Fraznie

I can understand your point, but in my initial post I also mention that we use apple TV and that our VLE app only has a teacher version compatible with iOS. I should be clearer perhaps about this; teachers project their iPads on to the screen, rather than using a computer in some classrooms, especially members of staff who teach in multiple rooms. Our VLE is central to everything we do at school, so it is incredibly useful to be able to run this app on a compatible device. I am sure that a lot of the apps we use are available on android devices too, but not this one. Dictation and voice recording has also been used increasingly by staff at the moment, especially when all feedback is being given digitally. I will certainly look in to more low cost options, I just want to make sure I am not taking away any functionality that our staff have become accustomed to using. The idea of involving staff in the decision is essential I think, so I think this will be my next step. Thanks!

Great questions @Norphy! We are using Microsoft 365. The way in which teachers use them varies. The most avid users keep them as planners, markbooks, for emails and using our VLE app. We will also be switching to Bromcom so access to this from a device would be really important. They are also cameras and some use specialist subject apps, especially the language dept. Our SEND dept also use them with students to help with accessibility. We use Meraki and Lightspeed to manage them and push out apps to the devices. Each teacher is responsible for their own iPad and the number of apps will vary. I probably have 40-50 apps, some paid for. I don't think I would be strung up . The number of staff who really use them is probably less than 15, and I wouldn't take them away, but I wonder how other staff would feel if they were given a different device?

Thanks for the advice. We are using O365. I will look in to the Surface and Chromebooks as you suggest. Do you have experience of using them?

Hi, I'm in need of some advice. We have iPads at school that are given to staff, but they are becoming outdated, some are as old as 6-7 years. I would like to gradually replace these over the next few years as our budget will allow, but am unsure whether to stick with iPads or phase in a new type of device. Other considerations are that we currently have apple TV in a lot of our classrooms and use Firefly as our VLE for which there is a teacher app available for iOS, but not android. I would welcome any thoughts on this and any suggestions as to which devices might be good to investigate. Thanks.