iPod, iPhone, and now iPad: The evolution of multimedia access in a mobile teaching context

The problem presented in this poster session is “How can a multimedia database be easily used as a teaching tool in the classroom?” This poster presents the iPad as a mobile handheld delivery tool for multimedia database components. Teaching strategies which utilize the iPad as a teaching tool benefit from several key affordances over previous iPod generations: easy of interaction (touch screen), increased screen size, controllable multimedia playback, significant volume, and various data collection capabilities. The teaching strategy described in this poster is the leading of mobile small group demonstrations using finely controlled multimedia playback. An overview of the process required to easily create a multimedia database on an iPad is presented as a critical component of successful use. This poster session describes a specific application of the iPad in the classroom and further research needs to explore iPad data collection capabilities to extend the use into other educational contexts.