Virtual Learning Network

Replies

• • Josie Woon@JosieWoon

  

  Josie Woon (View all users posts) 10 Apr 2013 12:36pm (3633 days ago)

  Hi

  We are a PC school however I am an iPhone, iPad user so asked my BOT if we could trial iAds in my class as I only have 2 updating yet. Is no drama and only need wireless access.  For the other junior classes we have put in 2 Samsung tablets into 3 classes.  This decision was based on cost and that we were PC, if we decide to roll out more in these classes it will probably be PC however I will key a few more iPads.  It all depends if you are looking towards 1-1 or BYOD or just a few in each class.  Plus costs and mname meant systems come into play once you have to update a whole lot and keep them charged.  Not sure if very helpful but is just what we have done so far.

  Josie Woon

• • andy gorton@andyg

  

  andy gorton (View all users posts) 10 Apr 2013 12:59pm (3633 days ago)

  Hi

  (No offence intended in the below btw !!!)

  This is very much one of those how long is a piece of string questions I'm afraid. Without knowing what the school is trying to achieve (in both educational and ICT terms) it would be impossible IMO to answer apps/sw questions. As for durability, again it depends on loads of stuff e.g. are they being moved from class to class and danger of being dropped ? Will they be used outside (and thus a tablet easier to handle), is the budget the same whether they choose tablets or netbooks? Where is work to be stored (much easier from a networked netbook) or is this not an issue

  Sorry to appear negative and full of questions but this has to be elearning led and fit in with the school learning plan or else you will simply get "this works for us" answers at best

  cheers

  Andy

   

   

• • Tessa Gray@tessa.gray

  

  Tessa Gray (View all users posts) 10 Apr 2013 1:12pm (3633 days ago)

  There’s always been a great debate between tablets and their operating systems  Here’s an article from 3 days ago - discussing the specs, display resolution between the iPad and Sony Xperia Z Tablet.

  Some articles compare the camera, specs, display quality and intuitiveness of the device. Some consumers buy on price, screen size, wifi or 3G access, others choose on battery life.

  Informally I’ve heard that apps from iTunes have been more carefully ‘vetted’ for the market, whereas the apps for the android market have not. I’ve also heard that there are many more apps in iTunes as the iPad has been around since 2010, but then I’ve heard the opposite, because Android apps are more easily available???

  This article is worth a look, Compare Apps and Operating Systems as it talks about working out what tablet and operating system that fits your needs and your budget, based on who will be using it the most and for what reasons.

• • Eric Martini@EMartini

  

  Eric Martini (View all users posts) 10 Apr 2013 2:40pm (3633 days ago)

  iOS apps are vetted by Apple, before they appear in the App store... and yes there are more iOS apps that Android apps. There's only one place you can "officially" download and install iOS apps, and that's through the app store.

  Android apps aren't vetted by Google, thus nasty malicious apps are more prevalent on Android than iOS.

• • Eric Martini@EMartini

  

  Eric Martini (View all users posts) 10 Apr 2013 2:36pm (3633 days ago)

  Here on the Coast we've just completed a 3yr project upgrading classroom ICT across 31 primary schools.

  In order to receive their allocation of funds, each school had to submit a proposal as to what they wished to purchase and how it was to be integrated into the classroom. (the schools ICT plan formed the basis for the proposal). This meant that teachers began discussing what they wanted and how they planned on using it, and what PD was needed across the school. We also had a requirement that the schools IT person had to be consulted about any new tech, so any potential issues and issues with compatiblity with existing equipment, was identified and planned for.

   

  Having overseen the project, I can say that all schools who have bought ipads (both PC and Mac schools) have a mix of ipads and computers (laptops/desktops/netbooks etc).All schools made sure they had adequate numbers of reliable, stable computers before buying ipads. ipads were seen more as a "top-up" than as core/main equipment.

  - Have teachers have their say on what kind of tech they want... start the dialogue

  - Shortlist the equipment.... identify how it'll be used in the classroom, i

  - identify what PD is required,

  - consult with the IT person on how well will the new tech will integrate with existing tech - will it require addtional cost/equipment etc,

  - consider ongoing maintenamce or admin issues - eg installing apps/software, purchasing apps/software etc.who's responsible?

  - consider deployment - will this new tech be retained as a pod, or distributed across classrooms.

  - visit schools/classrooms who already have this tech - talk to teachers and principals about the pro's and con's and anything  they would do differently.

   

  Bottom line - get as much info from as many sources as possible, and don't rush the process if you can avoid it.

  One of the advantages about having our project spread over 3yrs, was at the end of each year the schools that received their funding had to report on what they bought and how they integrated it into the classroom. These reports were circulated to the remaining schools who were yet to receive their funding, so all the following schools new what equipment was purchased in the previous year, and were able to consult with those schools.