Comments on: Why Apple’s iPad Can’t Succeed in Schools (Yet)

By: TB

TB — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:52:59 +0000

I work in a school in Somerset and we have over 50 Apple computers, integrated into a network running Windows and Linux machines also. In fact all the school surrounding us have some Mac presence.

By: iosion

iosion — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:00:15 +0000

From the article:

“It has been 16 years since I graduated from high school. And while I’m happy to report that my old school now has iMacs in most classrooms, sadly they only run Windows XP.”

Ummm… what? For the cost of even a used first gen iMac one can buy a PC that natively runs XP. For only a bit less money than that one could buy the virtualization software required to make the above statement approach reality.

Not to be a fan-boy or anything but after that comment the articles validity falls on its own sword.

By: tj

tj — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:26:36 +0000

i don’t know how much money my school spent but at the middle school we get ipads and at the high school we get laptops so i guess theyve already started putting ipads in schools

By: EducatedTeen

EducatedTeen — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:27:26 +0000

I have the opportunity to give a view from a student, since the students would be the ones who are affected. In my school, we run both mac and PC software, but then again, I'm in high school. In middle school and below, only PC software is run. The issue of dealing with mac, is well, none. The only problem my school has is the limited amount of macs. Familiarity with Windows has never caused a problem. In all actuality, I'm one of the few people left without a mac or mac book in my house. I do not go to a rich snob school either. I do agree with the fact that kids should not have ipads. It should be limited to high school students, or even eighth grade on. Children below that are still incredibly irresponsible. Nearly all of my peers always have their cell phones charged, their ipods charged, and their books with them. It is entirely possible to make an ipad high school a reality. It may be a bit expensive at first, but in the long run it can pay off. Instead of getting 100+ brand new textbooks every couple of years, a school could order a lot less. The ipad can run the newest version of the textbook for a lot cheaper. If every student keeps a single notebook and pen in his or her locker, then if an ipad does ever have a problem there is a notebook to write in and a textbook in the classroom to work with. I don't think the ipad is a horrible idea, but yes there can be some negatives. Nor do I think that the ipad is the world's greatest idea, just a plausible one. My school already allows students to bring in their own laptops if they choose to. It is possible, since my school has wifi set up, and to prevent students from going on websites that they should not be on during the school day, the school has set up a global block that prevents the inappropriate use of the internet.

By: Xank

Xank — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:47:51 +0000

Your concerns about tracking where a student goes and whether they can login have already been addressed in the iPhone OS enterprise solutions. It can prevent non-approved apps from being installed and push out custom applications to devices registered with a particular organization. Many American companies (and I imagine, international) are using this feature already.

These business solutions have made it possible to remotely wipe the device in case it is lost to protect any personal information the student may have on the device. The great thing about these Exchange server tools would be the universal sharing of address books to contact fellow students and instructors, a universal calendar for important school dates and instructor issued deadlines to add to class-specific calendars.

The benefits of a tablet like the iPhone in the classroom are many, but HOW it is implemented takes a cooperative look from both the teachers and IT team. The issues you've brought up are relatively easy to address as long as the willingness from your administration is there.

By: SS UK

SS UK — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:32:36 +0000

iPad is a great idea - provided you can afford to give one to every student. I too work in Education in the UK, at an independent school. If we could afford to give an iPad or something similar to every user then it would be great - I can think of lots of reasons why that would work. However, realistically the money men are looking at them as a replacement for a computer suite, being portable and able to be used in practically every classroom. This won't work because of the single user nature of the device. How do you stop someone from accessing the previous users files or email?

Another concern is e-safety. How can I monitor what a user is accessing on the web when they don't log in and have nothing other than the name of the iPad to identify them? I know that we can block access at the edge but there are always ways around that... On a Windows bases netbook I can install agents which block and monitor web access and can be monitored directly in class. I have not seen software like that for iAnything yet!

By: springa

springa — Sat, 01 May 2010 10:04:24 +0000

Nice Biglig! Love It... Totally agree though. This viewpoint of iPads is shallow and somewhat upsetting/ awkwardly funny. Spelling mistakes and so many inaccuracies... Like Jerry mentions below, you don't have a clue. Are you one of those people who don't want children to experience what you didn't when you were young? Does someone have some underlying issues?

By: jvpokc

jvpokc — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:44:02 +0000

It gives almost life like feeling when reading the book on this application. Another setback is that there is no camera in the iPad so no video recording available. Accelerometer of the device is great and you can have fun playing games o this device. It has Bluetooth connectivity. iPad is available in Black and White colour combination. The Apple device is not flash enabled so flash based website won’t open in iPad.

By: jvpokc

jvpokc — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:39:39 +0000

Apple iPad is one of the most anticipated announcements of this year. Like any other web tablet, the Apple iPad more focus on internet and multimedia. We can call iPad as a bigger version of Apple iPhone and iPod. The device includes an enhanced version of Apple iPhone OS (3.2). iPad can almost any any application that iPhone can run with a few minor changes to the application.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:37:20 +0000

I hear you all, but it is about a)money b)available support within the education system and c)most people in the world still use Windows based hardware so that's what schools teach.