Jobos Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 We're getting this software for the foundation stage and have had the trial running for a week on iPods and iPhones. Like you would expect owing to the small screen size it's not easy seeing what your doing so we're looking at getting something bigger. I've not used the software myself but if I were using it I would like a 10" screen like the iPad has. What devices have people found to work best with 2Build? I understand there needs to be a trade off with size and budgets but if it makes your eyes hurt price shouldn't come into it.
Bompalompalomp Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 We use them for Reception on iPad 2s. However, the software is iPhone only, so it's the blown up ported version on the iPads. Definitely nicer for the eyes though, and I've had no complaints.
sparkeh Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 All I'll say is avoid the Android version like the plague.
stevenlong1985 Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 I got 5 ipad Mini 2 here infront of me. Its more a of a nightmare setting them up. Setting up an Itunes account requires a credit card to get access to the app store (there is a work around) and because the of Birmingham Proxy server, apps have to be install via desktop (itunes) and cannot be done over the wifi
Jobos Posted September 3, 2014 Author Posted September 3, 2014 All I'll say is avoid the Android version like the plague. I know 2Simple don't list many android tablets that are compatible with 2build a profile but I would love to know what problems you have been having?
sparkeh Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 (edited) I know 2Simple don't list many android tablets that are compatible with 2build a profile but I would love to know what problems you have been having? Well we went for the Galaxy Tab 2 7" 8GB as listed on their site (against my advice I hasten to add). The tablets are lovely but its clear that 2Build a Profile is an iOS app that has been hastily ported to Android without too much testing. The app keeps crashing with mysterious error messages that support don't seem to be able to help with or you just get the "2Build a Profile has stopped working" message from Android. The main issue is just how slow the app is. Its fine to start with but the major problem is that everytime you move to a page with thumbnails of the pictures taken for evidence, it loads every single picture for the selected date range again, very slowly. And you can't do anything until all the pics are loaded. As you take more pictures the problem gets worse. You can get round this by only looking at narrow date ranges so not many pics load but its not good. We had someone from 2Simple out to have a look but they couldn't really help. For some reason the FS teachers are persevering with it but its a struggle. Edited September 3, 2014 by sparkeh 1
Jobos Posted September 8, 2014 Author Posted September 8, 2014 Would you believe it! I've just been handed 6 Hudls to setup despite warning them off android. First hurdle is getting round the initial setup which doesn't give the option to enter a proxy.
Joanne Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 Gutted. Hudls aren't the best android tablets out there. We have the trial running on ipad mini's.
sparkeh Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 Would you believe it! I've just been handed 6 Hudls to setup despite warning them off android. First hurdle is getting round the initial setup which doesn't give the option to enter a proxy. I feel for you... Gutted. Hudls aren't the best android tablets out there. We have the trial running on ipad mini's. Be interested to know how you get on. If it works well I am going to recommend biting the bullet swapping to iPads.
Joanne Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 I got an e-mail today saying the trial was over... sooooo, need to ask really. I know there were a couple of annoying bugs that the staff were contending with. It's a lot of money to pay, but I guess if it saves them time in the long run, it's worth it. I'll have a walk down now and find out what they thought. Think they only used it for a week or so before the holidays. Might try and get an extension!
sparkeh Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 Funny just having a chat with the new FS coordinator about this very thing. She can't believe how dreadful it is. Looks like we might be getting an iPad to test it out on now.
Joanne Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 Yeah, get a mini. Sub £200 and more portable.
bitznpcz Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 I use iPad mini's for this in several schools and it works perfectly. Tried the iPad 2, but it's too big for the teachers to carry around and they miss good photo opportunities! 2
eean Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 We took out a subscription to it but decided not to use it. The features are very limited: it doesn't really do assessment, the iPad app is actually an iPhone app, the only way to get the profiles out is to email PDFs. Having researched some alternatives, we have decided to try Tapestry. It is intuitive, offers ability to work on the iPad and the web, has full assessment features and creates a learning journey that parents can view online and even contribute to (if you wish). Plus it's cheaper. http://eyfs.info/tapestry-info/introduction#overview 2
edutech4schools Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 All I'll say is avoid the Android version like the plague. most of my primary schools use this on android and we have never had any issues. Most have Galaxy tab 8inch but they all seem very reliable.
sparkeh Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 most of my primary schools use this on android and we have never had any issues. Most have Galaxy tab 8inch but they all seem very reliable. You must tell me your secret, even the 2Simple guys couldn't get it working properly??
Joanne Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 could be ANYTHING. Version on android, other apps interfering etcs...
edutech4schools Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 You must tell me your secret, even the 2Simple guys couldn't get it working properly?? Must be my techie super powers that magically fixes items whenever I enter the room that definitely did not work. 1
vikpaw Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 Looking at 2Build a Profile - can anyone tell me if the app works offline? Does it link to your MIS?
bitznpcz Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 I know it links to classroom monitor not sure of any MIS it links to... Does work offline and syncs when linked to WiFi 1
eean Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 It's pretty terrible and there's not a lot to link. The only data it records is number of observations. Tapestry is much more sophisticated and you can import and export data with UPNs. But it doesn't work offline. Also check out Interactive Learning Diary. 1
vikpaw Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 I thought it did all the observations and then uploads to their website. I'm presuming the app displays the teacher's list of students, and this comes from the MIS. We're looking at Early Essence from FDS, but it's taking ages to get setup, so been asked to look around and what else is out there. I believe Classroom Monitor also has a recording facility, but i got confused when it said it can take observations from 2Build, so i'm not too sure what CM does - i've already heard from them, just waiting on more clarification.
kidpressingbuttons Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 Each of our 5 early years classes has 1 or 2 pre owned iPod touches purely for 2build. As ours use them outside we decided to use preowned. Each staff member in our school has an iPad each as well which they use for it also.
sparkeh Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 To update my experience, we ditched 2Build A Profile and moved to Tapestry which is wonderful. I can't recommend it highly enough. 2
vikpaw Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 To update my experience, we ditched 2Build A Profile and moved to Tapestry which is wonderful. I can't recommend it highly enough. But it won't work offline which we need
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