From what I understand, the iPad has had substantial impact in how certain students with special needs are taught. It enables communication with some low functioning students who otherwise could not communicate due to impairments.<p>Remember computers are not just limited to educating students about computers -- they can function as alternatives to pencil and paper in some cases. For example, they can help students compose papers who otherwise would not be able to write (a student might have a disorder that interferes with the ability to translate thoughts&#x2F;words into handwriting motion, but otherwise the student might be perfectly capable of composing sentences and logical thoughts -- so dictation is groundbreaking.) They can also help teachers explore understanding of concepts in a way that&#x27;s uncoupled from traditional representations -- for example letting students answer questions by pointing at pictures instead of speaking.<p>I don&#x27;t really know the full extent of it, but from special education teachers I know, the iPad seems to have become an essential tool because it makes these alternative interactions so much easier than they were before.