” File this one under the ‘why didn’t I think of that’ category. There’s a new easel available that lets you place and securely hold an Apple iPad and then use it however you wish. It’s a great tool for artists, art class, students who need to try approaching something at a different angle, or basically anyone looking to get a bit more hands-on with their iPad with a little less neck strain.

The Kids Drawing Easel for iPad from CTA Digital is listed as being ‘designed for all drawing apps’ but I could easily see this being used for many other classroom activities aside from drawing. For example, the iPad could live on the easel and be used for Skype conversations. Students could have it at a good level for optimal viewing of the Skype chat while they get their hands dirty doing something else. Project-based learning perhaps? The only limit is your imagination in my opinion.

The other side of the Kids Drawing Easel is a dry-erase whiteboard (not IWB) that could be used for, well, anything. You could have a ‘sign out’ sheet on the whiteboard side where students can self-select times that they want to use the iPad easel. That way you could have your very own iPad-based learning center that has its own scheduling system. A great idea for any teacher who has students that finish quizzes early, get distracted, or simply need a place to be a bit more creative. This way they can have all that but you don’t have to clean up any big mess.

The Easel comes with art supplies for kids to get creative right out of the box. A large crayon-like stylus for the iPad allows children to easily draw and color with their favorite apps. A dry-erase marker is also included and very easy to wipe away with its built-in eraser cap for erasing small areas and a larger eraser is also included to easily clear the whole board. These and other art supplies can be stored in the included art supply tray, which can be attached to either side of the easel.”

Read more from Jeff Dunn about the easel for iPad on Edudemic.