Tablets - Options/Uses

Technology is playing a bigger role in peoples lives than ever before.It is almost hard to ignore technology in every facet of our lives. People are learning differently and they learn through a vast array of devices. If schools  do not  try to implement technology in the classroom, it might be a fatal error. One of the big pushes is to have tablets in the classroom. How can tablets be beneficial for our kids? Most parents look at tablets as another distraction or gaming device they pull out to keep their children quite, but tablets can be a great instrument for our schools. Like all things, we can use it wisely and benefit or poorly and fail.   Take a look at some of the pros and cons of tablets we can use in the classroom.

Nook

 Pros: 

*Ability to make notes and references while reading.

*Software available on most devices.

*Expandable storage capacity

*Can use flash

Con:

*No Cellular Connectivity

* Cannot play or stream videos well or at all

Kindle

Pros: 

*Text to speech functionality.

* Has the richest sources of books.(access to amazon)

*Ability to use Flash

Cons:

* Very limited apps depending on model.

* Limited storage capacity.

Ipad(Apple)

Pros: 

*Has the richest source of applications(apps) This is often overlooked, but there are many apps that make up and enhance the learning interaction of the Ipad.

* Ability to organize your data,books apps etc.

*variety of options with Cellular connectivity.

Cons:

*No Flash player

*Ibooks is limited on books that can be purchased.

One particular feature that everyone must consider is the Internet connectivity for each tablet. The internet is how each tablet can download apps, books and the various other items students will use during the use of their tablet, Most tablets have wifi and is not much of a concern when accessing the internet but not all tablets have cellular internet. Cellular internet is provided by a phone company which allows for you to access the internet from anywhere, not from just a hot spot. 

Prices for connectivity depend on the provider and service that you would like. The prices to connect are a high monthly fee starting around $100 a month.

It would be more cost effective for schools to invest in good internet with top of the line wireless routers than to invest the money in cellular internet for a lot of tablets. Certainly one issue may be overloading the wifi network, but the need for cellular for every tablet is limited if unneeded. I could see the usefulness of some select tablets within the school system having them,, but almost everyone has the ability or can find a location for wifi if the students needed or were allowed to take them home.

When considering which tablet might be good for kids at school we have to look at a variety of criteria. One major point is cost, the cost of the tablet will be a major factor when deciding on a device because many will be purchased. by far the kindle and nook are the cheapest options. Another factor is the resources. These tablets are going to be used in the classroom for educational purposes and it is important to be able to have a vast array of resources to use. Amazon really has some good options when it comes to the ability of resources. Another factor in determining the right tablet is the ability for it to be used, the interface with the Ipad allows any user the effortless ease to move from watching a movie to suddenly reading an article. When making the final decision on what tablet might be right for the classroom, it might be wise to consider what tablet can offer you the most options and abilities to learn.