iPad in schools

[jamesleeds]

Unless the apps/games need Flash of course...

 

I believe we'll quite quickly see a resolution to the Apple / Adobe war on Flash... personally, I'm looking at developing direct to HTML5 for the iPad, and I'm fairly sure Adobe will start producing Flash-like tools for building directly to this also. But we'll see...

[HodgeHi]

I believe we'll quite quickly see a resolution to the Apple / Adobe war on Flash... personally, I'm looking at developing direct to HTML5 for the iPad, and I'm fairly sure Adobe will start producing Flash-like tools for building directly to this also. But we'll see...

 

I read that Apple are building a framework for Javascript to implement perhaps some of the features Flash has and Javascript doesn't.

 

AppleInsider | Apple developing Flash alternative named Gianduia

 

I am also happy to see someone who has mentioned the fact that They are looking past the lack of flash. Apple freely release the tools to create apps. How you deploy them I'm not too sure but again I think I read or it was mentioned during the iPhone OS 4.0 that you will be allowed to deploy your own apps internally.

 

I think that there is enough skill and talent on here that could produce a iPhone/iPad-based app that would blow some of the educational games built in flash right out of the water. I don't understand why people are fixated on this non-flash thing. It's a pain to maintain. Has to be maintained due to it's crapness and on a mac its generally rubbish. But if HTML5 does take off it will be across Windows-based machines as well. MS has already mentioned it fully supports H.264 for streaming video.

[enjay]

I think that there is enough skill and talent on here that could produce a iPhone/iPad-based app that would blow some of the educational games built in flash right out of the water. I don't understand why people are fixated on this non-flash thing.

 

No doubt true, however until that day comes, we're stuck with Flash. We mayn't like it, but we've got to play the cards we've been dealt.

[SYNACK]

No doubt true, however until that day comes, we're stuck with Flash. We mayn't like it, but we've got to play the cards we've been dealt.

 

Even when that day comes it is not going to change the large amount of flash content that already exists and it in use to this new format magicly. It will still require a large reinvestment of time and as usual money to get back to where your resource base was before let alone exciding it.

 

I dislike flash as much as the next person but that does not change the fact that it is everywhere and with the inertia of education software will remain so for the forseeable future.

[enjay]

Even when that day comes it is not going to change the large amount of flash content that already exists

 

Absolutely, in fact I said exactly that, and then deleted it before posting for some reason!

[HodgeHi]

But then as Steve Jobs already pointed out in his letter. Due to flash not being able to support multi-touch input as well as it could then software that is to be used on multi-touch devices will need to be re-written anyway. So why go for some plug-in that is required by all when you could just opt to code for the most common platform which in theory when HTML 5 is standardised will be on every machine by default. No need for users to download anything else just to run the app/software you have created.

 

From the looks of what is happening multi-touch devices are coming.

 

But upon saying that though, has anyone used a Microsoft surface? I did see the small smart tables that ran their software. What is this made in? Is it flash? Is it multi-touch compatible?

[enjay]

But upon saying that though, has anyone used a Microsoft surface? I did see the small smart tables that ran their software. What is this made in? Is it flash? Is it multi-touch compatible?

 

Played with a Surface and Smart table at BETT, definitely multi-touch; couldn't tell you about Flash versions or anything though...

[torledo]

who needs flash for the ipad when you've got C#, Silverlight, and monotouch.

[SYNACK]

But upon saying that though, has anyone used a Microsoft surface? I did see the small smart tables that ran their software. What is this made in? Is it flash? Is it multi-touch compatible?

 

Surface uses Silverlight and WPF (which are pretty much the same thing) which were built to handle multitouch from the start, not sure about the Smart table but it is possibly based on this technology to.

[HodgeHi]

Now, Silverlight on a mac is actually alright. Much better than flash anyway in my experience. But then I've only used it when using the ITV Player.

 

What's everyone elses opinion of Silverlight Vs Flash? Is it a contender? and if so why isn't this allowed on the iPad/iPhone? is it a lack of a mobile version?

[localzuk]

Now, Silverlight on a mac is actually alright. Much better than flash anyway in my experience. But then I've only used it when using the ITV Player.

 

What's everyone elses opinion of Silverlight Vs Flash? Is it a contender? and if so why isn't this allowed on the iPad/iPhone? is it a lack of a mobile version?

 

Personally? I much prefer Silverlight - but that's because I'm coming from a developer standpoint and Flash is horrible. ActionSctipt sucks badly IMO.

[SYNACK]

I am also heavily in favor of Silverlight above flash, it is vastly better from a coding standpoint and an architecture one. It is also much friendlier for porting in most areas sans DRM with projects like moonlight. I don't like their projected mobile support though as it leaves out WM6 despite their original hinting that it would be supported, now it is limited to WM7.

 

Mobile wise it is questionable that it would end up on the iPad as it in competition to apple and their developer tools.

[enjay]

and if so why isn't this allowed on the iPad/iPhone? is it a lack of a mobile version?

 

It is more likely because Apple don't like anything multi-platform, preferring instead things which were written specifically for an iProduct.

[Sean-OC04]

You don't have clue....It's called touchscreen technology.... it's about a more interactive environment it's about using more interactive applications....

 

Apple - iPad - Apps for iPad

[newt]

I sincerely think that these types of gadgets are a waste of time and money. Let's not go down this route when we can barely afford to pay teachers properly!

[glennda]

I sincerely think that these types of gadgets are a waste of time and money. Let's not go down this route when we can barely afford to pay teachers properly!

 

dont start that argument teachers are paid a hell of alot more then us technicians!

[Disease]

I decided to bite the bullet and order an Ipad to try in school, should be here on Tuesday. I look forward to having a play with it.

[Alis_Klar]

THIN CLIENT!!!!!!!!! Do You Want To Use Citrix Receiver To Run Windows 7 From The iPad ?

[localzuk]

THIN CLIENT!!!!!!!!! Do You Want To Use Citrix Receiver To Run Windows 7 From The iPad ?

 

There are so many cheaper options than an iPad for this. Choose a cheap and cheerful android tablet instead, as its functionality is kinda irrelevant, only that it is a touchscreen and can run the receiver.

[_techie_]

We have ordered 1 for our SEN department. We got it as there are some good educational packages on the apps store for it, and it is easy to lock down actually.

Obviously the iPad will have to be used under supervision, as it is expensive kit, but surely this should happen with any IT equipment being used in school?

[DrCheese]

I could see these being ideal electronic registration devices for lessons away from the main classroom, i.e PE lessons and school trips. Get the 3g version, setup the VPN support and vola. I've read comments about certain MIS suppliers considering developing applications for the iphone, so maybe I'm not in a total dream world.

 

Easy to carry, standby battery life of days, none of the pratting about waiting for Windows to load on a netbook and then dealing with all the management of a full on portable client.

 

As for student use... I'm not so sure about classroom use, as the majority of computer usage is for producing documents which is something that would really suck doing on the iPad for a long period of time, not to mention the non network friendlyness of the device (i.e No Windows shares).

 

But on school trips to say, the national history museum I can really see the potential. If they eventually gain a camera and are clever enough to load location specific apps they would be amazing for this purpose, Pulling up all sorts of information about whatever the user is currently focusing on, letting the user take notes and pictures about what they are seeing to be used when they return, not unlike the way the reviewer uses it in the Gizmodo review. Apple iPad Review

[Bromcom_John]

I've read comments about certain MIS suppliers considering developing applications for the iphone, so maybe I'm not in a total dream world.

 

You're not in a total dream world Dr Cheese.

 

[jamesb]

I could see these being ideal electronic registration devices for lessons away from the main classroom, i.e PE lessons and school trips. Get the 3g version, setup the VPN support and vola. I've read comments about certain MIS suppliers considering developing applications for the iphone, so maybe I'm not in a total dream world.

 

Easy to carry, standby battery life of days, none of the pratting about waiting for Windows to load on a netbook and then dealing with all the management of a full on portable client.

 

As for student use... I'm not so sure about classroom use, as the majority of computer usage is for producing documents which is something that would really suck doing on the iPad for a long period of time, not to mention the non network friendlyness of the device (i.e No Windows shares).

 

But on school trips to say, the national history museum I can really see the potential. If they eventually gain a camera and are clever enough to load location specific apps they would be amazing for this purpose, Pulling up all sorts of information about whatever the user is currently focusing on, letting the user take notes and pictures about what they are seeing to be used when they return, not unlike the way the reviewer uses it in the Gizmodo review. Apple iPad Review

 

Reading the signs next to the exhbits is too hard for the little kiddliwinks?

 

I'm sure there are genuine uses, I can even see some of them (particularly for older students), but others which I've heard do seem to be a bit technology for technology's sake rather than genuine uses.

 

Besides, for the price of paying for an iPad for each student for a Natural History museum visit you could simply hire a large selection of very good guides for the day.

Edited June 7, 2010 by jamesb

[rehanahmeds]

not sure what good they will bring in school with such pricing...

[karls5]

Hi

 

We recently bought 6 iPad's to trial in school, but we have a problem in that, when we go to the App Store on the iPad's, choose an app, press install, it as asks for the Apple ID password, then returns to the home screen, to start the download, but then comes up with the messages, "Cannot connect to iTunes Store, OK"

 

We have tried various Wifi points in the school, different levels on Encryption, but it wont download anything, browsing the Web is fine, receiving mail is fine. The iPad's and App Store work's at home no problem.

 

We can browse and download apps via iTunes on a Macbook fine then Sync them to the iPads. iPhones and iPod Touches seem fine also within school. It is just the iPads the won't download apps.

 

I was just wondering if anyone has had this problem we are on EMBC.