Of the 3, I think iPads are the best choice for multiple reasons such as cost, management (though Chromebooks are probably close), but, for me, the biggest advantage are the apps! For example, my young niece and nephew use Seeing AI on their iPads to find words around the house and have them read to them. I've shown older students how to use Office Lens to scan documents and have them read to them (Microsoft account required, either O365 or the free personal ones work, too). It's mobility, ease of using the camera to insert into documents, and a keyboard can be added. Less issue with programs not working when there's an update vs. a laptop or Chromebook. (Our first question when we get calls from people is "Is Chrome updating in the background?" which fixes things about 80% or more of the time!)
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-Karyn (@Filibuster3)
Technology Training Specialist
ISTE 2020 presenter! "Accessibility Tools Smackdown"
MIEExpert, MIETrainer, Apple Teacher, Google Certified Trainer, National Geographic Certified Educator
https://gktechies.wordpress.com/ (blog)
https://delivr.com/27zf2 (Accessibility collection)
http://bit.ly/gktechies YouTube Channel
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-15-2020 11:17
From: Alison Matthews
Subject: iPads vs. Chromebook vs. MacBook Air
Hello All,
I always appreciate your thoughts and contributions. I have to sit down with a parent who thinks the only thing lacking in our school program is laptops. We are a 1 to 1 school with iPads. Many of our teachers use various apps on the iPads aside from Google suite. I'd love to hear what your school uses, do you have a preference? I meet with this parent on Thursday morning and I would like to know what some other schools use and why?
Thanks for your feedback!
Alison
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Alison Matthews Instructional Technology Coach/Director
teacher
Green Hedges School
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