When the iPad is plugged in, you select it in iTunes under the Devices list at the left. At the top of the page you will see several links (Summary, Info, Apps, etc). Select Apps to see the iPad desktop you were talking about.
Changes to what folders the iPad syncs can be found under Photos. You can not change the name of the folders/albums there. The folder names must be changed directly on the computer. Then go back to the Photos section in iTunes and make sure that the newly named folders are still selected (if you are using the selected folders option.)