iPads in academia?

[GreenAcademe]

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What with the new and spectacular iPad 2 making its debut, I'm curious as to whether any of you have thoughts about the use of tablets while in grad school.

I've never seriously considered one since I always wanted to wait until virtually all textbooks are available in digital format (I know, dream big!) before I invest in something like that. Yet, with the possibility of grad school looming on the horizon I wonder how useful it might be to have an iPad or something similar in order to have easy access to view and edit articles, PDFs, and other academic paraphernalia. It seems potentially more convenient and "commute-able" than my current, rather weighty laptop.

So do any of you have an iPad or tablet? If you do, do you think it's helpful? If you don't, would you use one if you had it?

 

[IvoryTower2013]

I do not yet have any type of tablet but am strongly considering some type of tablet, reader, or netbook (if others have opinions on the merits of one versus the other, much appreciated!). Although I prefer having paper copies of articles/pdfs, I have recently gone "paperless" and I agree that lugging around a laptop (particularly one whose battery doesn't last all that long) is a hassle. And there are many times that I don't bring the laptop with me, only to find I have a few extra minutes between meetings where I could be getting some reading done, but alas do not have my materials.

So, as someone who does not yet use one of those devices, I would definitely recommend considering one. Sorry I don't have any concrete suggestions but hopefully some other posters can offer their input on that!

 

[Jegg]

What with the new and spectacular iPad 2 making its debut, I'm curious as to whether any of you have thoughts about the use of tablets while in grad school.

I've never seriously considered one since I always wanted to wait until virtually all textbooks are available in digital format (I know, dream big!) before I invest in something like that. Yet, with the possibility of grad school looming on the horizon I wonder how useful it might be to have an iPad or something similar in order to have easy access to view and edit articles, PDFs, and other academic paraphernalia. It seems potentially more convenient and "commute-able" than my current, rather weighty laptop.

So do any of you have an iPad or tablet? If you do, do you think it's helpful? If you don't, would you use one if you had it?

I use an iPad for reading journal articles. The app is called iAnnotate. It is fairly versatile, and allows highlighting, underlining, as well as adding notes to the PDF file. The app also allows you to transfer the files to other computers with all of the editing (highlighting, etc.).

Likewise, I use the Kindle app for a lot of books, which basically allows me to carry around a library of resources that I can access from anywhere via my iPad's cellular network connection. The last time I looked the iBook (or whatever the iPad library is called) did not have much that was worthwhile, but the Kindle app for the iPad has a tremendous amount of useful books. A plus to using the Kindle app is that I can also read those books on all of my portable devices, including my laptop, which makes citations of paraphrases and quotes extremely easy. Of course, the other option is to stand the iPad up and use that beside my computer as well, effectively giving myself multiple screens to work on simultaneously.

Then there is the Dropbox app, which I absolutely love! I store all of my important files on the Dropbox server, and then all of my portable devices and computers have the Dropbox app installed on them. I can access all of important files from any device I own, or any device I am using temporarily as long as it allows me to install Dropbox. Anytime you make changes to a file, Dropbox saves it to the server, and when you use other devices, it updates those files on the other devices. It is an excellent way to have multiple levels of security from information loss via information redundancy.

 

[FadedC]

If you already have a computer at home I'd recomend just getting a netbook. They are lightweight, cheap, have long battery lives, and in my opinion are much easier to read articles and take notes on then an Ipad. It's just important to note that in order to be so cheap, lightweight and long lived they do sacrifice a fair amount of processing power. So unlike a laptop they do not serve well as your only computer.

 

[GreenAcademe]

Thanks for the feedback and insight, guys!

 

[Jegg]

Thanks for the feedback and insight, guys!

No problem. I find it very convenient to use an iPad when traveling (mass transit, etc), as it is easy to hold and read. Likewise, it is nice to be able to listen to music, or watch movies on it; the movies come in especially handy on airplanes trips (HD rentals via iTunes).

I definitely wouldn't consider it a computer replacement though. I use a Macbook Air 11" as my travel computer. If all you do is read journal articles and use word processing programs, the Macbook Air works great, but I'm not sure if the Macbook Air would be useful for SPSS. I dual boot (Bootcamp) a Macbook Pro with the Windows 7 Operating System in order to run SPSS (the Mac version of SPSS is known to be fairly buggy, so the Windows version seems to be a safer choice...).

 

[paramour]

Nope, I don't have one, and as much of gadget geek as I am, I wouldn't use one even if I did own one. I loathe reading electronic text, and it wrecks havoc on my eyes to my boot. I'm partial to reading books and my journicles hardcopy, and I shall continue to do so for as long as I am able.

As for textbooks, I found most folks stopped carrying them to class or did so sporadically. I have a laptop, as do several other grad students. Others have netbooks, some in addition to their laptops. Sometimes we carry them; sometimes we don't. I rarely if ever carry mine nowadays as I have less time on campus that I would actually be able to whip it out to use. In the past, I frequently carried it as I was on-campus and in the lab 6-7 days a week. Now, I'm usually on-campus for a few courses and meetings and then I'm off for practicum elsewhere. If I am on-campus, there are plenty of computers around for me to easily access within arms reach (in the same building), so it's not a big deal for me to look something up or print something out. Otherwise, any other work is done at home, so no need to drag extra stuff around. You'll likely find this changing yourself from semester to semester, and from year to year. Figure out what works best for you. People have their own preferences that don't work quite so well for others. (Some people think I'm nuts that I like my paper books/journicles!)

 

[KillerDiller]

If you already have a computer at home I'd recomend just getting a netbook. They are lightweight, cheap, have long battery lives, and in my opinion are much easier to read articles and take notes on then an Ipad. It's just important to note that in order to be so cheap, lightweight and long lived they do sacrifice a fair amount of processing power. So unlike a laptop they do not serve well as your only computer.

My Samsung netbook is actually my only computer. It has a good amount of storage and RAM (as much as my last full-size laptop). It would be different if I wanted to play PC games on it or something, but I don't need it for anything like that.

 

[AgapeBlue]

While NOT a gadget person, I have found my iPad to be very, very useful and is certainly a productivity tool for me. Grading papers from on-line courses, reading PDF's, journals, my to-do list and viewing my textbooks..etc. It's so efficient and a great time-management help for me.

My fave apps are Things (to-do lists), Dropbox, Papers (PDF/lit review manager..BRILLIANT!) and Bento (list/info manager).

I use a Bluetooth keyboard w/case with my iPad when I don't want to carry around the laptop around in my smaller bag.

I do believe that it is a personal preference. Everyone has to figure out what works for them and how they work best in school.

No problem. I find it very convenient to use an iPad when traveling (mass transit, etc), as it is easy to hold and read. Likewise, it is nice to be able to listen to music, or watch movies on it; the movies come in especially handy on airplanes trips (HD rentals via iTunes).

Exactly.


AB🙂

 

[Lisa44201]

Why an iPad (or other tablet-device) and not a regular laptop? Just curious.

 

[psydtobe]

I am considering getting the ipad as well, for academic and personal reasons. I have been waiting for this 2nd gen to come out and if you get the keyboard you could use it as a laptop 🙂.

 

[Jegg]

Why an iPad (or other tablet-device) and not a regular laptop? Just curious.

Personally, I couldn't use an iPad as a computer replacement. There are too many things an iPad can't do that I need a computer for, such as downloading files and creating folder and file systems in a central location, e.g. a desktop (the iPad saves files within apps, so there is no central repository for storing files or for creating file systems). There are too many programs I need to use that I can't use on an iPad, such as SPSS, Photoshop, iMovie, Illustrator, etc. Likewise, dragging and dropping between programs is something I can't live without on a computer anymore. Also, if I want to program something and implement it (such as a DHTML website), there is no way to do that on an iPad. I also archive my e-mails, so I can go back through years of e-mail if I need to find something important; the iPad does not allow you to archive e-mails.

I'm also used to typing on keyboards without looking at the keyboard. Typing on an iPad is difficult because I have to look down at the touchscreen keys, and carrying around a separate keyboard isn't efficient either (besides which, the key layout on the BlueTooth wireless keyboards is off compared to the regular keyboards, which causes accuracy issues when I switch between my laptop keyboard and the wireless keyboard, and vice versa).

That being said, I realize that many people don't have all of my needs when using a computer, so an iPad could be all they need in a computer. As mobile technologies improve, I'm sure devices like the iPad will eventually make clamshell designs obsolete. Likewise, keyboards and mice will become obsolete as well at some point, as speaking and hand motions are more intuitive modes of communication. Imagine going to class and having your iPad or other device transpose the entire class session into notes for you. The interesting thing is that all of these technologies are already on the market in some shape or form, but no one has integrated them all into a portable device where they can be utilized in that way yet.

I find that the iPad makes a nice adjunct to my regular computer. There are many times when I don't need my computer but when the iPad comes in handy, such as reading all day while sipping coffee or tea at Barnes & Noble (50 cent refills!!!). Likewise, I've found it to be much easier to use on an airplane or on mass transit than a computer, since it is only one flat piece, instead of the traditional clamshell computer design (which can be difficult to open completely on an airplane seat tray table or on Amtrak train tray table). The iPad is also easier to hold onto than a laptop when it is my lap or in my hands, as the hinge design on a traditional laptop creates a greater potential for it to fall out of my lap or hands and onto the floor.

 

[FadedC]

For me another big advantage of using a netbook/laptop for class over an Ipad is just that it looks much more professional. It's just a personal thing, but I'd rather give the impression that I'm taking notes rather then texting!

Ultimately though I think a big part of the decision should be based on your out of class usage. I think there's little question that a netbook is a superior in class tool, but it doesn't have a camera, gps, and other cool tools that the ipad has. So if your looking for something to bring with you on trips and read books on, then the ipad might look more attractive. If your just looking for a classroom tool then I think a netbook is the way to go.

 

[AgapeBlue]

Why an iPad (or other tablet-device) and not a regular laptop? Just curious.

As mentioned by others, the iPad is not a computer replacement for me. I do not use it in class to take notes or the like. It's a productivity tool and it is more efficient for me to pull it out of my bag to read something quickly between classes or while waiting for my tires to be rotated rather than having to deal with my laptop.

Do I carry both with me? Sometimes...it just depends on my schedule.

I have an iPad Bluetooth keyboard/stand and it's far easier to type with over the flats screen "keyboard" if I'm having to answer several emails at once or correcting papers and need to write notes...etc. And it makes a really nice protective case when closed up in my bag.

Why an iPad specifically and not any other tablet? Both my laptop and desktop are Macs and the compatibility between devices is really handy.

AB🙂

 

[psychphd4me]

My iPad was one of the best purchases I have made. I spend several hours commuting on the bus, and because of the backlighting/higher resolution, reading pdf files is very comfortable. I have a problem reading lengthy electronic documents on a laptop or desktop.

I do plan on adding a keyboard to my collection.

Thank you for the iAnnotate suggestion, Jegg! I downloaded it last night.

I save all important documents or files on MobileMe, which syncs them up with my iphone, macbook, and iMac for easy access to them at home or vice versa. I hadn't considered using Dropbox. I have an account, but only used it once or twice.

 

[Jegg]

My iPad was one of the best purchases I have made. I spend several hours commuting on the bus, and because of the backlighting/higher resolution, reading pdf files is very comfortable. I have a problem reading lengthy electronic documents on a laptop or desktop.

I do plan on adding a keyboard to my collection.

Thank you for the iAnnotate suggestion, Jegg! I downloaded it last night.

I save all important documents or files on MobileMe, which syncs them up with my iphone, macbook, and iMac for easy access to them at home or vice versa. I hadn't considered using Dropbox. I have an account, but only used it once or twice.

NP, iAnnotate is a great app.

I like Dropbox because it gives me 2GB of storage for free and the service usage is free.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I like Dropbox because it gives me 2GB of storage for free and the service usage is free.

I use Dropbox for anything important, as I once lost a week's worth of work because of a HD crash and lack of daily backup.

As for the iPad...I'm not sure it'd be great for grad classes, but netbooks and similarly small laptops are great.

I'm actually trying to get a couple iPads on my unit for research purposes, and secondarily as a educational tool. I know neuropsychs that use iPads to show patients the effected parts of their brain as part of their feedback session. I love technology, and for better or worse...Apple does a great job of getting technology out there.

 

[bmedclinic]

I use a netbook for being on campus- great for meetings/class where I need to pull up pdfs or notes. Though the processor isnt great, the top two applications I run on it are word and gpower 3.1 (for power analyses) so its enough.

Also, I ended up getting a Samsun N150- great battery life- lasts me probably 8 hours so I have this tiny thing that's 90% regular keyboard size, lasts all day and does what I want.

Also, I use dropbox like someone else mentioned. I use one for myself but then also created a new one when I started my dissertation. My advisor and I swap/organize/share files and versions of my dissertation on there. Worked out pretty well so far, and I'm past the proposal!

 

[Jegg]

I woke up at 5:00am this last Tuesday and waited in line for the iPad2 at one of my local Apple stores (I waited around 3 hours). I managed to get one (64GB 3G) and I like it better than the first one if only for the additional reduction in thickness and weight. The nice thing is, I sold me original first generation iPad on EBay for only a little loss in value over the original price! 🙂

In any case, it made me think of this thread...

 

[Occlumentia]

Reading journal articles and notes for ages on an iPad strains my eyes after a while so I'm considering getting an e-ink reader...does anyone here use one? Kindle, or Sony, or similar. The only thing I'm worried about is ease of highlighting and annotation and exporting back to a computer.

 

[Jegg]

Reading journal articles and notes for ages on an iPad strains my eyes after a while so I'm considering getting an e-ink reader...does anyone here use one? Kindle, or Sony, or similar. The only thing I'm worried about is ease of highlighting and annotation and exporting back to a computer.

I tried reading PDFs on my Kindle; it didn't work well on the 2nd generation Kindle. I'm not sure about other devices of its kind or the newer model.