qwwera

Akamine said:

I think Apple has its models ready one year before their launch. i8 was ready since last September. Then they have one year ahead only for fine tuning the software. 

macxpress said:

qwwera said:

macxpress said:

qwwera said:

There is no need for schools as underfunded as they are to use Apple products. Much too expensive for a product that is moving at such a quick pace. And much too expensive in how brutal a classroom will be towards them. And no way for a overtaxed teacher to fiddle with since there is no way to easily configure a classroom of iOS devices remotely. 

Ios as it is today is not classroom friendly on the OS side or the cost side. 
This coming from an education side and with friends on the inside as well. Chrome books are the best solution for that classroom. This is an unbiased response. Just the sobering truth.

With proper management tools, you can configure and manage iOS devices (and Macs) remotely very easily. Its called an MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution. We use Jamf Pro to manage our iPads (and our Macs) and its great. I can have all the management setup before the iPads even get at our door so when we take them out of the box we could literally just hand them out and after connecting them to wifi, they set themselves up automatically along with pushing any necessary apps, web clips, setting up folder layouts, restricting what apps they can use (include the App/iTunes Store), etc, etc. Yes, its a pain in the butt managing them individually, or using Apple Configurator...its very easy to manage them using an MDM and a good MDM. 

You can also use a management system provided to Google to manage ChromeBooks and you can use SCCM to manage Windows devices. All platforms have a management solution. Some work better than others and some are restricted by what the device can or can't do. 

I see what you're saying, and if a school could hire a dedicated IT guy for the teachers that would be great. But have you seen how underfunded and overworked teachers are?
nit only that, you have a huge percentage of teachers who's kids are far more proficient with technology than teachers. 
Yes this is a temporary thing as a swath of teachers head for retirement, but in the meantime it's pretty dire.

one thing that's crazy is how much busywork the teachers have leaped upon them because of the lack of incorporation of newish technologies into the classroom, ... not even speaking for the kids, but for the teachers and administrators. It's busywork hell.
again it's a generational thing that will eventually work its way out, but the sooner the better.

What most schools fail to do is provide professional development for staff's technical needs. This happens with all kinds of BYOD and 1-to-1 programs. They slap devices in teachers/students laps and just say well here you...figure it out! This happens with not only iPads, but also ChromeBooks, Windows based laptops, etc. Its really hard and expensive to pull off successfully. You need EVERYONE to work together and have a purpose and goal for this type of program. I guarantee you just about every single time you hear about a BYOD or 1-to-1 initiative failing its because of lack of planning, and professional development.