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| Fernando. (2014). iPad vs chromebook. [Graphic]. Retrieved from http://fernandotech.com/?p=42 |
Chris Casal, a very qualified & experienced technology director, does a great job of approaching this debate from a non-biased perspective where his goal is to help educators make decisions based on what their goals are for using the technology, not what's "better" or "cheaper." He appreciates the benefits of using each one, and continually experiments with what accomplishes his school's learning outcomes best:
I reached out to Mr. Casal and emailed him the following message. I am hoping to hear back from him soon:
"Mr. Casal,
I just looked through your Chromebook vs iPads: What's best for your school or classroom needs?
presentation and thought it was very insightful. Thanks so much for sharing it!
I am a 4th grade teacher that currently has access to a mobile cart of chromebooks shared with the 5th & 6th grade classrooms. There are enough for each of my students to use one. I plan on scheduling time for them to use them each day for typing, spellingcity, and ALEKS math facts. I haven't thought beyond that for how to use them, since I will be sharing them and don't know how much or how often the other classrooms will be using them. If they were permanently in my classroom though, I would suspect that I would utilize them for more activities such as research, typing writing assignments with GAFE, coding, designing stuff for our 3D printer, and creating original music, videos, and presentations. I also want to create a makerspace focused on STEAM activities. So my question for you is, if I had enough money to get enough iPads or chromebooks for all of my students to permanently stay in the classroom, what would you recommend and why?
Sincerely,
Chris Duckett
4th Grade Teacher (newly hired)
I sent the same message to two other prominent technology educators, and look forward to receiving their responses to it.
One was Pamela Jimison, M.Ed., who has 25+ years of experience in the K-12 classroom and has been a technology coordinator and principal. She wrote a great article for ISTE in 2014 titled, Are tablets better than laptops for 1:1? You should read it to find out her recommendations! The neat thing about her is that I realized that she lives only 30min from me, so it might be possible to go learn from her in person at some point!
Pamela actually responded to my email within minutes! Here is her response:
In continuing my quest to figure out which device would be best for my classroom, I came across this informative chart. Although this infographic is from 2013, the comparisons are still relatively similar and relevant.
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| Rao, A. (2013). iPad vs. Chromebook: A Comparison of Key Features. [Infographic]. Retrieved from https://teachbytes.com/category/11/ |
- What technology do I already have, and how will this new purchase complement that as far a student learning outcomes?
- What can my school afford? (Or should I propose a fundraising campaign?)
- What specific activities and learning outcomes do I want my students to accomplish with the device?
- In other words, do I want a device more as a supplemental, artistic (A/V), interactive, hands-on, offline or online, creative tool with tons of apps to choose from (iPad), or do I want more of an all-purpose, research-friendly, typing, online dependent, collaborative, creating, and standard workhorse tool (chromebook)?
- Do I care about battery life or physical space it takes up?
- Will students need to input various media into it?
In conclusion, since I already have access to a 1:1 chromebook environment for part of the day, I think that my classroom would most benefit from more chromebooks that could be permanently housed in our classroom AS WELL AS some iPads.
Yes, you read correctly....I would like BOTH! :) Why enjoy the benefits of just one type of device when we might be able to benefit from both! I'm not a teacher dedicated to using only products from one type of organization, I'm a use-what-would-be-most-beneficial-when-possible type of teacher!
Hi Chris!
ReplyDeleteAnother great post. Something I figured I would share with you: before the school year was over I was talking to one of our technicians. We were talking about the students from the elementary school moving up to the middle school and she told me that most of the students who are coming through our district are so much more used to touch screens and tablet culture that they usually have to teach them how to use a mouse! Now, I couldn't say if that is the same for all students, but I found it interesting that it seems like the way of life for my district's students could be affecting the future technology preferences of our district (we have started a 1:1 iPad movement in the high school, but sadly no trickle down as of yet). In your years have you experienced anything like that?
Thanks!
-Tom
Thanks Tom. That is interesting what you have observed from elementary to middle school. Since I'm going to teach 4th grade, and the 1st-3rd graders may be using iPads, I'll probably see similar things. But I am happy to be the one to introduce the correct touch typing technique to them because I am such a strong supporter of proper typing technique! You can really see the difference between good and bad technique when you compare my parents - my mom is a seasoned secretary that types 100+wpm, and my dad is a hunt-and-peck typist that is much slower. Although, he does fine in his job and typed many papers while studying for his MBA.
DeleteHi Tom,
DeleteGreat reply. I have heard rumblings of similar experiences over the past few years. In fact, I repeatedly hear concerns from teachers that kids have lost the ability to type properly and suggestions that we should refocus attention to teaching these skills. Essentially, the loss of typing skills is a direct byproduct of the touch-screen culture. When our students are at home (or when they are in school for that matter) they are usually using either a smartphone or tablet. As a result, they are receiving very little practice using a traditional keyboard.
Hi Chris! Great job reaching out, it seems that iPads and Chromebooks are quite comparable in being an effective 1:1 classroom tool. In reflecting on your questions toward my situation, I would see that the cost of technology in the classroom may be a factor for many districts. Seeing that chrome books are sometimes more affordable, I can see why they may be more common in certain situations. That being said, I know google has an outstanding host of apps that would be able to handle many different learning activities. However, in situations where certain apps are preferred, I can see the iPad as advantageous. I wonder, is having access to a keyboard an essential consideration in your opinion? Some may say that students can use mobile devices just as effectively and efficiently as laptop style devices. In the classroom, does having a keyboard have unique advantages? I enjoyed your post, thank you!
ReplyDelete-Kevin
Good question. The Adventist Education system that I work for wants us to start introducing typing in grades 3-5, and since I'm teaching 4th grade, my students need to have access to a good keyboard.
DeleteOther than that reason, I'm not too strong either way for chromebooks or iPads. Keyboards definitely give an advantage with writing assignments and research, and once again, since the 4th grade standards I teach include "With support, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing (using grade-appropriate keyboarding skills), as well as to interact and collaborate (W.4.6)."
Hi Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI am can add bit to this discussion. I recently visited a school district that has implemented a 1:1 program for grades K-12. Their decision was to go 1:1 with Chromebooks in grades 2-12 and 1:1 with tablets in K-1. Their reasoning was that the K-1 segment benefits more from touch screen because they do not have fully developed typing/mouse skills. Furthermore, they felt touchscreen technology was engaging for this segment. Conversely, they preferred the Chromebook for 2-12 because it lends itself to more work intense tasks (due to the keyboard).
Hi Chris!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and could relate to many of your points. I also thought Pam Jimison's response to you was very useful as she seems to have much experience with teaching and technology. I have to agree with you when it comes to choosing technology; I think the more different types of technology that we expose our students to, the better. Doing so will only help them gain experience and become comfortable with technology, eventually preparing them to be flexible when potentially troubleshooting technology in their future.
Yes, and that's why I try to be as flexible as I can with technology in my classroom. It's a learning environment, and so the variety of devices can not only appeal to certain students, but it also exposes them to the various operating systems so that they are more adept at using whatever is put in front of them.
Delete