Ryan Majeau Design

My earliest experience with computers in the classroom was Grade 2 with an Apple IIe. With a whopping 64 KB of RAM the computer really couldn’t do much more than play Number or Letter Munchers (which I did. a lot). The graphics were simple, but the programs did their job of teaching basic math and spelling skills.

Nowadays classroom technology has come a long way. Light years even. Not just with computers but now devices like the iPad are popping up in classrooms everywhere. They are capable of doing everything, like surfing the web, reading eBooks, watching videos—what can’t it do?

If the Apple IIe and the iPad2 were to go head to head, here’s how they’d match up.

Apple IIe

Processor:
– 6502 or 65C02 running at 1.023 MHz

Memory:
– 64 KB RAM built-in
(Expandable up to 1 MB RAM or more)

Display:
– Apple Monitor II – 12″ monochrome CRT. High-Resolution: 280×192 (6 colors)

Connectivity:
Internal
– Game I/O socket (16-pin DIP)
– RF modulation output (4-pin Molex)
– Numeric keypad (11-pin Molex)
External
– NTSC composite video output (RCA connector)
– Cassette in/out (two 1⁄8-inch mono phono jacks)
– Joystick (DE-9)

Apple iPad2

Processor:
– Apple A5 running at 1 GHz

Memory:
– 512 MB DDR2 RAM[15]

Display:
– 9.7 in (25 cm) LED-backlit
– 1024×768px 132ppi

Connectivity:
– Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
– Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
– GSM models also include: UMTS / HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)GSM / EDGE(850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

I don’t know about you but kids these days have it great. Classroom technology is fun, exciting and really increases the learning potential for your students. Has you embraced technology in the classroom?