TECH #1

Tablets in the Classroom

Although I have not had much experience with different types of tablets, I believe each type of operating system comes with its pros and cons. I will go through the Apple, Google, and Windows operating systems to find a few positives to each, as well as at least one negative aspect of each. I will also include a section on the different types of tablet sizes. I will then discuss how these findings can relate to a school setting so an informed decision can be reached as to which one would be the best choice for classrooms.

iOS (Apple)
From the little experience I have had with tablets, most of it has come from using an iPad. I also have an iPhone, so I am more used to this type of operating system.

Pros
1. The first pro to the Apple system is that it is very user friendly. Before I had an iPhone I was able to pick up an iPad or iPhone and use them easily. When I got an iPhone it was very easy for me to adapt to using it.
2. Has a lot of storage space.
3. For the most part, apps are the same across iPads and iPhones. With the different types of Android tablets, apps are not always the same for each one. Some are designed specifically for a certain type of tablet and my not be available for a different type of tablet within the Android operating system.

Cons
1. Not as rich in the book market as some tablets in the Android market.

Android (Google)

Pros
1. Probably the best choice of operating system when it comes to downloading and using books on a tablet.
2. The Amazon Kindle goes a step further in offering video streaming straight from the library instead of requiring downloading.
3. Some Android tablets have better battery life than iPads.

Cons
1. The different types of tablets will only use apps specifically designed for them. The apps are not available across all different types of Android tablets.

Windows (Microsoft)

Pros
1. The Windows Surface comes with ports, while other types of tablets may not.
2. Uses standard Windows 7 software, making it the same as computers which use Windows 7 software.
3. Large screen; great for video display.

Cons
1. Windows does not include book downloading.
2. Not focused on apps.

Tablet Sizes
When it comes to the size of tablets, there are three choices: a small one, which would be similar to the size of a cell phone; a medium one, ranging from about 5"-7"; and a large one, ranging from about 8"-10". In order to be used in classrooms, small tablets wouldn't do much good, since they would be closer to the size of a cell phone. That leaves us with figuring out if medium or large tablets would work better in a classroom setting. Medium sized tablets would be easier to hold onto or hold with one hand. Larger tablets would be the easiest to read on because they have a larger screen. They also will be able to display larger videos and photos. When it comes to a classroom, I would suggest choosing the larger tablet. They may be a little more difficult to hold, but the display is larger and they are still small enough to be moved around more easily than a computer.

Cellular
Cellular means the tablet would have cellular capability and connect to a cellular phone tower. The tablet would need to have the cellular capabilities built in as well as a cellular contract. This would be like setting up a phone contract with your tablet, or adding it to an already existing contract. This could affect the discussion about which type of tablet the school should go with because it presents another option. The nice thing about cellular is that you do not need wifi in order to use all the applications, because the device can use cellular data. But since the tablets will mainly be used in a school, cellular may not necessarily be needed. The use of cellular would require a contract, which would be one more thing to add, whereas without it, the tablets could still connect to the internet wherever there is wifi available and the password is known.

In the Classroom
When it comes to deciding which type of tablet would be best in the classroom, there are a few different ones to choose from. We have to look at what the tablets would be used for the most. In a classroom, tablets could be used for different things, such as downloading and reading books, web surfing, playing games, using apps, showing videos, and much more. They would also be used by students, some of which would be young students. We would not want anyone to have difficulty using the tablets. We would want something easy for everyone to use. It was more difficult to find negative aspects to the iOS operating system. They offer one type of tablet so it is the same across the board. The iOS tablets and phones are even pretty similar to one another.  Even though it may not be quite as good with books as some tablets within the Android operating system, it still does a great job with those. I believe an iOS or Android device would be better for a classroom setting than a tablet with the Windows operating system. Windows devices seem more geared toward business. If choosing a device from the Android operating system, there are different ones to choose from. More thought would then need to go into that.

I think that any type of tablet device would be beneficial in the classroom, no matter which one it is. Tablets have a lot to offer teachers and students. No matter which one is chosen, I think they can have a positive impact.