Educational Use - Apple/Google/Microsoft?
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Keith Barrow wrote:
Not provide a parent's card details at registration is a biggie.
??? No idea what this even means.
Keith Barrow wrote:
OK, not aged 8, but aged 9 I was beginning to write software for the Sinclair Spectrum, by aged 12 I was pretty proficient, certainly better at BASIC than my primary school teacher. I don't see why today's kids need be any different.
I said "typical" 8 year old. You guys need to stop thinking like developers, power users and all around tech gods. The average tablet user (particularly very young children and teachers) have no interest in writing code. The vast majority of the time they will use a tablet (or a PC) to consume data (eBooks, educational apps, web content, educational games, etc...). The small time they are generating data will likely be using writing / presentation / multimedia tools. Only a very, VERY small percentage would even consider writing an app on any platform.
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. ~ George Washington
That's where the rubber meets the road. Speccy's, C=64 & BBC when powered on booted to BASIC so you had to know at least how to type a few commands. Typing LOAD "" got a bit boring for most users so they ventured to PRINT "" and on from there...these days it takes effort to get a programming language so unless a parent, older sibling sets them up its Farcebook and other websites.
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**Question 1)**Picture the scene, you are a school that is looking to review the use of technology in the classroom (i.e. defining future digital strategy). Let's consider you are looking at the age group 5 to 12 (Primary1 to P7). You may require that parent purchase devices in the future. You will also be possibly issuing to teachers etc. Taking all things into consideration, i.e. devices, usability, platform, the eco systems and tooling/services of the companies, Would you go for a) Microsoft + Surface b) Google + Android (using Galaxy Tabs/Notes and/or possibly Chromebooks) c) Apple + iPad (+ keyboard) My thoughts were with Google+Android, because a) Devices generally cheaper, b) syncronised platform across web/tablet/phone c) product spectrum of underyling services and platforms d) more open platform Question 2) What are your immediate thoughts to this statement: "We have carried out a very thorough process of due diligence with regard to choosing a preferred device. We tested 9 different devices across 14 members of staff with others joining in. Drop-in sessions, informal meetings, research at other schools, a formal online response and surveys of staff and pupil use of devices all helped to inform our final preference, which is for iPads, supported as needed by keyboards. Our aim is that the whole school will be wireless enabled by this autumn. Staff will be equipped with iPads in order to research and develop their use in the classroom and their support for the curriculum over the next school year. Some class sets will be available for testing material with teaching groups." Note: this is as a result of my kids school issuing the statement in Q2 (which was part of a larger email). My kids already have android tablets and chromebooks. I'll be fkd if i'm buying iPads.:mad:
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
Although I would come down firmly on the side of Android for this - for reasons of price, ease of use, lack of credit card and above all no need for "xStore" official developer status - I do wonder if we aren't confusing two different application scenarios. If the device is to be used simply for reading, communicating and learning then all the options are equal for the student, the question then becomes "which platform is the best for the teachers to use?" If we are wanting to teach students how to programme, interface with other equipment etc., then why not use the Raspberry Pi? After all that is what it was invented for! The more adventurous students can then build their own RaspPi tablet ;)
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Gee, you're right - because all the apps on iPads (and MS Surfaces) were created by magic elves - not human developers who learned programming skills and applied them to silicon and electronics to perform specific tasks. Give us a break! Since you seem to believe that tablets in primary schools are useful only for students to learn professional development techniques I suggest we also require parents to buy high-end dev boxes for the little nippers and send them off to developers conferences over the summer. :rolleyes:
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. ~ George Washington
Nothing to do with "professional development techniques", and I'll thank you to cease telling me what I'm thinking. Learning how to interact with a network, learning how to work with a file system, learning how to create and deal with files of all types, etc, etc, etc, all of these are ****ed up by apple's "tied-down" system of not allowing the user to treat a computer like a computer, and having to do everything by physically connecting the devices to computers so that you can interact with the machine *only with* their bloatware, which has to be installed on the master machine. That is where some of the main problems with using iToys are. I'll now return the favour of your deciding what I'm thinking and accusing me of being closed minded by filing you under apple-indoctrinated-w@nker/poseur. Children will learn a Hell of a lot more if they are given android devices to work with. That is fact. Get over your mindless adoration of apple, and think of what's best for the children.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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ChrisElston wrote:
Learning to code is to be taught to all children from age 7 in the UK.
Good luck with that...
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. ~ George Washington
Actually, my son's school used some educational software to teach the basics of programming (in flowchart form) from when he was 7. He was so excited I got him a copy to use at home.
"If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough." Alan Kay.
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For the Surface, it depends. With RT (and is suppose the associated version of Windows 8) you need to be able to license the app and have a compiler for ARM (which I think is only in the paid version of Visual Studio). For Pro it is the same as any desktop, laptop, or tablet that contains an Intel processor. Cause that is what it is: a small ultrabook that happens to be the same form factor as the Surface RT. And you could remove Windows from it and install Linux, though I imagine that would void the warranty.
Unless you opt for TouchDevelop[^]
"If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough." Alan Kay.
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**Question 1)**Picture the scene, you are a school that is looking to review the use of technology in the classroom (i.e. defining future digital strategy). Let's consider you are looking at the age group 5 to 12 (Primary1 to P7). You may require that parent purchase devices in the future. You will also be possibly issuing to teachers etc. Taking all things into consideration, i.e. devices, usability, platform, the eco systems and tooling/services of the companies, Would you go for a) Microsoft + Surface b) Google + Android (using Galaxy Tabs/Notes and/or possibly Chromebooks) c) Apple + iPad (+ keyboard) My thoughts were with Google+Android, because a) Devices generally cheaper, b) syncronised platform across web/tablet/phone c) product spectrum of underyling services and platforms d) more open platform Question 2) What are your immediate thoughts to this statement: "We have carried out a very thorough process of due diligence with regard to choosing a preferred device. We tested 9 different devices across 14 members of staff with others joining in. Drop-in sessions, informal meetings, research at other schools, a formal online response and surveys of staff and pupil use of devices all helped to inform our final preference, which is for iPads, supported as needed by keyboards. Our aim is that the whole school will be wireless enabled by this autumn. Staff will be equipped with iPads in order to research and develop their use in the classroom and their support for the curriculum over the next school year. Some class sets will be available for testing material with teaching groups." Note: this is as a result of my kids school issuing the statement in Q2 (which was part of a larger email). My kids already have android tablets and chromebooks. I'll be fkd if i'm buying iPads.:mad:
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
I'd encourage the tool to use Web-based solutions, then it really wouldn't matter which they (or you) chose.
"If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough." Alan Kay.
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Nothing to do with "professional development techniques", and I'll thank you to cease telling me what I'm thinking. Learning how to interact with a network, learning how to work with a file system, learning how to create and deal with files of all types, etc, etc, etc, all of these are ****ed up by apple's "tied-down" system of not allowing the user to treat a computer like a computer, and having to do everything by physically connecting the devices to computers so that you can interact with the machine *only with* their bloatware, which has to be installed on the master machine. That is where some of the main problems with using iToys are. I'll now return the favour of your deciding what I'm thinking and accusing me of being closed minded by filing you under apple-indoctrinated-w@nker/poseur. Children will learn a Hell of a lot more if they are given android devices to work with. That is fact. Get over your mindless adoration of apple, and think of what's best for the children.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
I give up. I wonder how in love with Android you'll be if/when Google merges it with Chrome and completely kills all your prized network and file interactions? :laugh: :laugh: You realize that is their ultimate goal? Right?
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. ~ George Washington
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Actually, my son's school used some educational software to teach the basics of programming (in flowchart form) from when he was 7. He was so excited I got him a copy to use at home.
"If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough." Alan Kay.
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5-12 year olds don't need £300 pieces of electronics, whichever manufacturer it's from. This is a massive waste of educational resources, and a disgrace when budgets and services are being cut. Additionally, parents should never be expected to buy expensive kit for their children to take part in education. School is for developing fundamental skills in language, maths and logic, and the ability to think critically and analytically, to set you up for life. All of that is device agnostic, to the extent of it being fine on paper.
It may also make them a target for crime.
"If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough." Alan Kay.
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**Question 1)**Picture the scene, you are a school that is looking to review the use of technology in the classroom (i.e. defining future digital strategy). Let's consider you are looking at the age group 5 to 12 (Primary1 to P7). You may require that parent purchase devices in the future. You will also be possibly issuing to teachers etc. Taking all things into consideration, i.e. devices, usability, platform, the eco systems and tooling/services of the companies, Would you go for a) Microsoft + Surface b) Google + Android (using Galaxy Tabs/Notes and/or possibly Chromebooks) c) Apple + iPad (+ keyboard) My thoughts were with Google+Android, because a) Devices generally cheaper, b) syncronised platform across web/tablet/phone c) product spectrum of underyling services and platforms d) more open platform Question 2) What are your immediate thoughts to this statement: "We have carried out a very thorough process of due diligence with regard to choosing a preferred device. We tested 9 different devices across 14 members of staff with others joining in. Drop-in sessions, informal meetings, research at other schools, a formal online response and surveys of staff and pupil use of devices all helped to inform our final preference, which is for iPads, supported as needed by keyboards. Our aim is that the whole school will be wireless enabled by this autumn. Staff will be equipped with iPads in order to research and develop their use in the classroom and their support for the curriculum over the next school year. Some class sets will be available for testing material with teaching groups." Note: this is as a result of my kids school issuing the statement in Q2 (which was part of a larger email). My kids already have android tablets and chromebooks. I'll be fkd if i'm buying iPads.:mad:
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
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**Question 1)**Picture the scene, you are a school that is looking to review the use of technology in the classroom (i.e. defining future digital strategy). Let's consider you are looking at the age group 5 to 12 (Primary1 to P7). You may require that parent purchase devices in the future. You will also be possibly issuing to teachers etc. Taking all things into consideration, i.e. devices, usability, platform, the eco systems and tooling/services of the companies, Would you go for a) Microsoft + Surface b) Google + Android (using Galaxy Tabs/Notes and/or possibly Chromebooks) c) Apple + iPad (+ keyboard) My thoughts were with Google+Android, because a) Devices generally cheaper, b) syncronised platform across web/tablet/phone c) product spectrum of underyling services and platforms d) more open platform Question 2) What are your immediate thoughts to this statement: "We have carried out a very thorough process of due diligence with regard to choosing a preferred device. We tested 9 different devices across 14 members of staff with others joining in. Drop-in sessions, informal meetings, research at other schools, a formal online response and surveys of staff and pupil use of devices all helped to inform our final preference, which is for iPads, supported as needed by keyboards. Our aim is that the whole school will be wireless enabled by this autumn. Staff will be equipped with iPads in order to research and develop their use in the classroom and their support for the curriculum over the next school year. Some class sets will be available for testing material with teaching groups." Note: this is as a result of my kids school issuing the statement in Q2 (which was part of a larger email). My kids already have android tablets and chromebooks. I'll be fkd if i'm buying iPads.:mad:
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
I'd have a serious think about whether or not you really want to buy *any* of these things. My son used to go to a school where someone bought the students some iPads. They ended up being used as glorified e-readers for textbooks. There are much better/cheaper platforms for this kind of thing. I have yet to be convinced that there is a compelling case for tablets in the classroom.
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**Question 1)**Picture the scene, you are a school that is looking to review the use of technology in the classroom (i.e. defining future digital strategy). Let's consider you are looking at the age group 5 to 12 (Primary1 to P7). You may require that parent purchase devices in the future. You will also be possibly issuing to teachers etc. Taking all things into consideration, i.e. devices, usability, platform, the eco systems and tooling/services of the companies, Would you go for a) Microsoft + Surface b) Google + Android (using Galaxy Tabs/Notes and/or possibly Chromebooks) c) Apple + iPad (+ keyboard) My thoughts were with Google+Android, because a) Devices generally cheaper, b) syncronised platform across web/tablet/phone c) product spectrum of underyling services and platforms d) more open platform Question 2) What are your immediate thoughts to this statement: "We have carried out a very thorough process of due diligence with regard to choosing a preferred device. We tested 9 different devices across 14 members of staff with others joining in. Drop-in sessions, informal meetings, research at other schools, a formal online response and surveys of staff and pupil use of devices all helped to inform our final preference, which is for iPads, supported as needed by keyboards. Our aim is that the whole school will be wireless enabled by this autumn. Staff will be equipped with iPads in order to research and develop their use in the classroom and their support for the curriculum over the next school year. Some class sets will be available for testing material with teaching groups." Note: this is as a result of my kids school issuing the statement in Q2 (which was part of a larger email). My kids already have android tablets and chromebooks. I'll be fkd if i'm buying iPads.:mad:
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
I totally agree with you. In addition, you implied by "open" but did not actually mention, that, in order to do any relevant programming, everyone will now be required to purchase relatively expensive Apple computers for home use. In my mind, Apple is more evil than Microsoft. One of my sons recently bought an iPhone, because all of his school friends have iPhones. He has been very disappointed that he can't get free music anymore and the screen size is too small. Both of my sons want to learn Java programming, and I suggested Android phones would be a good demonstration and practical use platform. When I asked the iPhone owner about this, he asked about installing OSX on our spare generic Windows/Linux computer, but after we looked into the requirements for a Hackintosh, decided that he would simply need to use his old Android phone for demo purposes. Hopefully, when his two-year iPhone contract is up, he will go back to Android. On another note, the other son and I have Amazon Kindle Fire readers, which, though supposedly Android, are a little bit closed app-wise, so there is still a bit of a problem there. To me, "proprietary" has always just been a code word for evil control and not in the customer's best interest.
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**Question 1)**Picture the scene, you are a school that is looking to review the use of technology in the classroom (i.e. defining future digital strategy). Let's consider you are looking at the age group 5 to 12 (Primary1 to P7). You may require that parent purchase devices in the future. You will also be possibly issuing to teachers etc. Taking all things into consideration, i.e. devices, usability, platform, the eco systems and tooling/services of the companies, Would you go for a) Microsoft + Surface b) Google + Android (using Galaxy Tabs/Notes and/or possibly Chromebooks) c) Apple + iPad (+ keyboard) My thoughts were with Google+Android, because a) Devices generally cheaper, b) syncronised platform across web/tablet/phone c) product spectrum of underyling services and platforms d) more open platform Question 2) What are your immediate thoughts to this statement: "We have carried out a very thorough process of due diligence with regard to choosing a preferred device. We tested 9 different devices across 14 members of staff with others joining in. Drop-in sessions, informal meetings, research at other schools, a formal online response and surveys of staff and pupil use of devices all helped to inform our final preference, which is for iPads, supported as needed by keyboards. Our aim is that the whole school will be wireless enabled by this autumn. Staff will be equipped with iPads in order to research and develop their use in the classroom and their support for the curriculum over the next school year. Some class sets will be available for testing material with teaching groups." Note: this is as a result of my kids school issuing the statement in Q2 (which was part of a larger email). My kids already have android tablets and chromebooks. I'll be fkd if i'm buying iPads.:mad:
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
Surface is too expensive for school use, I guess, though I would certainly prefer that over the other two for my personal use, because of the robust self-healing NTFS. My friends and relatives are throwing their Android devices away, because, as they say, they don't know how to handle errors that started to be rather frequent after a year of use. So, what's left here as an acceptable choice is iPad.
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Excellent! Was this educational software exclusive to Android?
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. ~ George Washington
No, it was PC-based software, called Flowol (sorry, couldn't remember the name yesterday). Flowol[^] It is limited, but did a good job as far it is went and piqued his interest, which made me happy. I'd really like to see something like that (but more sophisticated) run in the browser, so it could be freely available regardless of platform.
"If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough." Alan Kay.