[plug] iPads in WA schools

[Craig Foster]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: plug [mailto:plug-bounces at plug.org.au] On Behalf Of David Dartnall
> Sent: Monday, 8 April 2013 2:22 PM
> To: plug at plug.org.au
> Subject: Re: [plug] iPads in WA schools
> 
> On 08/04/13 13:12, Michael Van Delft wrote:
> > I used to be the sysadmin in a high school and I was vehemently
> > opposed to iPads.
> >
> > Partly because of the closed nature of the device (Can’t develop for
> > it without a $99 USD Developers license, need iTunes, can't
> > repair/modify it, etc…) and partly because I don’t believe that
> > tablets (be they iOS, Android or any other OS) are useful in a
> > classroom when you can buy a netbook that can do more for less. They
> > are fine for consuming media (e.g watch a video, read a book, look at
> > pictures, check email) but useless for producing it. It took a bit of
> > explaining that they were not a good idea for an English class to do
> > essays. I pointed out to many teachers with dreams of a class full of
> > reports and classwork getting done on iPads the lack of office suite
> > and even with one; you can type quicker on a laptop/netbook.
> >
> > The one redeeming feature I found was the “Shiny” factor. We had a
> > problem with attendance and kids skipping class but in classes where
> > they got to play with an iPad we had markedly better attendance rates.
> > I don’t know how much sinks in when they are sitting up the back
> > playing angry birds with their mates but it’s got to be better than
> > skipping class and tagging up the local skate park.
> >
> > Interestingly not long after I left they bought a bunch of MacBooks and iPads.
> > _______________________________________________
> Fully agree with your argument.
> Wonder of it's possible to find out who the "they" are and ask for "their"
> response.
> Might be interesting...
> Dave
> _______________________________________________

I'm playing Devil's advocate here, but I work with the multi-OS servers than mange them...

MacBook Pointy-end time...

1-to-1 requires students have local admin or else home printers don't install, wireless settings, install updates, etc.
Local admin require they not be prone to stupid-as email Trojans or infected warez downloads.
We manage the fleet using Casper which handles policy management, policy violations, machine monitoring, self-service package installation (according to machine and user group membership), and imaging with built-in package additions given group memberships. 
We can have a machine time-machined, completely re-imaged, and restored by time-machine within an hour. 
Because of the mono-culture we can have a qualified hardware service agent onsite who is paid on warranty chargebacks to Apple.
Being Mac OS X, people have a limited set of me-too programs, meaning they don't come and ask for a meellion different crapware programs that *must* be on their machine.
Sure there are a few BootCamped machines for CompSci, CAD, and Maths Teachers using Efofex software but it's minimal.

iPad pointy-end time...

Until volume licensing, schools could buy one app and have it install on 5 machines under the one teachers control. Grey area, but valid in the eyes of struggling schools.
NO MALWARE.
Easy backup and restore.
Lasts for ages on battery.
You know what software is on there and you can't add software without knowing the AppStore password.
Even a 4 year old can adequately operate an iPad.
No moving parts, not even hinges or removable batteries.
It brings in well-to-do parents when you see that many shiny MacBook Pros or even MacBooks.

It's not complete, it's not balanced, but it's what educators and ILT support sees...

Craig F.