Introduction of the iPad chance
By: Staff Editorial
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Opinion/Editorial
Jan. 27 was a big day for techno-junkies. Steve Jobs, owner of Apple Inc., unveiled the company's new tablet - the iPad.
Despite its questionable name, the iPad has the potential to do for interactive technology what the laptop did for work on the go.
A great divide remains between students who have been in school consecutively since kindergarten and those who are returning to school after years of being in the workforce. Those who grew up using technology like Macs, iPods and laptops are quick to create PowerPoint presentations or show off their work in Photoshop. A majority of the others, however, appear confused by the wonder of the Magic Mouse or the workability of Wacom tablets.
However, with all of the technology being introduced, including the iPad, Webster University and countless others are not utilizing this equipment to their full potential.
Last year, WU's Delegate's Agenda held court on the possibility of using electronic books - which would not only provide a lower fee for students but also minimize the amount of weight students must carry on a day-to-day basis.
However, it has been nearly a year since the administration shot down the concept of e-books. In a March article about this issue, Jim Staley, the vice president of Academic Affairs, said "The investment in the initial textbook inventory necessary for a rental program is not something that the university wants to undertake at this time."
With the advent of the multipurpose iPad, there will be an increasing number of WU faculty and students showing interest in this technology. Not only does the iPad provide people with the mobility of a laptop but also the conveniences of a smaller, Word-capable, Internet-ready tablet that is half the size of a computer.
Plus, the iPad offers its own Bookshelf, which will store numerous electronic books, making it not only more compact but also less expensive than physical copies. There are no transportation fees and no fourth-party providers - just the user and Apple. The iPad also provides pricing competitive to the Kindle and Sony Reader, making any of the three accessible options for students at WU.
For the less tech savvy, however, physical copies of texts could be shipped to the bookstore on campus - giving students a choice.
With the advent of e-readers, WU can easily become more technologically friendly. Expense is always a concern, but providing students with the option of buying a book electronically or learning in a classroom that caters to their needs can help cut the cost.
Despite its questionable name, the iPad has the potential to do for interactive technology what the laptop did for work on the go.
A great divide remains between students who have been in school consecutively since kindergarten and those who are returning to school after years of being in the workforce. Those who grew up using technology like Macs, iPods and laptops are quick to create PowerPoint presentations or show off their work in Photoshop. A majority of the others, however, appear confused by the wonder of the Magic Mouse or the workability of Wacom tablets.
However, with all of the technology being introduced, including the iPad, Webster University and countless others are not utilizing this equipment to their full potential.
Last year, WU's Delegate's Agenda held court on the possibility of using electronic books - which would not only provide a lower fee for students but also minimize the amount of weight students must carry on a day-to-day basis.
However, it has been nearly a year since the administration shot down the concept of e-books. In a March article about this issue, Jim Staley, the vice president of Academic Affairs, said "The investment in the initial textbook inventory necessary for a rental program is not something that the university wants to undertake at this time."
With the advent of the multipurpose iPad, there will be an increasing number of WU faculty and students showing interest in this technology. Not only does the iPad provide people with the mobility of a laptop but also the conveniences of a smaller, Word-capable, Internet-ready tablet that is half the size of a computer.
Plus, the iPad offers its own Bookshelf, which will store numerous electronic books, making it not only more compact but also less expensive than physical copies. There are no transportation fees and no fourth-party providers - just the user and Apple. The iPad also provides pricing competitive to the Kindle and Sony Reader, making any of the three accessible options for students at WU.
For the less tech savvy, however, physical copies of texts could be shipped to the bookstore on campus - giving students a choice.
With the advent of e-readers, WU can easily become more technologically friendly. Expense is always a concern, but providing students with the option of buying a book electronically or learning in a classroom that caters to their needs can help cut the cost.
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