Which case should I get for my iPad Air?

I am currently on my fourth iPad, the first Air model. Because I work in public education, it is a general rule that teachers and school leaders are at least one iteration behind the most current technology offered. But I shouldn't complain - the iPad Air in any version has been a great upgrade. It is considerably lighter and more powerful than its predecessors.

Source: Mike Lee, Flickr

Here are four cases I would recommend for your iPad Air, depending on how you plan to use it:

If you use your iPad Air primarily for content creation...

I recommend the Targus Custom Fit 360° with stylus. The case allows the user to rotate their iPad to landscape or portrait positions. Very nice for switching between writing and reading a document, as well as for any creativity apps that naturally rotate for game play.

If you use your iPad Air primarily with students in the classroom...

I recommend Big Grips. Don't let the bulkiness scare you off. The thick foam sides are perfect for little kids who tend to drop things more often. iPads screens tend to crack at the corners, and these cases protect these areas very well. The stands make for easy storage. There are different versions of Big Grips with various thickness levels, depending on the age of the students. One note of caution: Be sure to purchase headphones with straight jacks, not elbow shaped.

If you use your iPad Air primarily for typing and word processing...

While I recommend the Zagg Folio for a variety of reasons (ease of pairing keyboard with iPad Air, protection against damage, backlit keyboard for night time work), I do not recommend using the iPad Air for heavy typing. The iPad Air is really not designed for this kind of work. If you write and blog often, you are better off getting a laptop in addition to your tablet.

If you use your iPad Air primarily for reading and for interacting on social media...

The Apple Smart Case is my choice. This is my main purpose for using my iPad Air. I use iBooks and the Kindle app to read eBooks, Goodreader for annotating articles and manuscripts, and Flipboard for staying current on social media posts and news. While the case itself does not provide any protection for the shell, it does close smoothly along the glass with the help of magnets. The ability to quickly take off the Smart Case is very helpful when wanting to take a photo or video, a challenge with the other cases mentioned.

Which case do you have for your iPad Air? Why did you buy it? Please share in the comments.