1. IOS (Apple)
Pros-
- Apple offers the most variety when it comes to applications which gives educators more options to find the right application to meet their needs. Also on the subjects of their apps most are very user friendly and made specifically for educational purposes. Not only do they include apps specifically made for teachers but other apps that can be used in an educational setting that cover a wide variety of topics which makes differentiating and appealing to your students on an affective level very easy. These apps are also very user friendly for both the students and the teachers using them. They have made it to where integrating this technology in the classroom can be a painless as possible.
- Apple's products have the most options when it comes to cellular connectivity. This will allow you to use the services on the device even in those areas with unstable WiFi. These services are available on all of the models of the Ipads which makes shopping for the right one more convenient because of this wide availability of the service. This means that each Ipad will be that much more dependable when using the internet features in case something happens to the WiFi you have other options.
- The size and technology available on the Ipad is ideal for the classroom environment. It is small enough so that children don't feel overwhelmed by the size and can transport it from one place to the other with ease. They are easier to carry around than a laptop and have just as many, if not the same amount of, features. Not to mention that their are other sizes to choose from, depending on what you need them for in the classroom.
Cons-
- Apple products are fairly expensive which make them harder to obtain in lower income school districts. This will prevent most schools from buying them simply because they cannot afford one for each student, which is the idea situation. Even the most basic models of Ipads can come with a pretty hefty price making it seem out of reach or not worth the cost.
2. Android (Google)
- Android has the biggest selections of tablets on the market. These selections come with a wide variety of features so it would be hard for you to not find what you were looking for when it comes to Android. They have from the smallest sized tablets to some of the largest to fit any need you may have in the classroom.
- With Android you have some of the best options when it comes to using the tablets for books. Tablets like the Kindle and Nook are made specifically for downloading and reading books which would be really handy in the classroom in replacing all of those bulky textbooks that are really expensive.
- Being with Google they have an "open" operating system which means that anyone who wants to use android can purchase it. This opens the possibilities of many more tablets in the future to those who are developing some now. It also means a wide variety of brands available in the present time. This will give schools more options before they make the decision as to which tablet they should buy. Also it allows for a lot of different and unique tablets to be available.
Cons-
- The apps don't translate well between tablets. What you can use on one tablet might not work on another. This can limit the buying potential down to only a few tablets to choose from which can make the choice harder for the schools. You want to be able to depend on the tablets to run what you need but sometimes android will not deliver in this area.
3. Windows (Microsoft)
- Has a lot more storage space than most other tablets. The Ipad goes up to around 64g whereas the Surface can have up to 128g or memory. With this kind of storage the teacher can save so much more of the students work, files or a plethora of other classroom related materials on this tablet and not worry about running out of space.
- Has usb ports unlike other tablets. This allows for external drives to be used with this tablet. If a student has a flash drive that they are using to store their work on then they can plug it into the surface, just like they would a regular computer, and be able to access that information. Going along with the physical features of the tablet, the Surface comes with a keyboard attached to it which makes typing on it so much easier. All other tablets you would have to buy the keyboard separately.
- The Surface comes with programs that we are all familiar with, such as Microsoft Office. This would allow students to use something they are already familiar with and not go through the trouble of learning a new program once they have another already pretty much mastered.
Cons-
- Variety is non existent when it comes to the Microsoft Surface, so if you do not like it then you are not buying anything that runs on Windows. Because there isn't any choices when it comes to these tablets you are stuck with the prices they have set and they are not cheap at all. Among tablets these are some of the most, if not the most, expensive ones you can buy.
So, in conclusion, from the articles I have read and the specs that I have looked at the over all winner in what tablet should be purchased for schools is the Ipad. The creators of this seemed to have educators in mind. It is so very user friendly that the students will have no problem picking it up and being able to use it without any real frustration. Also the biggest thing with Apple is the amount and availability of their Apps. There are so many out there in the App Store that are made specifically for educational purposes taking advantage of them would seem silly. The Ipad also comes in enough of a variety that you can decide what the school needs and feel as if you had plenty to look at. On the subject of the availability of cellular on the tablet, Ipad has that. It will cost a bit more in order to use this feature but if there is money in the budget then it is a wise investment. So overall Ipad definitely should be in the classroom and would help the students out tremendously.
Outstanding!
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