for student interactivity on the board.  There could be potential for the kids to be back at their desks all day, instead of up at the SMART Board. Inking doesn't equal interactivity, but it's sure a wonderful sight to see my SMART content on the iPad. 

While none of these solutions are perfect, yet, we still have come a long way in a few months. Who knows what tricks SMART and/or Apple has up there sleeves to give us all we want - Notebook on the iPad and iPad apps to be used on the SMART Board. Ah, a girl can dream.

Here are some links for using iPads in the Classroom...I could add a million a day! - 

As always, it's just fun to bring this type of learning into the classroom, no