Recently 60 Minutes in the USA broadcast an article on the iPad and the significant opportunities it was presenting to children diagnosed with ASD. It heralded the arrival of a device that seemed to capture their attention and then helped them demonstrate their learning and in some cases communicate.
Throughout the article there were references to the lack of understanding by parents, teachers and journalists, as to why the iPad was so successful. This struck me as being strange as it made me ask myself if I was the only one who could see clearly many reasons why an iPad could be successful in connecting with those children.
I should make it clear that this is entirely my opinion with no evidence to back it up. However I am a software developer and a parent. I have seen both my children quickly adapt to the iPad, my youngest knowing her way round an iPhone before she was 2 years old. I feel I can make educated guesses on this subject.
Why is the iPad different?
PCs have been around for decades now, tablet computers too. Putting computers to use in education isn’t new either. Many solutions have been tried and failed. Why now? Why the iPad?
The iPad has achieved sufficient performance in three critical factors to make the tablet idea work. The iPad delivers significant power to run complex and engaging applications, it is very easy to use and is priced in a way to make it affordable to families and schools.
The significant of the three is the iPad’s ease of use. As a device it is portable enough to be positioned in front of children as easily as a book. The iPad can be used in the classroom without requiring the room to be arranged to accommodate it. It can be used at the appropriate time and packed away in a moment. This has to be a better experience than trying to position students in front of a desktop computer. It is not needlessly intrusive on the content of the class and can be used in any class not just those run in computer rooms.
Once the student is faced with an iPad its incredibly intuitive interface makes it quick to learn without much instruction. It’s visual and tactile interface mean basic fine motor skills are all that is required to operate it.
Elements on the screen of the iPad are much more like real world concepts than traditional computer interfaces. Users touch an icon to start an application. In the real world this is similar to the concept of pressing a button which children would have been exposed to and be familiar with. To count objects requires that each one be touched, this is the same action as counting objects in the real world. Add to this the motion and sound detection and engaging, intuitive application become possible.
To demonstrate to yourself the learning curve and instruction previously needed to use a PC, try explaining how to use a mouse to someone who has never used a computer!
Why did the children on 60 Minutes take to the iPad?
Quite simply, the iPad is a great sensory experience that can be placed in front of a child. Given that with a few seconds of exploration the child can be rewarded by it responding to their interaction, it is not surprising that many children would be motivated to pay attention to it. The rapid learning curve makes it easy for a child to then master the interaction so that they can pay no attention to using the device but instead be absorbed by the content.
So far this is true for any child not just those with ASD. It is my belief that the fluent control of the iPad that a child with ASD can quickly gain, without having to be instructed or ask for assistance that is new. Now a child that doesn’t seem to communicate can learn to use an iPad without the need to interact with others.
I feel a cautionary tale is necessary here to avoid being carried away by this enchanting tool. Just because the iPad is easy to use does not mean that it will be used productively. For example, when my daughter was only one year old she would play on my iPhone (very similar to an iPad). I found if I wasn’t watching her she would open every application on the phone in turn but not actually use any of them. This demonstrates the need for good applications to utilise the opportunities the iPad presents.
Why should the iPad be so good for educational use?
The iPad should be a good educational tool because of the relative ease and low cost of software development and distribution. Apple have achieved an incredible way for software developers to put their software to market with the AppStore. The booming community in iOS application developers should mean there is no shortage of developers. The limiting factor is going to be the awareness of teachers and institutions to how easy it is to translate their ideas and requirements into applications. What remains is for software developers and educators to communicate to develop these ideas. Unfortunately these are two groups that seldom meet.
Software Development 