iPad deconstruction
The 6th grade spent the period deconstructing the marketing around Apple’s new iPad announcement.
We started with the official video that greets visitors to the Apple website. What does Apple want us to believe about the new device? How do they use music, backgrounds, demonstrations and interviews to convince us?
Next we broke up into groups to figure out if the iPad is a technological evolution or revolution. Every group clearly agrees that this is merely an evolution – as Abe pointed out, “it’s just an iPod Touch that won’t fit in your pocket.”
Could the iPad be a replacement for your home computer?
“No way,” said Pearl and a few others. ”There is no way to connect your digital camera or a printer.” Students also pointed out that you need another computer to efficiently upload contacts, calendars and mail. Without USB, your limited in the devices you can plug in.
“There is no DVD player” pointed out Rowan. Mason thinks this is because Apple wants you to spend money at their stores to get content.
Comments are closed.
February 4, 2010 - 1:57 pm
Really enjoyed this! Well done!
March 13, 2010 - 6:23 pm
Hi. As an elementary school teacher, I must commend your class for looking beyond what was presented to determine if the iPad was worth the hype. Developing and implementing critical thinking skills is (as evidenced by your post) a necessary skill in and out of the classroom. Well done!
March 14, 2010 - 2:06 pm
As a physical education and health teacher at a middle school who is in an Educational Technology masters program , I am amazed with all the technology your school is learning. I learned a lot of current and new trends just by visiting your blog. So from what I gather, the IPad won’t replace computers and is a larger version of the ITouch and is fun to use.