Thinking the request was too late – the answer came back – sent from my iPad! How they are used is surprising, and a big impact is the surprising ways schools are using iPads around the world. Innovation and finding new ways to use them in education is helping the electronic tablet market expand, and the iPad is dominate in the space. Innovation that is the coolest, they are displacing other energy intensive processes and storage space needs. They replace laptops, textbooks and notebooks, and increasingly as a measure of assuring the learning experience around the world educational institutions are issuing iPads as part of the school material – an interesting move to make the technology more accessible.

While researching the dominance and the rise of the electronic market CO2Land org found the story posted September 23, 2012 (by Katie Lepi| Online Learning ) titled  9 Surprising Ways Schools Are Using iPads Around The World. As the iPad is dominate in the market and in institutions the focus is the impacts they have made to education and that the strengths continue to be developed. The innovation is helping in class and in life experiences and some ideas to encourage them include rewards ideas as in the article the coolest ways iPads are making waves in higher ed this year, from helping teams play better to ensuring students never forget their notes.

Looking at tablet brands and ownership is a necessary if you want to savy – obviously. Market share gleaned through the article lists iPad 61%, kindle 14%, nook 1%, Other 18% (assume they mean Android based systems), Don’t Know 6% – A don’t know sounds interesting!  On the subject of teaching with the devices it is found they become more than reading tools they connect the music the actual speaker and delivery of the intention of the speaker, and for most tech savy people it is an extension of a familiar experience of using a smart phone.

Co2Land org then looked at the global illustrations of their use and Online Learning and a cross-reference with Best Colleges Online was most helpful. For instance:

  Colleges in the UAE are going iPad only.

The U.S. isn’t the only place where iPads are becoming a common sight in college classrooms. In the United Arab Emirates, iPads are also playing a significant role in higher education. In September 2012, the UAE’s Higher Colleges of Technology announced a deal with Apple that will see the school’s campuses remove all paper and pens from the classroom and rely only on iPads for note-taking and information management. The change is expected to impact some 21,500 students. Similar programs are being rolled out at 62 other top colleges and in numerous businesses around the world.

  Gustavus Adolphus College has created an iPad app for admissions.

Instead of mass mailing thousands of brochures and packets in an attempt to recruit new students, The school has rolled out a new iPad app that’s full of information for prospective students, allowing them to learn about the campus, see photos, and even get materials for applying. Gustavus is one of the first to develop this kind of admissions app, though others could be soon to follow as tablet ownership becomes more widespread.

  Colleges are prepping for the big game with iPads.

iPads aren’t just showing up in college classrooms but on football fields as well, as coaches and players use them to get ready for games, strategize, and keep in touch. Ohio State and Stanford are two examples of schools that are making the most of the tech to keep coaches and players on the same page. The iPad method makes things a lot easier and makes resources accessible at any time and from anywhere.

  Regis College is going all in on the tablets.

The iPads will be distributed pre-loaded with apps tailored to Regis’ classes, so students only need to power them on to start using them in class. To prepare for the roll-out, students have been taking iPad training sessions and some faculty members received iPads in advance so they can practice working digital teaching into their curriculum.

  Wabash College uses iPads to facilitate history discussions.

The adoption of the devices in the course was motivated by rising printing costs and a larger pilot program at the school for using iPads in the classroom. The response has been positive, as students read e-books, use iAnnotate, and even explore a virtual version of Napoleon’s castle throughout the semester.

  A University of Michigan professor is developing new classroom apps.

At the beginning of 2012, Professor Perry Samson debuted LectureTools, an iPad app that makes it easy for students to collaboratively draw on a shared canvas. Samson teaches atmospheric, oceanic, and space sciences at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and developed the app as a way for students to be able to instantly annotate or ask questions about slides in a lecture. Even better, the application makes it possible for students to participate remotely, which can be a big help for non-traditional students balancing work and family commitments.

  Medical schools are making iPads standard equipment.

iPads became a common sight in hospitals all over the world almost as soon as they were released, and as a result a growing number of medical schools are making the tablets a part of their training programs. Even better, using the iPad will save more than 40 reams of paper that students would traditionally use for taking notes and printing out materials.

  Colleges are using iPads as marketing tools.

The tablets are proving to be successful tools for showcasing the brand of the school and plans are in the works to let alumni buy the devices, too, so usage could soon be much more widespread.

Co2Land org also notes further advantages where students can buy digital textbooks that don’t just provide the usual text, they also come complete with interactive features, quizzes, and the ability to annotate and highlight the text. Even better they also save owners money: up to 40% off the cost of bound textbooks as students can buy only the chapters of the book they need.

We better buy one!