Should the iPad be allowed in schools?

[Wyrdstorm]

It depends where it is, and who is funding it, as at the moment the world economy in most places is screwed...and if it was left to the parents to provide them...what about the ones who couldnt afford it, same reasons uniforms for schools came in, to stop the bullying of the well off/poorer families

[TangoEight]

A school near where I live recently offered pupils ipads and only a few pupils bought them. I'm not sure what the intentions were but now they barely use them. If you want tablets to succeed in schools you need all of the pupils to have them and a practical way of managing the devices. Tablets aren't going to be universal in a school if they are optional and it is up to the pupils to buy them, even at a reduced price through the school and none of the major tablet operating systems offer a way of managing hundreds of devices on a network from a single computer.

[migo]

I'd say no for elementary school. High School and later not such a big deal, mainly due to the effect of screens on eyesight. Young children should be using eInk or Mirasol devices only.

[44MLX]

We going to the future where technology is taking over let them use Tablets.

[ahhell]

There definatly was debates about allowing calculators in school before highschool, when you got to highschool they allowed them for stuff like calculus... but I definatly remember in the 90's debates about calculators for younger students

This.

Kids today have no idea how to do anything without some electronic device in their hands. We weren't allowed to use calculators in school either except for more advanced math classes and even those were closely monitored.

[Miuku.]

Times change, tools change, get over it.

If they want to use pads/laptops/whatever - go ahead. It's the inevitable progress and you either embrace it or you're left behind.

[soldier1st]

The iPad should not be allowed as: It's too restrictive and over 85% of the apps cost something.

[The_Decimator]

Meanwhile, I can put LibreOffice on my Windows 8 Tablet PC... I kid, I kid! (Although that is true...)

[Miuku.]

Actually LibreOffice is available for iPad :p

[The_Decimator]

Actually LibreOffice is available for iPad :p

Oh... well.... okay then. xD

[FMH]

We need a poll for this thread. Ask a mod to ad one. :)

[123456789A]

If the question is if kids can bring their own personal ipads that they/their parents buy for them to school to aid them in their learning, then sure.

If the question is if tax dollars should be used to purchase every student one of these expensive products, then no.

[Royalty]

The original way (paper and pen) is how we all should do it.

[Miuku.]

The original way (paper and pen) is how we all should do it.

I went to med school, had my laptop everywhere. Pen? Paper? What is this, the dark ages?

[Elliott]

If a kid can learn better using an iPad, then why not allow it?

[Royalty]

I went to med school, had my laptop everywhere. Pen? Paper? What is this, the dark ages?

Lol troll? You obviously know what I mean by "the original way of school". It means paper and pen if you didn't know.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

As someone who works for a company, and especially a department, where every single asset is now delivered to our sales force via the iPad, I would have to say a resounding yes.

Because I am responsible for the technology that trains that sales force, which is 2500 strong, I am well aware since we implement software that literally whole companies whose sole existence is literally built upon applications for the classroom setting, that a whole, whole lot can be done with the iPad and "the student." These are not apps you find on the App Store. They are apps that need to be deployed with a MDM solution (mobile device management) and through an enterprise license. So these are not mainstream apps. They are the type of apps that 95% of people never heard of or even know that they exist until they have the need to find them.

Said apps let you control all aspects of the classroom such as any and all documents needed for the class itself. Full curriculum management. ARS systems (audience response systems), assessments (tests) and those are the bigger features. There are a whole host of other smaller features that make management of a classroom setting extemely streamlined.

Now obviously it depends on the schools budget, etc., but based on what I have seen accomplished in my workplace in classroom scenarios, as I said, my vote is a resounding yes.

I will also say I believe wether you like or hate the iPad, it does more or less represent the future of computing. And that is the convergence of mobile and laptop devices. So might as well also prep the students for what they will be dealing with in the not to distant future.

I will also add, I believe only students of a certain age should get them as well. No reason or need why they should be in a middle school for example. That is when the students should still be honing their fundamental skills. If they cannot read a book or write on a piece of paper, you cannot expect them to do so on a computer. Pretty simple stuff when it comes down to it.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

alternate to the OP

not so much an iPad for schools but a Kindle would work much better with a much more affordable cost to the school in regard to replacing text books (many schools and colleges are actually talking about doing this already)

[pack34]

I can support a tablet for schools. I've been relying on my tabletPC heavily in grad school and I feel it could be greatly beneficial. Especially when using a program like OneNote that can record audio of the lecture and match it to what you wrote at the time. It wouldn't necessarily be useful for elementary or middle school but I could see it as a great asset in high school where slide decks may be relied upon for lessons.

I just really can't get behind using tax dollars for any Apple products. They tend to be marked up higher and you can get more bang for your buck with Microsoft or Linux based electronics.

[mudslag]

No. You can not draw as well on a Ipad as you can on real paper, with real materials. Not without spending a lot more money on a bunch of other crap for it.

Schools should be teaching fundementals

http://www.merriam-w...ary/fundamental

Look it up. If they don't teach fundementals, if technology goes away for some crazy reason, society will be screwed. You teach the basics, that way, there is always something to improve upon and with. Does no good to teach a young hunter how to only hunt with the most sophisticated hunting rifle, when he will need more core knowledge most likely on more rudimentary elements and devices.

In what sense are you talking about, art or learning something like cursive writing? In those particular cases I can understand but in almost everyone other case the ipad, as a general tool for school shines above all else. The cost of printed books is asinine and digital books can offer so much more. The interactive abilities will not only make learning easier but more fun for many students. Digital devices wont be fully replacing pen and paper fully anytime soon but things like basic handwriting skills are learned at a much younger age anyway. Plus its much easier to carry around a digital device then a book bag full of heavy books and tools that can all be used on one device.

[Midge]

I've just ordered 30 for our school, times change and technology should be embraced, i love how so many whine its apple, but would be perfectly fine for an android device to take its place...

its a tool...

[neufuse Veteran]

speaking of this, this really ****es me off... a district here just said they are ordering $557,000! of iPads for students and teachers thats about 1,000 ish of them... all students above 6th grade get one... but just a month ago the district was saying they are over $1.5 million over budget for next year... now we add this crap! oh and to pay for the new iPads, the are furloughing 10 teachers! WTF! At what point are people going to realize technology doesn't replace teachers

they had a choice of the iPads or replace existing desktop systems and smart boards... they chose the $557,000 option over a $100,000 option! Sometimes I just do not understand schools

[Brandon H Supervisor]

speaking of this, this really ****es me off... a district here just said they are ordering $557,000! of iPads for students and teachers thats about 1,000 ish of them... all students above 6th grade get one... but just a month ago the district was saying they are over $1.5 million over budget for next year... now we add this crap! oh and to pay for the new iPads, the are furloughing 10 teachers! WTF! At what point are people going to realize technology doesn't replace teachers

wow, talk about not having priorities straight

[moloko]

I can see it replacing books in higher end schools or private schools but not public yet. Too many poor familys to do this. I do think it should be an option but how do you deal with a stolen tablet? does the child then get a paper book? I think that is the big thing. Theft. bullies would have a field day on the way home. they will beat up and take the tablet from the little geeky kid. The gets home and his abusive drunk father will beat the **** out of him and sell the ipad to get more beer for him and his junky gf.

[Daedroth]

Students aged 11-16 shouldn't be allowed to bring their own iPad into schools, because it causes problems ranging from bullying, theft or damage (I know because I work in a school).

If iPads were to be used, they should be provided by the school, configured specifically for school and locked away when not used. However kids find numerous ways to break or make the device unusable in some way.

iPads in large secondary schools is simply not financially viable unless you have very well behaved students.