Finally got one to test my resources

After a long time working on resources for on-line learning, delivery of training and Assessment, it has finally arrived “The IPad”. I must admit it has only been three years since starting the e-learning projects not that long in the scheme of things, I guess. Well here it is, so far yes I can attendance track students, result them from practical projects and units completed via the SIS tafeSA systems. All good.

But what about the work side of things, the word documents, really, can’t this be sorted out, have Apple and Adobe and Microsoft forgotten who their customers are. May be they have by the look of Microsoft’s profit forecasts or should we say loss forecasts. So many loyal customers just wanting to use Flash, Word & other simple everyday products. Yes you can use Google docs, text editor that look like word processors but there is always something that makes it difficult.

The tafeSA Moodle site runs ok and things appear and function until I get to the assessment tools. Match the answers (flash bases) SWF file, no go. I really hope the “PC based Surface” release will fix these annoying little things and help them all remember that the customers are the first thing that Apple, Microsoft, Adobe etc should consider after all we buy and use the products and business buys a lot of hardware and software.

The potential for the IPad, Surface, Android tablets is great in eduction, but I still feel they are babbling at the edges yet. I have tried, Tablet computers, Nexus One Smartphone, IPhone, Android tablets and now the IPad and found them wanting still. Better but still not quite there for everyday office use.