[android] Google Play for Education

[Arthur]

I like the sound of this.

 

Source: The Verge

 

Google just announced a new initiative to put Android tablets in schools and take on Apple on turf it has dominated for years, and its calling it Google Play for Education. It's a custom app store filled with curated apps specifically for students and educators. Developers can start submitting apps this summer, and the store will launch this fall — possibly in time for the next school year. It requires all students to have a Google accounts, and teachers can then pick an app and install it across all of the classroom's tablets. The store itself will be sorted by grade level and subject matter. Google's Chris Yerga also mentioned that Google was making it easier and cheaper to get Android tablets in schools, but there were otherwise no details on how Google will solve the longstanding problem of getting expensive hardware out to students. We do know that Google is already testing Google Play for Education in schools ahead of its planned fall rollout.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Rr9fjxE.jpg

[caffrey]

Was interesting, even the app rollout sounds great if it works.

[Arthur]

Here's a link to the Google Play Education part of the Google I/O keynote (

)...

 

 

[Arthur]

You'll also be able to distribute eBooks to Android devices by uploading ePub or PDF files, so this could potentially replace Kindle's in schools too.

 

Play for Education also makes use of Google+ groups, so schools and universities can quickly push apps, books and other content out to their students and even bill to one central account. A pilot program for the service has already been underway with six New Jersey schools. Despite Google making the service official today, the actual sign-up window for general access won't be until sometime later this fall. However, developers can start submitting their applications right now. (Source)

 

http://i.imgur.com/4h0wYyZ.png

[SovietRussia]

Apparently the management will be much better, signed up for a preview

[CyberNerd]

Says it's done via Google+ groups. Last time I looked users had to be aged 13+ essentially meaning KS4,KS5 only.

[SovietRussia]

Very interesting though, maybe Apple are planning the same for education... *hopes*

[Arthur]

[mac_shinobi]

Oooooooooo aaaahhhhhh

[Arthur]

Google Play for Education is now available in the US. Hopefully the UK isn't far behind.

 

Introducing Tablets with Google Play for Education « Google Enterprise Blog

 

Schools can choose from three classroom ready tablet options: Nexus 7 (a 7” tablet) available today, and the ASUS Transformer Pad (a 10” tablet) or the HP Slate 8 Pro (an 8” tablet), both available early next year. Schools can set up a classroom of tablets in minutes with a few simple taps. Just hold the administrator tablet together with the student tablet to set up each device quickly. Tablets with Google Play for Education are built on Google Apps for Education so students use their Google accounts to log in seamlessly. Tablet pricing starts at $229 and management is $30 per tablet.

 

www.google.com/edu/tablets/

 

Edited November 13, 2013 by Arthur

[Arthur]

Google Play for Education comes to Chromebooks « Official Enterprise Blog

 

Google Play for Education started with tablets, but teachers told us they wanted to use it to find apps, books, and videos for Chromebooks too. So today we’re expanding Google Play for Education to US K-12 Chromebook schools.

 

If you’re a domain administrator managing Chromebooks, visit play.google.com/edu to turn on Google Play for Education. Enable by July 15 and we’ll send you a $20 credit for your school to use on paid books and other content purchases. If you’re an education developer for Chrome or Android interested in participating in Google Play for Education, learn how to get your app included.

 

If you're coming to the ISTE conference this weekend, check out the sessions in our teaching theater at booth 2414, which include more information on the expansion of Google Play for Education. Stay tuned for more information next week on this blog, at ISTE, and by following #googleedu.

 

[DMcCoy]

yay, another thing we can't have for *ages*.

[Arthur]

Perhaps @Dos_Box, @ZeroHour or @Ric_ could find out when Google Play for Education will be available in the UK since they will all be going to the ISTE conference.