When Apple released the iPad for the first time in April of 2010, it introduced a new style of computing to the public. It took the tablet computer from a niche specific tool to a mainstream audience who quickly embraced its simplicity and ease-of-use. Subsequent sales of 3 million units in its first 80 days served as confirmation that the iPad had arrived.Now a recent Forbes article has reported that projected sales of the original iPad could reach upwards of 45 million in 2011. With such a large amount of iPads in the hands of learners, the question is raised: how does this impact the future of eLearning? Will we see the iPad be as disruptive as the computer when it was first introduced? These questions can only be answered with time, but there are already early indications that the iPad can, indeed, be a game-changer in both the classroom and the workplace. With unofficial estimates of iPad sales this year reaching 7.5 million units and both businesses and schools implementing them into their workflows, the iPad stands to become a widespread medium in the future of eLearning as an intuitive, portable device capable of quickly displaying and providing content to the user.

The impact of the iPad and tablet computing on the eLearning world can be felt in a number of ways. The size and slenderness of the iPad makes it easy to interact with and very portable. The touch screen offers intuitive interactivity with no need for peripherals like a mouse or keyboard and therefore saves valuable space. And the next version of the iPad is already said to be receiving some valuable enhancements such as an improved HD ‘Retina’ display, a camera, a micro or mini USB port for connectivity with other displays, scanners, or printers, and a boost in memory capacity up to 128 gigabytes. In schools, a classroom full of students with pre-loaded iPads can easily follow the instructor 

and learn through educational games and simulations. In businesses, the ease-of-use and portability make iPads valuable tools in training, instruction, and the remote viewing and reviewing of content. In addition to being able to display HD video, the iPad has video-out as well, so an instructor can display presentations from the iPad alone.  


With the early widespread adoption of the iPad and tablet computers, Trivantis seized the opportunity to take the lead in the development of eLearning content for this medium. With the upcoming release of Lectora X.4, creating, cultivating, and delivering content to the iPad is made incredibly easy. While the lack of Flash functionality on the iPad may often be considered one of its weaknesses, Lectora X.4 makes this a non-issue with its ability to encode course videos in an iPad acceptable format straight out of the program when the course is published. Anyone from novice to pro can now develop more engaging content without having to worry about the restrictions of the platform it will be implemented on. And contrary to many eLearning tools which create content that is fully Flash based, Lectora X.4 is versatile, utilizing HTML 5 to allow widespread viewing of Lectora-created courses across all mobile and tablet devices. Once again as the technology has enhanced and developed, Lectora has improved to meet the demands.   



As the iPad becomes more refined, evolved, and widely adopted, its impact in the eLearning world will resonate through all aspects. From early education to universities to businesses and in the training room, the size, simplicity, and intuitiveness of these devices make it a prime tool in the dispersing of information. By embracing this new platform so early in its growth, Trivantis, and Lectora X.4, has cemented itself at the forefront of mobile and tablet eLearning development for years to come.

Chaske Haverkos is part of the Custom Development Services team. In addition to custom course development, he is also a graphic designer at Trivantis. Chaske has a degree in Digital Design from the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program.