The term “Hackacademic” can be understood in several ways, but for the purposes of this explanation, I’m using it to refer to practical shortcuts, strategies, and small tools that make academic work easier.
In my own professional life, the majority of my time is spent either teaching or preparing instructional materials. When I purchased an iPad, my intention was to see whether it could effectively replace my laptop during classroom presentations. After experimenting with it, I discovered a number of useful tips that other instructors who rely on an iPad for teaching might appreciate.
To use an iPad as your primary lecturing device, there are a few items you’ll need to buy:
- Mobile Keynote, priced at roughly $10, which allows you to create and display presentation slides.
- An iPad VGA adapter, usually around $30, which connects the device to a classroom projector.
- Perfect Browser, an app available on iTunes for about $3, which functions similarly to Safari but includes one critical enhancement: it can project websites through the VGA connection, something Safari itself does not support.
However, there are some important restrictions to keep in mind:
- Standard PowerPoint files cannot be projected directly, and video content will only display if it is placed inside a Keynote presentation.
- Safari cannot broadcast web pages through the projector, which is why Perfect Browser is necessary if you want to show online material during a lecture.
In short, with the right combination of inexpensive apps and accessories, an iPad can become a highly functional teaching tool—though you’ll need to work within its limitations and adjust your presentation materials accordingly.