The iPad can be an amazing classroom TOOL... Yes it is a device but really the point of the iPad in the classroom is to be a tool just like a projector, a calculator, whiteboard, and so forth. Which means it is meant to be used to CREATE and INNOVATE. 

It is not about the actual device as much as it is about using what the device can do. When asked "why an iPad" many educators will reference the large array of content APPS such as e-books and information available. Or they will talk about the ability to give students videos to watch. Both of these are great content provides and allow the student to be a consumer of information. However, what is less often mentioned is the creation options the iPad can provide students. 

Our goal as educators needs to be focused on that general statement of "engaging students". Even more importantly we need to help our students understand how to ask questions, think critically, create, and innovate. Through innovative creative projects students are learning to search and find information, then critically evaluate that information, and ultimately produce a product that demonstrates their learning and though process along the way. 

The iPad, when integrated effectively, can provide students the platform to be the producer of high quality creation. Frequently when approaching an iPad activity, educators ask their technology integration specialist or tech coaches, "What APP do I need?" or "How to I ___ with an iPad?". The thing is, there are 1000s of APP available to chose from and if you ask 10 tech specialist you most likely will get 8 to 10 different APP recommendations. However today at the Ed Tech Teacher sponsored iPad Summit in Boston, I was shown a link to a great resource list on APP and when they are best used.  

Ed Tech Teacher Co-Founder, Tom Daccord explained it very clearly. If you know what you want your students to produce, if you know your learning objectives, or you know your desired end results, then you can find the right APPs. Their resource page is beautifully designed to work with those goal or outcome statements of "I want my kids to ____." From the link to their APP resource page you can select an outcome statement to find helpful in identifying APPs that your students can use to reach that desired end result through a student-centric creation.

Check it out: http://edtechteacher.org/index.php/teaching-technology/mobile-technology-apps/ipad-as