This is the first in a short series of blog posts offering reflections and tips about the iPad (and tablet computing in general).

I got my first iPad about a year ago. And, while I’ve been away from classroom teaching for more years than I’ll admit to, I will say this: the iPad (I have the 2) changed my life -- on both the business and personal fronts.

Because of its portability, I find that I carry it to far more places, and more easily, than I did my laptop. I use a desktop in the office and have a laptop in my home work space, but since Paddy came into my life (oh, yes, he does too have a name!), the times I’ve used my laptop in the last year could be counted on the fingers of no more than two hands.

To top it off, because of the breadth and easily accessible apps (more on those in a subsequent post), life on the computer just became so much faster and easier.

So, you just got yours... what should you do?

Let me start with one “do NOT” item first.

Do NOT go off and take a very generic “How To Use Your iPad” class. If you’re like I am, and you probably are because you’re a teacher, your first inclination will be to go find a class. Resist the urge to do this. This little baby is intuitive and so fun; you need to just turn it on and play. Don’t worry about getting everything right.

Just tap, point, and swipe and see what happens. Play first.

Come on... if the little babe can handle the thing, you ought to be able to, right?

ACTION ITEMS: Here are some specific things you might try to get you up to speed quickly, once you’ve done a bit of wandering around.

1. HAVE FUN, Part 1. If you enjoy movies and already have a Netflix account, get the free Netflix app and take your iPad to your favorite location and watch a movie. The resolution is superb. (Note, to do this you’ll learn how to find the apps -- in the App Store -- and you’ll learn how to find and download an app, Netflix in this case). No bonus points deducted if you take Paddy to bed with you.

2. HAVE FUN, Part 2. Don’t have Netflix? Then try the app from your local cable provider. With my provider (Brighthouse Networks), they offer a free app so I can watch any of my cable channels within wi-fi distance of my home system. Great for the back yard when I want to watch a ball game.

3. LEARN SOME COOL STUFF, Part 1. Get the TED app and watch some of the most amazing presentations on the planet. Don’t know TED? Check it out here: http://www.ted.com/. Yes, you can watch TED on your PC, but somehow the presenters always seem so much cleverer when I’m watching in a local cafe.

4. LEARN SOME COOL STUFF, Part 2. Check with your local library and see if they are offering e-books that you can check out. You’ll likely need the Kindle app (yes, it’s true... you can read Kindle books on your iPad), but that’s free too. How cool is this? Library books straight to your iPad.

That’s it for now -- get a couple of apps, and play, play, play.

Over to you. What do YOU suggest for the teacher sporting a new iPad? Give it to me in the Comments section below.