Apple Scores $30 Million iPad Contract from L.A. Unified School District [Updated]

[coolspot18]

While it's cool, I really think there are better ways to spend the money.

And really, for educational use, a lower priced Android tablet would do - You can buy 3 - 6 for the price of 1. Plenty of replacements!

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But anyway, in truly left wondering how LAUSD could justify this expense. Does this someone come out to be cheaper than books (or other supplies these tablets may replace)? I ask because they are hurting badly for money.

Yeah, it's no wonder why LAUSD schools are among the worst in the nation ... they spend money on the wrong projects!

Like I said earlier, the iPads are cool, but surely there are better places to spend the money, or cheaper options that accomplish most of the goals.

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This kind of innovation is exactly what schools need - a new way of making learning more engaging.

We'll see next year if test scores are up, I highly doubt it.

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Computer penetration/integration is huge in Canada, our educational statistics prove it's a good thing.

It's not due to computer technology, it's due to a better funded school system, a social welfare system that reduces the gap between rich and poor, and qualified teachers.

I would say we do better because of our social system rather than technology per se.

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Do you know how much school districts spend on textbooks? Do some research for you spread your FUD.

Yes, but surely not all the books have been licensed. This is only the base cost...

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iPad is cheaper then a desktop computer.

This is false, the school district can easily acquire well equipped desktops/laptops for 1/2 the price, and those PCs can do more than that iPad.

Perhaps not as mobile, or convenient, but nevertheless still more powerful.

 

[lordofthereef]

This is false, the school district can easily acquire well equipped desktops/laptops for 1/2 the price, and those PCs can do more than that iPad.

Perhaps not as mobile, or convenient, but nevertheless still more powerful.

Comparing the iPads to a PC replacement isn't wise. I say this because, aside from perhaps web browsing, students aren't going to be using this thing like they would a PC. They aren't producing content (writing papers, drafting powerpoints), or at least I hope not, but rather consuming it (reading books, watching ideas). One COULD argue that a PC can do this too, but reading text as a sole means of reading will produce serious eye strain on a computer screen (that is much cheaper than the iPad).

So this is a bit like comparing a specialized power tool, say a band saw, to a swiss army knife. Yeah, the swiss army knife can do a whole lot more and is a whole lot cheaper, but when you need the band saw, the swiss army knife won't cut it, EVER.

What I do STILL wonder, is how these iPads are going to prove better than textbooks, from a learning perspective. On the surface, "always up to date textbooks" sounds wonderful, until you realize this is really only relevant in some sciences. Mathematics, History, and Language Arts are all known entities at a k-12 level and they don't REALLY change. Even many sciences, such as Chemistry haven't changed enough to warrant real updates. But the publishers push updates anyway because updates equals MONEY.

 

[TouchMint.com]

Interesting. The only thing on your mind is developers making money rather than the students who needed an educational device.

Yea your right it's the first thing that popped into my head so that kind of came out wrong.

It will be interesting to see what these iPads are used for. If they just have a few stock apps and a browser / reader I'm guessing the $600+ per device could be spent better else where. I believe apps make the device if they arnt going to allow apps might as well get a cheap andriod. If the kids are allowed to purchase apps then what restrictions will there be? Lots of questions.

Btw all my edu apps have edu discount so I think of the kids sometimes

 

[potyec]

Idc what people says but this is a good thing

Save the earth
+ save the kids back ... I hated my backpack when i was in school

 

[coolspot18]

What I do STILL wonder, is how these iPads are going to prove better than textbooks, from a learning perspective. On the surface, "always up to date textbooks" sounds wonderful, until you realize this is really only relevant in some sciences. Mathematics, History, and Language Arts are all known entities at a k-12 level and they don't REALLY change. Even many sciences, such as Chemistry haven't changed enough to warrant real updates. But the publishers push updates anyway because updates equals MONEY.

Yeah, I agree with most of your points, but especially this - traditional text books are good and have proven to work for several years. Perhaps multi-media may encourage engagement ... or may turn out to be another source of distraction for the kids!

 

[ellsworth]

They can't use the money to hire more teachers. It comes from a bond issue that can only be used for infrastructure.

Good to know. Thanks for sharing.
It's still very sad.

 

[AidenShaw]

Program halted after LA students breach school iPads' security in a week

Oops.

Program halted after LA students breach school iPads' security in a week
Published September 25, 2013/
Associated Press


LOS ANGELES – It took just a week for nearly 300 students who got iPads from their Los Angeles high school to figure out how to alter the security settings so they could surf the Web and access social media sites.

The breach at Roosevelt High and two other LA schools has prompted Los Angeles Unified School District officials to halt a $1 billion program aimed at putting the devices in the hands of every student in the nation's second-largest school system, the Los Angeles Times reported. The district also has banned home use of the iPads until further notice as officials look for ways to make sure students use the devices for school work only.

The actions come as school officials nationwide grapple with security measures for iPads and other devices as they introduce them to tech-savvy students.

"I'm guessing this is just a sample of what will likely occur on other campuses once this hits Twitter, YouTube or other social media sites explaining to our students how to breach or compromise the security of these devices," School District Police Chief Steven Zipperman wrote in a confidential memo to senior staff obtained by the Times. "I want to prevent a `runaway train' scenario when we may have the ability to put a hold on the rollout."

Roosevelt was among the first schools to distribute iPads as part of the district rollout. Its students initially were allowed to take home the Apple tablets, and they learned they could easily delete their personal profile information, giving them greater access to the iPads' capabilities.

Westchester High and the Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences in Granada Hills also reported the problem, though in smaller numbers.

...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/2...tudents-breach-school-ipads-security-in-week/

The LA Times says that home use of the tablets has been halted, but not the program - although that's being considered. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lausd-ipad-hack-20130925,0,6974454.story