iPad usage in Grad School

[GoPokes]

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So this thread might be a little different than the typical threads here, but I was just curious of others experiences/suggestions.

My laptop is incredibly bulky (and, quite honestly, old) and I'd rather not have to lug it around with me everywhere while in grad school (I start this coming Fall). I do have an iPad with an external keyboard, and was wondering if anyone here had any experience with using one while in grad school? I'm talking for pure in class note-taking purposes (not SPSS or anything like that). In undergrad I've had a good experience with using Docs2Go which functions a lot like Microsoft Word and it automatically syncs to your DropBox account. Obviously I've never been in a graduate level course, so I wasn't sure if I would be able to type everything on an iPad or if I should just stick with paper and pencil.

Any thoughts, experiences, or suggestions (about iPad apps or otherwise) is appreciated!

 

[KillerDiller]

I'm sure that would be fine for taking notes. I used my netbook and google docs quite a bit, which is essentially the same. Just make sure you aren't one of those people who type really loudly 🙂.

 

[KillerDiller]

P.S. Which Pokes does your name refer to?

 

[GoPokes]

P.S. Which Pokes does your name refer to?

Thanks for the response. I didn't know there was more than one, but mine refers to Oklahoma State University (where I'm finishing my undergrad) 🙂

 

[niknok]

I'm sure that would be fine for taking notes. I used my netbook and google docs quite a bit, which is essentially the same. Just make sure you aren't one of those people who type really loudly 🙂.

Yeah those students can be quite annoying for other students and professors. I'm using an iPad now but it's hard to type with touch...

 

[KillerDiller]

Thanks for the response. I didn't know there was more than one, but mine refers to Oklahoma State University (where I'm finishing my undergrad) 🙂

There is the University of Wyoming as well, which is actually what I was hoping you would say, but that's ok.

 

[GoPokes]

Yeah those students can be quite annoying for other students and professors. I'm using an iPad now but it's hard to type with touch...

You should look into getting a wireless keyboard for it. They are a little pricey, but are SO much easier to type on.

 

[GoPokes]

There is the University of Wyoming as well, which is actually what I was hoping you would say, but that's ok.

Oh ok. I knew Wyoming had an almost identical mascot, but had no idea they used that phrase also.

 

[Lyra33]

I use my iPad with a wireless keyboard to take notes in all my classes. It works great and is much easier to carry around than my laptop. I highly recommend it! There are other students in my cohort who do this as well.

 

[GoPokes]

I use my iPad with a wireless keyboard to take notes in all my classes. It works great and is much easier to carry around than my laptop. I highly recommend it! There are other students in my cohort who do this as well.

If you wouldn't mind sharing, what app are you and your fellow students using for note taking?

 

[Pragma]

I use my iPad with a wireless keyboard to take notes in all my classes. It works great and is much easier to carry around than my laptop. I highly recommend it! There are other students in my cohort who do this as well.

I am not sure exactly when it happened, but all of a sudden people stopped using paper/pencil. No one in my cohort used electronic devices to take notes, but about 2-3 years later suddenly students were doing it all the time.

I can say as an instructor that I get really annoyed by students using laptops. I am sure iPads are more subtle, but when I am teaching and students are staring at a computer screen, I have no idea if they are paying attention and taking notes or facebooking. To me it seems to create a physical barrier within the classroom.

If I feel that way (and I am under 30), then I can only imagine how some more established profs feel. I think there is something to be said about taking written notes for the encoding process, but maybe I am just old school.

 

[Wilhem]

With a Macbook Air there's no need of a wireless keyboard.

 

[PsychPhDone]

I am not sure exactly when it happened, but all of a sudden people stopped using paper/pencil. No one in my cohort used electronic devices to take notes, but about 2-3 years later suddenly students were doing it all the time.

I can say as an instructor that I get really annoyed by students using laptops. I am sure iPads are more subtle, but when I am teaching and students are staring at a computer screen, I have no idea if they are paying attention and taking notes or facebooking. To me it seems to create a physical barrier within the classroom.

If I feel that way (and I am under 30), then I can only imagine how some more established profs feel. I think there is something to be said about taking written notes for the encoding process, but maybe I am just old school.

I walk around the room while I lecture. So far I haven't caught a single person doing anything but taking notes...my students must be sly. I also do lots of activities/discussions to get them away from their devices, though. Just a contribution on the issue 🙂

 

[GoPokes]

With a Macbook Air there's no need of a wireless keyboard.

That's cool and all, but not all of us have (or want to) spend that kind of money.

 

[Pragma]

I walk around the room while I lecture. So far I haven't caught a single person doing anything but taking notes...my students must be sly. I also do lots of activities/discussions to get them away from their devices, though. Just a contribution on the issue 🙂

Oh I walk around too and transition between activities a lot. I teach a lot of night classes so we have to mix it up quite a bit. But regardless, the laptops still bother me. It might be just me, but I feel that students are too into their devices in general. Before this it was texting and I had to include info in my syllabus.

It isn't a big issue, just an aversion. I don't struggle with students not paying attention very much, but I seem to have a negative attitude towards students that are looking at their laptops and not into the actual lecture and discussion.

 

[psychanator]

For those of you who do use ipads (instead of, or in addition to laptops), do you store your textbooks on your ipad?