iPad and Me (and the Library)
This last week I finally got my hands on an iPad (apart from that one in the States) without visiting the Apple store and waiting in a terribly long line just to get a quick touch.
Turns out as part of the ‘emerging technologies’ strand of our Learner Support programme we get to buy awesome stuff and play with it. The actual project details we’re still working on but basically there are five strands with an over-arching aim to deliver better support for library users. These include:
- induction (orientation planning);
- the service model (face-to-face/informed referral);
- promotion and communication;
- staff training;
- and emerging technologies.
For the emerging technologies mini-project we’ve been tasked with identifying the tools needed to underpin a new approach to service delivery. One that supports inquiry based learning for example.
When the iPad first came out I was impressed, sure, but I have a MacBook, I have an iPhone, do I really need an iPad? What would I do with it? I’m not sure if it’s a computer, an ereader, a big iPhone (without the phone bit) but the one thing I do know now is that I never want to give it back…
iPad is thin, iPad is beautiful, iPad goes anywhere and lasts all day. There’s no right way or wrong way. It’s crazy powerful, it’s magical. You already know how to use it. It’s 200,000 apps and counting. All the world’s websites in your hands. It’s video, photos, more books than you could read in a lifetime. It’s already a revolution and its only just begun.
It’s also an amazing notepad! Having had the iPad by my side constantly all week I’ve found myself pulling it out in meetings to type up personal minutes, demonstrate reading lists, dig out email correspondence about book purchasing and check over course material on our virtual learning environment. I haven’t brought any fancy apps for it – even the fish pond was free – I’ve just made use of everything it already has. The notes app looks and feels fantastic and having the option to search means I’ve made more use of the notes I’ve taken… not to mention saved a few trees. Oh and having a cool to-do app has really kept my productivity in order – it actually makes me want to tick off actions.
Personal uses of the device have ranged from booking my holiday, listening to music, reading ebooks (yes, I’m reading an ebook – Moby Dick in fact and it’s superb) and playing video games. I can see me getting use to having this little guy around. Really.
That's me... Lex Rigby
