Arguments for and against ipads - need info in a hurry

[MatthewL]

iPAD's are for home use and not for use in business/education. They a big gimic I think I have already seen at our place the time it is taken to support the 6 they have decided to trial and at the end of the day they do not do very much. If it was me I would invest in something like a netbook if you need a small device or failing that a suite of computers if the SEN department doesn't already have some. Wouldn't waste the money on iPAD's.

[witch]

OK - I have now pointed the NM towards this thread so I hope he is reading this - he may ask questions! I dont know if he is registered so I dont know who he is on here!!

[PotNoodleTech]

They a big gimic I think I have already seen at our place the time it is taken to support the 6 they have decided to trial and at the end of the day they do not do very much.

 

It's the teacher that should be "doing very much" in the classroom not the ipad. The ipad can only facilitate whatever it is the teacher wants to do.

 

I suggest doing a trial of just one ipad to start off with. Give it to a very good forward thinking teacher along with a google apps / dropbox etc account and buy them the apps they wish to trial. See what happens.

 

You'll soon find out if the ipad is useful or not. In our case it is proving VERY useful that teacher is doing some amazing stuff and her puils are also doing some amazing stuff.

 

We will buy more. However it is only of any use in the right hands and it will not prove useful to every teacher in every classroom. We certainly ain't gonna knee-jerk buy one per teacher or one per pupil that would be madness. They will be purchased and targeted at teachers that will use it well.

[conedltd]

It's funny, after reading all these responses, that it's still difficult to get the definitive answer! Big mix of emotional responses and practical issues. It's undoubtedly a band wagon, but that alone does seem to motivate teachers and children. The over-hype is a small price to pay for more confidence and enthusiasm for ICT.

 

We've just massaged the first 20 units of LearnPads into a school and they do look like a viable alternative to the iPads. (We don't sell them, so there's no hidden agenda here!) Some pros and some cons - here are a few that spring to mind

 

Pros

- Centrally managed solution

- Android based, so a much more open approach than Apple.

- Cost

- Built in Educational Apps

- Group/User based experience. You log on and get a tailored environment. Apple will apparently never support this.

- It supports Flash

- Alternatives to native apps. (Keyboard, browser, email client etc., can all be changed.)

- Easy data exchange using USB flash drives.

 

Cons

- Educational apps on marketplace are not as extensive as Apple community.

- No rear facing camera - BIG disappointment that they need to address. Multimedia is one of the key reasons the schools are looking at iPads.

- All a bit Beta at the moment, but very promising!

Edited May 10, 2012 by conedltd

[Net-Ctrl]

I dont know if it would be of any interest to any of you but we have been speaking with an Apple reseller recently called Square group they have dealt a lot in the education sector and have a history of providing solutions into it.

 

Anyway, they have a forthcoming seminar on the 16th May, this is a very 'pro' iPad event, but could be a chance to hear about the use of iPads from a few different speakers, Ruckus are also attending to speak about ensuring Wi-Fi connectivity.

 

More information is on their website, link is here

 

As I said it will be a very PRO iPad in education event and may not be to everyone's interest