Hardware
There are a number of tablets that can be considered for the classroom. All tablets can be fitted with a Blue Tooth keyboard if needed for extended typing assignments. Following is a list of tablets available for the various operating systems and general specifications an price ranges.
- WiFi or WiFi + LTE connectivity options
- battery-life of up to 10 hours
- weight: 673g
- thickness: 9.4mm
- price: $499+
Android: variety of brands such as Samsung, Motorola, Asus, Google Nexus, Amazon Kindle Fire and Vizio
- WiFi or WiFi + LTE connectivity options
- battery-life of 8-10 hours depending on model
- weight: varies in models, some have keyboards, USB ports and SD card slots
- thickness: varies
- price: $199+
Windows: Surface Pro (specs shown below); Surface RT
- currently, the windows tablets do not offer LTE or mobile connectivity- they connect to WiFi only
- battery-life of approximately 4 hours
- weight: 907g
- thickness: 13.5mm
- price: $899+
Software
iOS:
Apple is the King of Apps with an app store catering solely to educational apps boasting 20,000 selections. A teacher could get overwhelmed with all of the choices, but may find the results well worth the search. A quick Google Search will yield countless websites that offer recommended apps for the iPad. Some resources are:
http://www.appitic.com/
http://prezi.com/swceiv2g3bbt/60-educational-apps-in-60-minutes/
One has to keep in mind that not all apps made by Apple are available in an Android or Windows friendly format, so when considering a BYOD policy, teachers would have to remember that not all students will be able to access all Apple apps.
Android:
Google is making a hard push into the educational realm with the development of Google Play for Education which will be released Fall 2013 (however, shouldn't it be released this summer to give teachers time to shop it, download from it and design curriculum and lessons for the upcoming school year?). The apps that will be available for download are teacher-tested and recommended.
Suggestions for some Android apps to use in the classroom: 7 Must-Have Android Tablet Apps For the Classroom
The Android operating systems even have specific class management software options such as SmartClass, shown below.
Windows:
Because the Windows-based tablet runs the full-blown version of the Desktop Windows 8, the tablets will be able to use any software that is Windows-friendly. The teacher will have to keep in mind that not all of these programs will be touch compatible, so the students may find need for the use of a mouse at times. Windows does have its own app store with many quality selections. Thanks to a new (free) app called BlueStacks, any PC or windows tablet with Windows 7 or 8 can also now run all android apps.
