Apple’s iPad looks like it’s going to be a cool new gadget. I’m really tempted to get one and load all my books into it. It would save a lot of space and that’s a good thing because my house is very small.
There are lots of ways the iPad could change the way we learn, too;
- People could develop interactive textbooks with comprehension questions that pop up as you read.
- We could embed video and sound in textbooks to practise all aspects of a language in one place.
- Books could link to real-life examples of the language in context on the Internet.
- Developers could build aspects integrating touch and bold graphics to appeal to kinaesthetic and visual learners.
- You could take all this with you wherever you go!
Of course, a lot of this (other than touch) is achievable on current computers. The difference with a tablet style device is that it is more intimate. You can practise in bed, on the couch or wherever you feel most comfortable.
For a lot of students I’ve met, feeling comfortable speaking English is one of the most important steps towards becoming fluent. Being comfortable with a language starts with learning it in a situation where you already feel comfortable.
If you associate English with being stretched out on your couch at home, when it comes time to speak it in real life, you will feel a lot more comfortable speaking than if you associate English with sitting in a classroom answering the teacher’s questions.
I guess I’d better start saving now!