Finding the right piece of technology for your child’s needs isn’t an easy task. They have their ideas about ”essential” technology, and you have yours. In the approach to my daughter’s exam years I wanted to find the right device that didn’t break the bank.
Although she was dead set on a laptop, I wanted to try something more versatile and easier to use on the go. I settled on the new 9.7 inch iPad (non-Pro version), not only because of the more competitive price but because of the recent addition of support for the Apple pencil.
At first she was reluctant. Her main quibbles were being able to multitask more easily on a laptop, as well as having a proper keyboard. She also seemed to think that the iPad wouldn’t be as powerful — particularly to edit photos and videos for media courses.
Biting the bullet and shunning the laptop purchase some of her peers were making, we tested the iPad for the last six months. I’m happy to report that she is still happily using it.
This is as good a sign as any. Particularly with her important exams resting on the performance of the technology. Better still, is that the iPad slotted into how she worked without her even really noticing it. Like any good piece of technology, it’s faded into the background and has simply let her get on with study, where and when she wants to.
I quizzed her recently on how the iPad was doing. The big positives for here were how good it was at processing videos and pictures. Previously she would use a separate camera and import footage, but now she just films on the iPad itself then arranges things in iMovie.
We decided to test out an Apple Pencil with the iPad and I’m glad we did. I had thought this would be to add a creative angle to her work. It did this to some extent, but it was with note taking and revision that the pencil really came into its own. Marking up text and images with the pencil has become an integral way to how she revises now.
Being able to dock and use multiple apps at the same time has been another positive of the experience for her. She’ll often have Safari and the Notes apps open together and then draw images and text from one to the other, before then adding her own comments with the pencil.
Finally, not having to charge it too often is something she mentioned. Having had other tablets and devices that wouldn’t last long car journey’s the iPad’s longevity means that she takes it with her on trips. Of course this is for entertainment too, but I often catch her finishing off some notes or an essay while we are out and about.
Of course, there are things she’d like to see improved as well. The 9.7 inch iPad doesn’t have the smart connector for the integrated keyboard like the Pro models. We have a bluetooth keyboard but she often forgets to charge it. Happily then, the built in screen keyboard works well. In fact she’s found that she’s faster typing with the Swiftkey keyboard on her iPad now that she is with physical keys.
She’d also like a iPad sleeve to house both the pad and the pencil, like I have for my Pro, because she is always misplacing the pencil. I told her she just needs to keep her room tidier then she won’t lose things. We’re still debating that one.
Overall then, the 9.7 inch iPad has been a real success. It set me back considerably less than a laptop, and has enabled my daughter to focus on getting the work done, rather than getting the technology to work.
