This student does not amaze me either. What does amaze me is the fact that such attitudes are tolerated by the schools. Circuit (pattern) operations using electronic devices is not in the syllabus and should have been metaphorically kicked out of the student long before 45 hours.
The fact that it took some discussion/persuasion to leave the iPad behind indicates that the student has little respect for instructors.
This is the reason we have half baked pilots, apprentices, business leaders, politicians, etc. they want to start at the top and know it all.
I am not an instructor but if I were I would refuse to teach such morons. In which case I would probably not pass the FI course, nor be employed as one.
Just my opinion, cos I'm too bloody old fashioned.