Learnpads or iPads?

[Malph]

Seriously interested in investing in Learnpads for a large primary school- wireless charging, saving to server, qr codes to log on to profile and access lessons.

Has any one got them in their school? How is the battery life and charging. Is printing straightforward. Basically are they worth it. The demo was excellent, but I would like some feedback from users. Thanks.

[Mako]

We have 6 Learnpads. I thoroughly love the concept of the Learnpad software. The company have made the software to suit the purpose, rather than the tablet craze of people trying to bend the hardware to suit their needs, resulting in a lot of ad-hoc management.

 

Unfortunately, like most things shiny shiny, they're sat in a room and haven't been used in over a year.

 

I would strongly advise picking a decent Android tablet then putting the Learnpad software on top, rather than buy the Learnpad tablets. Our 6 devices are Learnpad's own, and found the quality of the device itself to be inferior. When we received some Samsung tablets on loan, and converted them into Learnpad devices, it was much better due to the superior hardware, so I would choose that route.

 

You can then register the third party tablets with Learnpad and use them just fine. It's fairly straightforward to deploy your own apps, create 'lessons' and content and distribute it. Can't comment on printing as they're on an internet-only WiFi network, it was never a requirement.

[casey]

We are a primary with about 450 children from 4 to 11.

 

We've got a set of 30 for class use and each class has 1 for the teacher. These are the type with plug-in charging, but I am currently awaiting 32 of the latest ones.

 

The QR codes work very well for all sorts of things both lessons (a virtual tour of San Francisco with codes stuck around the KS2 area!) and admin, I did have trouble saving more than 1 item at a time to the server but I was told the latest version of the LearnPad software should have fixed it. (I haven't tried it yet)

 

The battery life seems to be very good (a whole school day and more), as is the customer service, the technical help line really know their product. We had a couple of small hardware problems but they were fixed quickly.

 

Repair cost seems to be good too, we had one dropped in the playground and the glass/plastic screen was damaged (but not the digitiser or screen behind) and we were quoted £25 for replacement and £7.50 p'n'p.

 

They seem very popular with teachers and children, hence us ordering more less than 6 months after the first batch.

 

Haven't tried printing yet, the older children use the 'Hand in' system and the teacher picks up the work from the Class Connect website.

 

And the main advantage, they are easy to manage I've never tried to support multiple iPads but from the comments on here it seems to be a bit of a nightmare.

[NB9457]

We have a few schools that have both iPads and Learnpads.

 

The Learnpads they have are the original generation with the flimsy chargers, poor build quality and slow hardware, this is probably why the staff and myself don't get on with them. The concept of them and the apps are great but I think I'd go with Mako on this one, get some Samsung tabs and put the Learnpad software on them, it'll probably be a lot nicer to use and the fact it's a known branded tablet then is also a plus.

 

I've generally found though, the kids and staff preferthe iPads, why? Well:

-Shiny Apple logo

-Everyone knows how to use them, they're so simple

-Apple support is outstanding

-Really good battery life

-Good hardware

-Regular software updates and fixes

 

Negatives:

-Management is a bit of a pain

-Tend to go missing often

-Chargers go walkies too

-Apps can be expensive

-More expensive

 

Personally, I'd go iPad, I know they'll work and I know they'll get used.

[mjk]

Chromebooks run Android apps now, plus many have touchscreens and some convert to tablets.

Just saying if you are comparing to ipads then they are also worth serious consideration.

[Joanne]

I have 48 iPads and am considering getting a set of 24 LearnPads. The LearnPads seem easier to use in terms of being more lesson focussed with the QR scanning and app restriction. Also the wireless charging is a plus. Also the ability to save to the server... yeah.

 

Getting a second demo next week. Hope to get a few teachers onside!

 

I've had a big issue of iPad leads going missing. £165 worth!! They are glued into the trolley now!

[Malph]

Thanks to all for the replies. When I had my demo, I didn't really get my hands on to see how the quality felt, so I would be interested to hear your take on that. The iPads we have are used but for the management of work, especially when sharing them across a lot of classes is quite a headache.

For the word processor/office suite, the guy said the files would save and be compatible with Microsoft Office. He did recommend the version with a keyboard. I would like to see how that combination worked as I didn't get to see that.

Still a bit overwhelmed with all the kit on offer and trying to get as many devices in the hands of as many pupils as possible for the best price. So still left wondering- Learnpads/iPads/chromebooks or laptops? We use Purple Mash and Education City a lot which pretty much all platforms would hit. But one of my favourite programs- Clicker 6 doesn't work on Android which is a shame.

If Apple could add this type learnpad management to education I think they would kill off a lot of the competition.

Learnpads I am told, are only sold in sets of 8 for their wireless chargers so to test it all out I guess I'd need an Android device and then trial the software. A shame, because if I could get a single unit, I'd get it tomorrow. I'm nearly convinced........

[pooley]

We went down the route of Learnpads and have been impressed.

 

Plus points as a tech is the ability to setup easily via qr codes, and manage simply via web portal, you can control, update software and push out apps/profiles remotely.

Loving the new wireless charging stations.

Cheaper than I shiney devices

Support flash - teachers who have 10 year old web bookmarks can add them as resources and the flash games will work.

 

Negative points.

 

The early ones were poor quality wise, charging pins bent etc.

staff have to get on board with using them, dare I say planning in advance, no just chuck them in front of a kid and let them play.

 

Most of our teachers have got on board and like the way they can control what the children are doing/using them for.

Some kids think they are cr@p, but this is because they can't just take selfies and roam the www instead of doing what they are asked.

 

I'm sure LP will sell a single unit for you to play with and test. If not just install the software onto an android tab/phone and play.

Feel free to pm if you need more info.

 

Si