Pokémon Go on School iPad

[LeMarchand]

Just had the above request. My first thought was, "No way!" but is this just a knee jerk reaction?

 

The request is for all devices OR "just one", so I'm assuming it's a sweetener for a challenging child. I think that if it was on all, they can forget about any work being done on the pads. Just one? I can see child getting angry that they can't perform any micro-transactions, potentially leading to damage, and isn't this one of those "wander around" games - so they'll be wanting to roam at will. It also means that that pad will be unavailable for anyone else to use as we don't have the resources for 1-2-1.

 

Also:

 

Compatibility is not guaranteed for devices without GPS capabilities or devices that are connected only to Wi-Fi networks.

 

Or is this just cya for those who may stray out of Wi-Fi range?

 

Any thoughts?

[Garacesh]

I think that final bit as you suggest, is indeed just CYA for houses with weak WiFi.

 

But yes. Pokemon go is a geolocation-based game, which involves wandering around the great outdoors activating objectives and whatnot. The ability to play it in just one room without going anywhere severely diminishes the experience.

 

Personally, I'd say no.

 

Well, actually... I'd kick it up the chain and let somebody else say no, because chances are they're less likely to push back against someone higher up that can actually reprimand them.

 

School devices are to be used in the course of fulfilling the child's education. Pokemon Go ain't that. Plus the aforementioned wandering around being a liability, and the addition of microtransactions, definitely a no-go.

[ITGuyNW]

Absolutely not.

 

and yeah it needs GPS doesn't it? Plus doesn't Pokemon Go try to avoid spawning near/in schools so you don't have kids just doing it all day?

[Olliedawg]

Pointless as they wouldn't be able to play it really, as you need to physically move around.

 

Plus, like ITGuyNW said, they dont tend to spawn pokemon near schools. I can confirm this because a few years ago i used to play it!

[Rob_D]

By the sounds of it you already have plenty of reasons to say no. But also, they're supposed to only place activities/pokemon in public spaces/rights of way. So there shouldn't be anything to do on school property. making it pretty pointless.

 

I normally start these conversations with the question "How do you see this working?". Half the time they've thought of some completely different angle that's both workable and makes perfect sense, and they talk me around to supporting the idea.

[LeMarchand]

Thanks folks. I had already started my email with by saying it's possible, but they might want to bear a few things in mind.

[Brax]

They could just play the GO Battle league which is PVP and doesn't require you to wander around but location services need to be on for the game to function at all.