iPads or Androids in the Classroom?

Yesterday I posted about the great strides Windows 8 has made towards becoming a viable classroom tablet alternative -- so today I thought I'd tackle the incumbents, Apple's iPad and the myriad of Android devices that are out there.  In the phone sector, the battle between iOS and Android continues to rage on... people loving one and hating the other.  So the question is... does the same sentiment exist in the tablet world?  Not as much, but both are a viable option in the classroom as long as you buy good hardware.  You know you are getting good Apple hardware, but beware of cheap Android tablets -- you tend to get what you pay for in Android-land.

So the question looms: What tablet is best for my technology use in the classroom?

iPads to date seem to still be the leaders in the choices of tablets schools are investing in for their students. Apple announced that its share of the education tablet market reached 94% at the end of its third quarter in 2013.

Apps
With tablets and many educational curriculum today, it’s all about the apps. We know this; Apple leads the charge in terms of amount of applications available. If you have an Apple device you can pretty much assume that any major app can be available for download and updates will be available as early as anyone else.

With an Android device you are likely to get most major apps but there are exceptions and the main difference lies in the quality of the applications, wait time for updates with wait times at weeks or months after the iOS version is available.  For the most part, Android has basically caught up to Apple when it comes to e-book applications.

So, perhaps, for what your classroom needs, the Android has all available apps. Perhaps not... it is imperative that you check all of that out before committing to one or the other.

Price
In the almost twenty years working with schools, I've yet to work with a school who have stated they have unlimited budgets for technology in their classrooms. Schools have come to recognize the importance of spending money on tech, but budgets have not necessarily grown in that area.  When it comes to price Android devices can be a bit more budget conscious than the iPad. You can get a current generation Android tablet with plenty of processing power for around $250.00 which comes in much cheaper than the iPad mini at $329.00.

It is imperative that schools stay away from the cheaper $99 and $129 Android devices.  They are, generally speaking, built with inferior hardware, have poor battery life and sometimes do not even have apps like Android Market or Amazon Marketplace on them.  It is worth noting that mobile device management may be important in your school, and that carries a significant price tag.

Ease of Use
Usability in a tablet is a very important aspect to consider when making a decision. iPads tend to be a perfect tablet for those a bit intimidated by the technology with its streamlined operating system that is simple to use. The iPad as a whole has fewer bugs and is known to run smoother, thus making it generally a better user experience.

On Android tablets, things are little more difficult to figure out so it will take hitting up the “Settings” feature a few times to really familiarize yourself with the features. Tutorials and general sessions for staff and students can easily solve this issue if Android is the tablet choice you are leaning towards.

The good news is technology is the language of our students today and more likely than not they are capable of grasping and learning any tablet handed to them.

Security
We can’t be done with our comparisons without looking at security. Is it essential for schools to think about the security aspects around the devices they are choosing? Both the iPad and Android devices are super protected from taking on any viruses but both run the risk of applications being run on them with infected malware.

From the Apple store every app is tested by Apple for malware before being released so there is that added protection in that regard. Google removes malware after it has been reported but also includes many settings in the Android operating system that can prevent malicious attacks.

Any device running Android 2.2 or higher (which is nearly all of them) has access to Google’s malware scanner so if that setting is activated you will also have the added “checkup” before the application gets pushed out.

So, regardless of which device you go with make sure to remember to not put the cart above the horse. Your school must first decide what the main goal is with these devices, and then do your research to figure out which is the best fit for that goal.

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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 18 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!

Tips for Using Windows 8 in the Classroom

Myth: Windows 8 is scary and there's nothing out there for my classroom!
Reality: Windows 8 is intuitive and there is an ever-growing list of apps and web-enabled apps that work wonders!

Windows 8 Offers an Immersive Student Learning Experience 
Windows 8 helps schools improve educational outcomes, bring learning to life, and build 21st century skills.  Students interact with devices that have been specifically designed for both touch and mouse, mirroring their real-life experiences and supporting both personalized and collaborative learning inside and outside of the classroom. 

As schools increasingly move to digital content, apps are playing an important role. The Windows 8 app library for schools now includes popular products such as BrainPOP®, Khan Academy®, and Stack the States™, as well as digital textbooks and innovative new apps such as CK-12© math and science, iTooch, and 21st Century Learning Design. 

Many apps are available at no charge, and many have been developed first for Windows 8, with extensive 

support for Common Core and state standards. 

Utilize Award-winning Content Across the Curriculum 
The award-winning BrainPOP apps provide schools with free as well as subscription-based content on topics across the curriculum. They are aligned to Common Core and state standards and are searchable by topic or standard, with special apps available for K-3, ESL, and Spanish-speaking students. Teachers use BrainPOP to introduce a new lesson or topic, illustrate complex subject matter, or review information before a test, while also getting support through a free online learning community. Students find the BrainPOP movies and interactive activities highly engaging. 

Many Free Interactive Video Tutorials 
Khan Academy, another highly regarded app now available to Windows 8 schools, provides free access to high-quality video tutorials and assessments on math, science, and history. It brings lessons to life even for tough topics like advanced geometry and gives teachers great visibility into student progress. Students practice at their own pace, with problems broken down into detailed steps.  According to Anthony Salcito in a 2012 Microsoft in Education blog post, “Khan Academy is beautifully suited for the features of Windows 8. For example, while watching a video tutorial online or downloaded and used offline, students can take notes on their  computer or multitask on another project. Khan Academy for Windows 8 is designed to meet the learning realities of students head-on.”    

Math and Science Help Galore
An exciting new product line for Windows 8 schools looking to enhance the STEM curriculum comes from CK-12 Foundation.  These free high-quality math and science apps personalize learning and avoid the cost of quickly outdated print textbooks.  Rich content aligned to Common Core standards includes customizable digital textbooks called Flexbooks®.  Over 5,000 STEM concepts are available in different modalities such as video, practice, assessment, and real-world applications; collaborative class and study groups; and interactive practice.  According to Margo Day, Vice President, U.S. Education, Microsoft Corp, "These new CK-12 STEM applications for Windows 8 will make learning STEM subjects more engaging and personalized for the needs of individual students across the nation.”    

Oodles of New Apps just for Windows 8
Many applications designed specifically for schools are now being built first for Windows 8. Called the Teacher Collection, these apps take full advantage of Windows 8 functionality. They include:

• 21st Century Learning Design, a collaborative project with Microsoft that assesses content against the six dimensions of 21st century learning
• Markbook, for creating complex assessments and detailed reports
• Lesson Plan Manager, for creating, delivering, and reporting on lessons
• Scaffolder, for mapping out assessments, projects, or processes and exporting to other formats 
• Random Student, for selecting individual students or groups 

Digital Textbooks Come to Windows 8

More and more eTextbooks are now available on Windows 8, from 

leading publishers such as Pearson, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 

McGraw-Hill, Chegg®, Kno™, and Adaptive Curriculum™. Students 

can search content, watch videos, interact with simulations, 

access web links, create personal study guides, and more.  

The expanding Windows 8 app library for schools supports a 

21st century learning environment and creates an immersive 

experience for students with a full range of functionality. Educators 

can meet new curriculum standards and requirements for 

online testing, while ensuring secure content management. 

I have worked with a number of different Windows 8 desktops, laptops and tablets.  Here are my recommendations for excellent hardware to run Windows 8 in your classroom!

The ASUS ME400C is a powerful, light and easy to use Windows 8 Tablet that runs the full version of Windows 8.

The Microsoft Surface RT is a great alternative that runs the Windows 8 RT version of the Operating System.

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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!

Using Padlet to Create A Bookmarking Hub in Your Class

Padlet is a great platform for bookmarking and sharing digital content. Since in its launch a few years ago, Padlet has undergone several great updates that make it an ideal tool to use with students in class.  

Padlet features :

• Padlet is very easy to use and has a user friendly interface
• Padlet is web based and does not require any software installation
• It allows you to easily add notes, text, images, videos, and drawings to your wall
• You can also add word documents from computer to your Padlet wall
• Padlet provides a wide variety of layouts to choose from
• Padlet works across multiple devices including mobile phones
• Any Padlet wall you create can be embedded into your blog or website.
• It enhances collaborative work. Multiple people can post to the same wall at the same time.
• Any Padlet wall can be exported in a variety of formats including, PDF, image,CSV, or Excel.
• Padlet is completely free

Some suggested ways to use Padlet in class:

• Use it as a backchannel tool where students can post comments and feedback on what they are learning
• Use is as a brainstorming tool. Create a Padlet wall for the whole class where they can collect and share ideas about a given topic.
• Students can use it as portfolio where they display their best work.
• You can use the classroom Padlet wall to post assignments and homework reminders to students.
• Engage parents in the learning that is taking place in class by inviting them to visit the classroom Padlet wall
• Aggregate links and other multimedia resources relevant for students learning and post them on the classroom wall for everybody to check
• Use it as a book review page where students post reviews of the books they read
• Create walls for major cultural events and holidays of the year and invite students to search for information relevant to each of these events and share them with the class.
• Classroom Padlet wall can be used as an open space where students engage in group discussions and interactive exchange of ideas.
• Students can use Padlet for sharing their reflections on what they have learned and what they need help with.

Here is how to create a Padlet

1- Click on the plus sign and select create new Padlet

2- Click on modify wall and then add a title, description

 

3 - Click on "Wall Paper" to choose from the background images to use on your Padlet or use your own image.

4 - Choose how posts appear on your wall by clicking on "Layout"

5 - Choose the privacy setting for your wall. You have several options -- you can password protect your Padlet, or hide the link to keep it private.  Then only people who you send the link to can access your Padlet wall.

This is how to post to your Padlet
Head over to your Padlet wall and click twice where you want to add your post. Now provide a name and post title and a short description of what the post is about. You can add images, upload documents from your computer, paste URLs of YouTube videos, and even take pictures with the camera of your computer or phone and add it right to your wall.

Clicking on the share button will provide you with different options to use to share your Padlet. You can either share it using a link, through popular social media, or using an embed code. You can also export your Padlet in different formats : PDF, image, Excel, and CSV.

Padlet Mini is an easy and simple to use browser add-on for Google Chrome. Once you install it on your browser you can then easily bookmark websites with one click.  Padlet Mini allows to either add the bookmarked website to an existing Padlet from your account or you can add it to a new padlet that you can create right from the extension as seen below.

If you have already created a Padlet for your class then students can use Padlet Mini in their browsers to instantly add links and resources they find online to the class wall. Just remind them to select the name of the class padlet when they want to add a resource through Padlet Mini.

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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!

Tribute to John Spinks of The Outfield

This post has been moved to my new website and BLOG -- click here to visit!

Surviving and Thriving in a Multi-Platform Environment

Here is a wonderful info-graphic from our friends at Tech&Learning and CDWG about the nuts and bolts of being in a multi-platform environment (since most of us are!).  

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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!