12yo needs an Ipad for school?

[Saeleofu]

I think that's a bit over the top, most math still needs to be written in long hand. We likely will continue print.

What math NEEDS to be written out long hand? To learn the process behind it, sure. But there are programs and devices that allow you to write by hand into a computer. I had a very old Clio several years ago that could do that, and that was old (VERY OLD) technology then.

Most math I do anymore is done either on a calculator for the sake of speed, or types into an equation in Excel. And some of those are very long, complicated things to do without using Excel. My last 3 statistics classes have been 100% on the computer using Excel and SPSS/PASW. For these things there simply is no reason to learn to do it by hand because when you're doing research, you are not going to sit there for hours on end doing calculations by hand when you could do it on the computer in 2 minutes and get more reliable results (less chance for human error, though still not completely eliminated).

I have never taken a calculus class (and never intend to) but I imagine even for that there are programs to do the calculations. And if there isn't, we get back to handwriting on a tablet/touch screen. I do think pens and paper will be obsolete, but I don't think handwriting (print) itself will be.

Also, FWIW, I was taught to use "home keys" and all that other crap when I leanred to type in elementary school. I don't use that at ALL anymore, and I type in excess of 75 wpm. I type as I feel comfortable typing, and sometimes it looks awful, but it gets the job done and gets it done quickly.

[CaliTerp07]

Sure, you could use a tablet and stylus to write out the equations by hand...but that's still handwriting, it's just using electronic paper instead of a spiral notebook.

[smkie]

What if the school provides it, and your child breaks it?I have a girl that has broken more dishes in the last year then all her years put together. She said "my elbow did it, I didn't!" I was truly amazed her laptop made it two years before she cracked the screen. THere is no replacing it, I can't. I would be petrified if the school sent something like that home for her at this age. I have had to put away the best of my good dishes that I made until she outgrows this stage. I am truly hoping that is going to happen.

[crazedACD]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

Also, FWIW, I was taught to use "home keys" and all that other crap when I leanred to type in elementary school. I don't use that at ALL anymore, and I type in excess of 75 wpm. I type as I feel comfortable typing, and sometimes it looks awful, but it gets the job done and gets it done quickly.

I just took a WPM test, got 78.3..and I'm on a laptop with the D and the G missing. Haha..I don't use 'home keys' either...I'm just really familiar with the keyboard.

[sparks19]

Yeah and I wouldn't be sending a kid to school with a tablet. It is likely to get stolen if it doesn't get broken first

[Xandra]

For first year math here we do most homework online (something called Webwork) which makes you answer it eg (sqrt(5^(-3)*3)+84)/20 blah blah blah. That's just entering the answer though.

For anything that requires showing your work... which you can do with a computer, but is way easier by hand.

[smkie]

I just had to fish Hyia's cell phone that she now has to have on her at all times from the storm drain. IT required the fireplace shovel, a long arm, and a lot of luck. I would have a heart attack if she had to take something like an ipad back and forth.

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by crazedACD

I just took a WPM test, got 78.3..and I'm on a laptop with the D and the G missing. Haha..I don't use 'home keys' either...I'm just really familiar with the keyboard.

My "i" is missing. It still works just fine, the cap's just missing. And every few months my spacebar goes wonky and likes to put 347654532 spaces between and within words lol.

Also I had to take a typing test now and it was 79 wpm lol.

[JacksonsMom]

Originally Posted by smkie

I just had to fish Hyia's cell phone that she now has to have on her at all times from the storm drain. IT required the fireplace shovel, a long arm, and a lot of luck. I would have a heart attack if she had to take something like an ipad back and forth.

I guess it would just depend on the kid too. I mean, my 8 almost 9 year old brother has an iPhone (I know, ridiculous, my dads company gets them for free) and he's always been extremely responsible with it. I think the most he did once was leave it in my dads truck (on the inside) and it was missing for like 5 hours before we realized where it was. If he was allowed to take it to school, I have no doubt he would be fine with it, and most likely keep it in a certain spot in his book bag.

[Xandra]

Originally Posted by JacksonsMom

I guess it would just depend on the kid too. I mean, my 8 almost 9 year old brother has an iPhone (I know, ridiculous, my dads company gets them for free) and he's always been extremely responsible with it. I think the most he did once was leave it in my dads truck (on the inside) and it was missing for like 5 hours before we realized where it was. If he was allowed to take it to school, I have no doubt he would be fine with it, and most likely keep it in a certain spot in his book bag.

haha that's better than me, in the past 3 months I've put mine through the dryer and left it on a city bus...

and I don't think it's silly for a kid to have an iphone... I mean it's a simple camera, has lots of games, good for emergency contact... eh if you can afford it (or they're free, lucky bum!) then why not?

BTW your Oregon Trail is incredibly old school, the one we played looked like this: