Tablet Options/ Tablet Uses

Tablet Sizes

Our school Principal is inclined to consider the smallest iPod/mp3 type of devices. They are up to 5" and able to fit in the pocket. However, limited screen prohibits some uses.

In the market, There are medium size devices with a screen of 6" to 7" and large ones with a screen of 8" to 11".The medium device can be held in one hand for a period of time while it's too heavy to do it for the large device.For a variety of educational purposes, I suggest the Principal consider the medium or large devices such as iPad, Amazon Kindle, Barns & Noble Nook, Generic Android and Surface Windows RT.

The Pros and Cons of the Three Types of Systems

1.IOS-Apple

Apple's graphic user interface and systems are very easy to use and attractive for educational applications. Apple's main tablet products are iPod touch and iPad. iPad is now allowed the development of interactive school textbooks, for Apple connected education to build apps for iPod touch and easily transferred to iPad. With a camera added to the second generation of the iPad met the need of the creative Web 2.0 applications schools had begun using.With satisfactory upgraded screen and camera quality, along with faster processors in 2012, iPad has been rapidly adopted in schools.Apple shows overall strengths in the aspects of apps, internet and software. While Apple systems sound very appealing, the prices are comparably high so that some schools may not be able to afford its products. iPads vary from $499 to $699 while Mini iPad and iPad 2 offer low price from $329 to $399.

2. Android (Google)

Begun with a search engine company, Google's initiate to digitize books in a large scale shows a successful progression of thought in service to offer.Google financed the development of Android operating system until it became Google acquisition in 2005. As a service company, Google developed an "open" operating system and would sell Android to any company that would apply it to their hardware.It owns quite a few tablet products including Amazon Kindle, Barns&Noble Nook, Generic Android and Google Nexus, of which Amazon Kindle and Nook are the most popular Android tablets. Amazon's strength is in the book trade. Amazon Kindle as an e-reader selling books is as successful as Apple's iTunes selling music.Especially after its fourth generation touchscreen Kindle Fire HD and the fifth one paperwhite Kindle, Amazon Kindle is clearly trying to compete iPad in the market.Android's tablets are cheaper varying mainly from $159 to $299 and have small screen of 7". However,neither Kindle nor Nook is supported in the larger Android environment.Even though the newest Kindle provides music, movies and app functions, it still has limited educational application.Compared to Apple, Android system has slower processors.It is acknowledged that Google has been struggling with serving too many manufacturers with an open Android system.

3. Windows (Microsoft)

Microsoft long has held strong position in computer software in Windows operating system. Besides,Microsoft's Xbox has been a leader in games systems. However,a Windows operating system for tablet like the surface Windows RT launched in 2012 floundered unfortunately. The surface comes with two different keyboard cover options, which makes it difficult to do productivity work.

Conclusion

After analyzing the pros and cons of three types of systems and their products,apparently Apple and Android are beneficial to educational purposes depending on what function the schools focus on and their budget.If schools are in need of e-readers only, Android will be a better option with much cheaper costs. If they look for a multimedia device meeting the interactive and creative Web 2.0 applications and have a flexible finance, I would recommend Apple tablet-iPad with an excelling combination of various functions.

Reference Articles:

1. IOS-Apple
2. Android (Google)
3. Windows (Microsoft)
4. Tablet Uses
5. Tablets in Education