iPads or Chromebooks for Students?

[Col_StaR]

For a little context, I volunteer at my old high school as a tech support specialist, and I also act as a volunteer adult consultant for the newly-founded Coding Club (where we teach high school kids how to program in C++ and Java). The school has zero on-site tech support and has a wealth of desktop PC's of varying-but-generally-well-working status around campus (that will likely be scrapped). The school recently received a large grant from the state, so assume it is just enough. And I estimate that 20% of the student population does not have a desktop PC at home.

Recently, I discovered that my school received a large grant by the state, and the school administrators are planning on using the money to give every student an electronic device to help their students become more effective and technologically adept. Despite doing little research and showing little effort in preparing students and faculty for the change-over, the school must now decide whether they want to give every student an iPad or a Chromebook.

The school wants the devices to be geared especially towards academic usage. They want the device to be used as a textbook replacement, so they plan to integrate with publishers' Integrated Learning Systems (ILS) so that they have one set of e-textbooks across all subjects for the entire school. They also want students to be able to write essays and papers, and collaborate with each other as well. Lastly, they want students to be able to use their devices for the California Exit Exams (which is all digital now for some reason).

So now the question on the faculty's mind is which is better for student usage: iPads or Chromebooks?

Considering that much of our community is of the high school age, I figured I would get some opinions from you folks as well. Thinking of the device as purely an academic resource in the hands of the average student, which device do you think is better?

 

[smashmaster]

I wish you could teach me how to code...Anyway when it comes to tablets...I can't believe im going to say this but I like a..a.apple. This is just because I know how to use them well so im sure this isn't much help .

 

[MoLoToV]

Definitely a chromebook, it has many more features to offer than an Ipad, and is easier to use. Not to mention that it's easier to write on then on an Ipad ( which could resolved with an external keyboard for the Ipad, but I'm not sure if the school would include that aswell. )

Even if the school is planning on using only certain programs which are all available on the Ipad aswell, in the future they might need different programs which might not be supported by an Ipad.

I'm currently also using laptops on my school, and I personally believe it's the best way to go.

 

[Mirko]

I have an iPad for the school, and it's not good for it, we play all the day

 

[Trilexium]

Chromebook. Software is much more available on PC platforms than tablet platforms.

 

[Zaex]

For a Chromebook (From my personal experiences) It keeps to Google's made OS, which can be limiting in many ways. Chrome the browser itself is on there, but to my knowledge, it's the only browser it allows you to have. Otherwise, it seems hard to install new plugins and apps that aren't Google-related.
With an iPad, it wouldn't be AS hard to download programs to help code and etc, but it would be a bump in the road. It does well with the textbooks and assessments part, though. With the FaceTime program and Google-compatible apps (Like Docs, Mail, ect. They all have apps for Apple that sync real-time) it seems like it would be better to keep the student and teacher (or student) more in touch.

This is just my personal experience w/ both devices, and my opinion on the matter.

 

[StickyGamingHD]

Definitely the chromebook! Great for school and if you do it is also great for locks ect..

 

[Cubes]

My school does a very similar thing. We took on a system of Macbook Air computers for the high school students, and iPad 2s for the younger students. Over the last year or so, I've been doing both technical support and configuration on both. Purely from the experience, I find the Macbooks so much easier to use in terms of functionality. Based on your specific needs for the technology, I feel like the Chromebooks would be the better decision. iPads definitely have their uses, but my experience with technical support and configuration leaves me greatly in favor of the Chromebooks.

 

[JaviGBU]

I personally use a MacBook , but I think the best in that options is iPad , in my opinion

 

[TemWithPhiIIy67]

Paper and pencil.

 

[Boboaluitz]

As a Junior at a highschool that had just made this decision, I was rather disappointing when I heard that they had opted for the iPad/Apple decision. Now their choice makes more sense, but it all depends on your situation.

My school is an integrated k/12, meaning every grade is in the same school. They had a technology cutoff grade at grade 4. Most people agree that A.) iPads are less breakable when in a sturdy case and B.) iPads functions are way simpler, making them a better choice for Grade 4's use. You can keep a class involved pretty easily with interaction from client to teacher. But in high school it just makes more sense to have laptops.

The most compatible but most annoying file type we use on almost every assignment is .pdf. Apple's unique and separate file types makes it frustrating for most people to upload or open files from other people. People were given free choices of what editing apps to use, which resulted in several different file types. With chromebooks, it mitigates the amount of files that need to be converted, as well as allowing people to transfer files more easily to home computers/each others computers using USBs. With iPads, the best and one of the only functional ways of sharing work is through Google Docs, since the regulating software wipes the iPad once you plug it into a computer (what).

Now, Chromebooks aren't a heavenly designed laptop. They are mainly utilitarian. Without much capability, you can't have heavy editing softwares or intensive 3d simulations. To be fair, you can't really have them on the iPad either. They are also rumored to be slightly more problematic (which I can see for Grade 4, but not for highschoolers who can do some basic IT problem solving-off and on). It's true these PCs are more of a product plug than the standard liberated laptops which you can download whatever applications you desire, but that being said they offer necessary and basic school functions without much hassle. The keyboard is nice, too.

Also, my school is having problem with App regulation in every grade. Of course people will find loopholes in technology. Most of the student body has 'prohibited' games downloaded from the app store that shouldn't exist. It appears for a moment in a system test, and then hundreds of games flow in. I don't know how the Chromebook would be any different, but I have a feeling it could be different.

Over all, I think the iPad is better for information and interaction, the chomebook is better for essays and notes.

 

[Fox]

iPad

1. In-screen keyboard
2. Multi-touch screen
3. Apple Store
4. iBooks Store
5. Portable
6. IOS

Chromebook

1. Built-in Keyboard
2. Chrome OS
3. Google Play Store
4. Portable

In both you can write essays, what-not, however the Chromebook will most likely be better at this since the keyboard is built-in, unlike iPads were you have the in-screen keyboard.
Chromebooks won't have at all an issue with sharing and collaborating since everything is on the Cloud, and Chrome OS revolves around Google. However, iPad revolves around IOS which is compatible with any other device made by Apple. So, these both have no problem for these two needs the school is striving for.
As far as E-books go, both Apple and Chrome OS are compatible with Amazon Kindle, PDF, etc. Apple has the iBook store which loads PDF books. Personally, I think I'd enjoy reading text-books on an iPad since the shape of an iPad is ergonomic in comparison to a normal book, and a computer, in this case the Chromebook, isn't book-shaped at all.

As far as what is easier to go: Chromebooks. An iPad simply isn't as easy to use as a Chromebook. iPads are limited to IOS, were Chromebooks at least got a fully-functional, Operative System. What I mean here is that, despite Chrome OS revolving around Google Play and Cloud storage, computers are just easier for Writing, organizing and sharing.
On the other hand: iPads. iPads are very comfortable for reading, they're very portable, easy to use, but not the best for writing.

I wouldn't personally choose either of these, I would opt for any Apple Laptops. With a Macbook Air, you really do get the best of both worlds, the best from an iPad and a Chromebook.