As back-to-school season gains momentum, technology is at or near the top of many shopping lists. Laptop sales overtook those of desktops last year for the first time, and now smart phones, e-readers and the new iPad are seen as the next instructional tools. No matter what online access path is chosen, all sorts of apps and mobile technologies can help with studying and class projects.

The iPad touch-screen tablet introduced this year draws interest from parents, educators and tech reviewers. It's light (1.5 pounds) and students can use a wireless keyboard or iPad Keyboard Dock for book reports, term papers or other assignments. Apple sells more than 1 million a month, and it's first among the Top 5 tech items for this school year ranked by CNET, a popular tech site (see video below). Dozens of education apps are geared to all subjects and grades, and include some for special-needs pupils or for evaluating college choices.
Districts also embrace the tablet as an alternative to traditional computers. In North Adams, Mass., the public schools used a state grant to buy 16 iPads and develop online courses for those who fail a high school class. Instead of repeating the course or attending summer school, teens study via the iPad and meet for a half-hour each week with a teacher-mentor. "They're the wave of the future," the system superintendent says of iPads. "It's cutting-edge technology." At a higher level, students receive iPads this fall at Seton Hill University in Greensburgh, Pa., and at Stanford School of Medicine in California. Other colleges are testing the device in pilot programs.

Smart phone and iPad users can choose from an array of free or cheap apps that help students at any age. Math Trainer for Blackberry ($2.99) can be set at elementary, middle or high school levels. Capital Quiz for Android is a 79-cent geography game. Sentence Builder for iPad ($2.99) reinforces grammar lessons. Star Walk for iPhone ($2.99) and iPad ($4.99) teaches about astronomy while looking at the night sky.

Student says: "This [iPad] is a perfect tool for what I need to do. . . I probably won't use my laptop in class anymore." -- Stesha Doku, Stanford medical student

Educator says: "Technology does assist kids who think school is boring. It goes right into their hands." -- Michael Mangini, computer systems manager for Cranford (N.J.) School District

Blogger says: "If when I was in high school I had been handed an iPad, I would never have skipped a class again." -- Alex Wilhelm at thenextweb.com