Apple targets schools with the ‘affordable’ iPad, featuring digital Pencil support

TECH giant Apple is making a play to become a revolutionary force in the classroom with its new student-friendly iPad. But is the updated model really all it’s cracked up to be?

NOTEBOOKS, pens, lunch, and iPad.

Technology giant Apple is making a play to become an essential ingredient in school bags after unveiling a student-friendly version of its tablet computer in Chicago overnight and new ways for teachers to assign homework inside apps rather than books.

However, Apple’s new product is no cheaper than the last model, and will set parents back at least $469, or $614 with its digital Pencil.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook revealed its new school-focused products at Chicago’s Lane Tech College Prep School, telling an audience including 300 teachers that the company had big plans for schools.

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces Apple's new iPad during an event in Chicago. Picture: Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP

“Technology has an important role to play in the classroom,” Mr Cook said.

“We’ve been at this for 40 years and we care deeply for education.

“We know our products can help bring out he creative genius in every kid.”

Apple’s new classroom-friendly iPad will offer many of the same features as Apple’s existing 9.7-inch tablet computer, including the same form and sensors, though it will let users write on the screen using Apple’s Pencil for the first time, and add a faster computer chip to let students create digital books and augmented reality apps.

Apple marketing vice-president Greg Joswiak said the augmented reality apps could let students do everything from inspecting famous artwork up close to learning biology without harming amphibians.

Apple’s vice-president of product marketing, Greg Joswiak, talks up the new iPad. Picture: Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP

“Instead of dissecting a frog, which can have serious implications for the frog, students can dissect a virtual frog with the Apple Pencil,” Mr Joswiak said.

Apple also revealed a new app called Schoolwork, due in June, in which teachers could assign students homework inside apps rather than worksheets or textbooks, eliminating paper altogether.

The new student-friendly iPads will not be any cheaper than its current tablet computers, however, starting at $469 and costing as much as $799 in Australia, in addition to the $145 Apple Pencil.

Kids across the globe could soon be using iPads as a major school tool. Picture: Justin Brierty

Schools will be able to purchase the new iPad at a $30 discount.

Australians bought 1.65 million tablet computers in the last six months of 2017, according to the Australian Tablet Computer Market Study to be released by research firm Telsyte, almost half of which were Apple iPads. But tablet sales only increased by one per cent over the past year and Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said more technology makers would target students to recruit a new audience.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company had “an important role to play” in the classroom. Picture: Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP

“We’re now seeing one of the main user groups of tablets being children for both entertainment and education purposes,” he said.

“It makes a lot of sense for Apple to have a product that is designed specifically for that market. And a young iPad user might become an iPhone user in future.”

Mr Fadaghi said other Apple buyers could also use the opportunity to buy similarly priced, advanced tablet computers, rather than waiting for older models to be replaced and discounted.

Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson travelled to Chicago as a guest of Apple.

Originally published as Apple targets schools with the ‘affordable’ iPad, featuring digital Pencil support