How does everyone think the Apple Watch will take off in business,school,etc.? Many businesses use an iPad for just about anything. Whenever I watch TV the presenters have an iPad and read out the latest tweets! Will The Apple Watch have a place or not?
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Apple Watch in business,school, etc.
- Thread starter CChevW
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As a former educator, I can tell you that these are very quickly going to be outlawed for students to wear to school. Before I say any of this, one has to wonder about the kind of parent who is buying an Apple Watch for their kid, but it'll happen all the time. None of the schools I worked at allowed students to use cell phones or even have them in their pockets. Obviously some of the kids did, and it was on the teacher whether they wanted to address it or not, but an Apple Watch is something that they are always going to have out and will be a constant issue. Putting aside the cheating aspect (which I honestly think won't happen much because even a semi-observant teacher is going to notice a kid constantly raising his wrist up and tapping at his wrist), there is a whole series of other issues to deal with.
Some kid shows up with their at a minimum $350 watch, the school isn't going to want to deal with the liability issues when it gets broken or stolen, which, depending on the age of the kid, would likely happen the first week they had it. Another reason is the communication aspect. A student is getting texts from their friends and it is going to be a constant distraction. Some kid decides to pull a prank and send a dirty picture and some other kid sees it, now that kid's parents are in the office screaming at the principal.
One of the main reasons we didn't want kids using their cell phones is because they send messages to their parents that the parents act on. A kid texts his mom saying they are sick and need to get picked up and that parent is in the office trying to pull them out of class and the school has no idea what is going on. A kid texts his dad saying he was bullied and five minutes later that dad is at the school trying to fight the other kid. Or the best one, a kid says something to the teacher or another adult to get them angry and then records an audio clip of the adult and sends it home out of context saying the teacher should be fired.
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As to the Apple Watch in a business context, I think it will all depend on the business and the context of the situation. If you were at a meeting and you were poking at your watch every two minutes to send someone a message or check the score in a game, that probably wouldn't fly. I would assume that any situation you wouldn't use your phone in would probably preclude using your watch for anything more than checking the time or glancing at an alert. And there are a lot of jobs where people deal with sensitive information such as the financial sector and the federal government where having a smartwatch will probably not be allowed at all due to security concerns.
Thinking about the examples you gave of someone reading tweets or a speech or using their device as a remote, I would actually think the current way of doing things would be preferable, at least from an image standpoint. I mean, if I was watching someone give a presentation and they had their phone in their hand and were using it as a remote, I wouldn't give it a second thought. But if they kept poking at their wrist or lifting their arm up to check on something, I'd find it odd and distracting. Likewise, having an iPad on a podium or in your hands to read off of is basically the same thing as a piece of paper or note cards. I think if someone kept tapping at their watch and looking off to the side it would seem less professional.
Some kid shows up with their at a minimum $350 watch, the school isn't going to want to deal with the liability issues when it gets broken or stolen, which, depending on the age of the kid, would likely happen the first week they had it. Another reason is the communication aspect. A student is getting texts from their friends and it is going to be a constant distraction. Some kid decides to pull a prank and send a dirty picture and some other kid sees it, now that kid's parents are in the office screaming at the principal.
One of the main reasons we didn't want kids using their cell phones is because they send messages to their parents that the parents act on. A kid texts his mom saying they are sick and need to get picked up and that parent is in the office trying to pull them out of class and the school has no idea what is going on. A kid texts his dad saying he was bullied and five minutes later that dad is at the school trying to fight the other kid. Or the best one, a kid says something to the teacher or another adult to get them angry and then records an audio clip of the adult and sends it home out of context saying the teacher should be fired.
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As to the Apple Watch in a business context, I think it will all depend on the business and the context of the situation. If you were at a meeting and you were poking at your watch every two minutes to send someone a message or check the score in a game, that probably wouldn't fly. I would assume that any situation you wouldn't use your phone in would probably preclude using your watch for anything more than checking the time or glancing at an alert. And there are a lot of jobs where people deal with sensitive information such as the financial sector and the federal government where having a smartwatch will probably not be allowed at all due to security concerns.
Thinking about the examples you gave of someone reading tweets or a speech or using their device as a remote, I would actually think the current way of doing things would be preferable, at least from an image standpoint. I mean, if I was watching someone give a presentation and they had their phone in their hand and were using it as a remote, I wouldn't give it a second thought. But if they kept poking at their wrist or lifting their arm up to check on something, I'd find it odd and distracting. Likewise, having an iPad on a podium or in your hands to read off of is basically the same thing as a piece of paper or note cards. I think if someone kept tapping at their watch and looking off to the side it would seem less professional.
I remember getting my iPod 4th generation for my 14th birthday and getting it confiscated one break time. When I went to collect it the teachers were using it. They had never used an iPod before.
Yes, in the UK a lot of schools have banned mobile phones and laptops, unless the pupil has a special requirment.
I work as an Engineer on secret future technologies, and we can't have mobile phones/smart watches on site. Security is pretty tight.
My phone and future Apple Watch will have to live in a locker at the gate. 🙁
ledzepfan1981
macrumors 6502a
When I went to collect it I'd punch them in the face, because I've never punched a teacher in the face before. So that gives me the right to, right? Same logic? lol
In the UK I've not seen schools ban having cell phones, just their use in class or during school hours. They have no control over what students do outside of school so if they bring cell phones, smart watches or laptops there is still the potential for liability if they're kept anywhere except on the wrist or wherever you would expect.
Schools that issue iPads generally control what software is on the device, what sites may be accessed, and, of course, when the iPad may be used.
Given if will be difficult to control how and when a student uses an Apple Watch, the simplest solution is for schools to prohibit the Watch's use in class, and require students to store the Watch in a locker or backpack. This is the same approach many schools already apply to cell phones.
walshy1009
macrumors regular
Mr. Beldenben
I must say that most of your points in this post I can agree with but let me amuse you with where I'm coming from.
I'm currently a high school student in Year 9 in Victoria, Australia doing the usual 9 AM - 3 PM school day, five days a week.
Last year, there was a small adoption of smart watches in the school (5 smart watches max on student's wrists)
One of them had a Pebble and the rest had Samsung Gear Fits or Lives.
There wasn't any bans put on smart watches and/or bands last year and students smart watches and/or bands were not taken off them but did anyone really expect that in the first place?
Correct me if I'm wrong but I heard a while back that adoption/sales of smart watches/bands last year totalled somewhat of a figure around 3 - 4 million units (that's combining all the sales from all the companies in the smart watch and smart band industry I can gather)
You see.. Apple will be the ones to drive the smart watch industry to the mainstream amongst your average every day people. Of course it won't happen straight away but it'll happen eventually.
Once the smart watch industry is driven into the mainstream by Apple, more people will start to become more aware of it's category, thus the adoption rates will rise.
Now out of the 1200 students at my school, I'm the first one to adopt the Apple Watch and honestly wouldn't be surprised if I'm the only one for the year as all the teachers in my year level are wearing either FitBit Charge, FitBit Charge HR or FitBit Surge (Not a fan of FitBits by the way. Never liked the look of them.)
I asked some students in my year level (As I'm actually not friends with any of them) whether they had heard of any other smart watches before the Apple Watch and the majority said that the Apple Watch was the first smart watch they've heard of while the minority said that they've heard of either the Moto 360, Samsung Gear Live or the FitBit Surge.
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Now do I think that teachers will ask students in the future to take their smart watch off and put it in their bags or even the teacher taking it off them? Eventually they will but not straight away..
In my honest opinion, teachers won't be aware of such category/industry until it basically blows up and everyone eventually adopts some sort of a smart watch.
If there will be a company to blow up the smart watch industry into the mainstream it'll be Apple that will do it with either Apple Watch Gen 2 or 3.
Other than that, I'm looking forward to wearing my Apple Watch at school by hopefully next Monday at the earliest. In the event that a teacher asks me to take it off or give it to them, I will put up somewhat of an argument but I'm sure most will be asking to look at "Apple's new tech"
Apple have done well with Apple Watch Gen 1 at this current time. In fact, according to 9to5 Mac, statistics from expert analysis suggest that three million Apple Watches have been sold so far and that Apple has gained a little over 2B dollars in revenue. Although we can't be sure of any of this, it does sound like Apple is off to a great start. 🙂
Funny our idiot mayor just reinstated cell phones use in NYC schools. The teachers are less then happy.
My Company placed a ban on all smart watches, specifically Apple Watch, Moto 360, and Galaxy Gear on April 10, 2015. (Transportation Industry).
MJedi
macrumors 6502a
This is why we can't have nice things. 🙄
EDIT: Okay, to be on-topic, I can foresee a time when schools will require students to take off their smartwatches when in class, just like cellphones. A thread in this forum discussed the potential for cheating in school using the Apple Watch.
Some people are just going to ruin it for everyone. 🙁
EDIT: Okay, to be on-topic, I can foresee a time when schools will require students to take off their smartwatches when in class, just like cellphones. A thread in this forum discussed the potential for cheating in school using the Apple Watch.
Some people are just going to ruin it for everyone. 🙁
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bunnicula
macrumors 68040
We have a BYOD policy at each of the schools my kids attend.
They can bring their own devices or the school will provide them when/if needed. Mine both carry cell phones to school. They stay on vibrate and they keep them in their pockets unless they're at lunch or between classes. I don't think the Apple Watch will be an issue around here.
350 dollars isn't peanuts, but it is also not an exorbitant sum of money. My kids all have that much in the bank and then some.
They can buy their own if they want.
SteveLV702
macrumors 6502
I can tell you this is not the case at all school as my kids school is a technology school all kids in 6th grade plus have to have a device either a Laptop, Tablet and those in 5th or lower its not required but highly suggested. So my oldest in 6th takes his Surface tablet and then my son in 5th takes his iPad Mini...
cambookpro
macrumors 604
We have the same policy at my school - phones can only be used in lunch and break, and have to be on silent in classes. Laptops, iPads etc can be connected to the school WiFi (one device per student) but again, only to be used between classes unless the staff say you can use them. It works well and most adhere to the rules.
I don't think smartwatches will be too different - I already know a couple of people who wear Samsung Gear watches and they haven't had any problems. Obviously they'll be banned for exams etc, but otherwise they should be OK.
bunnicula
macrumors 68040
I'm told that the kids with Samsung Gear watches and the like right now are just told to take them off and put them in their pockets during tests.
Seems reasonable.
Obviously, the rules may be tighter for standardized testing and so forth, but that's always the case.
cwosigns
macrumors 68020
My company has banned Apple Watch and Android smartwatches (and anything else with an on/off switch) when working in a capacity that puts you in contact with customers. Since my job is Instructional Design, instructor-led training, and evaluation...I am not impacted by this policy. But, when I help out with customers when we're busy, I am not allowed to wear the AW (so I'll dig out my Pebble Steel during those times).
virginblue4
macrumors 68020
cwosigns
macrumors 68020
It technically can be turned off, but it has no ability to record a customer's personal information. They specifically outlined AW and Android watches. The Pebble poses no security risk at all.
AppleAlex!
macrumors member
At my Sixth Form we are allowed to use pretty much any electronic device at our own discretion. Of course if teachers feel like we are off task they have every right to tell us to stop using our device or put it away. I regularly use my MacBook in classes along with my iPhone 6 Plus.
I recently released an App for iOS specifically designed for my Sixth Form, it allows pupils to record their lessons and homework tasks as well as the latest news from the school. This App has led to the use of our smartphones in lessons becoming the normal and we are now in talks for producing the app for the 'Main school' aspect, but this will of course this will require them altering their policies as 'main schoolers' as we call them currently are banned from using devices during learning time.
I feel that there will be quite a split with schools to begin with on Smartwatches and the Apple Watch. I got away with wearing my 6th Gen Nano as a watch for many years. But Im hoping to make smartwatches an acceptable part of my schools infrastructure by expanding my Apps functions onto the wrist and hopefully leading to a more organised generation of students... but who knows!
I am look forward the puzzling looks from teachers, hopefully next Monday, when I'm tapping away at my wrist!
I recently released an App for iOS specifically designed for my Sixth Form, it allows pupils to record their lessons and homework tasks as well as the latest news from the school. This App has led to the use of our smartphones in lessons becoming the normal and we are now in talks for producing the app for the 'Main school' aspect, but this will of course this will require them altering their policies as 'main schoolers' as we call them currently are banned from using devices during learning time.
I feel that there will be quite a split with schools to begin with on Smartwatches and the Apple Watch. I got away with wearing my 6th Gen Nano as a watch for many years. But Im hoping to make smartwatches an acceptable part of my schools infrastructure by expanding my Apps functions onto the wrist and hopefully leading to a more organised generation of students... but who knows!
I am look forward the puzzling looks from teachers, hopefully next Monday, when I'm tapping away at my wrist!
virginblue4
macrumors 68020
Ok, you never mentioned that in your post. You stated 'anything with an on/off switch'. 🙂
cwosigns
macrumors 68020
I interpret policies pretty liberally (intent vs. wording) because most of the people writing the policies aren't as technically savvy as I am. I can respect protecting a customer's personal information (not using anything with communication abilities/cameras while working with customers), but the Pebble poses no threat so I don't see a reason to not wear it.
I think that's the main difference here. I am coming from teaching in a rural area where 90%+ of the students are on free/reduced lunch and many of them live in poverty. My school district barely had the money to provide a few classroom sets of technology, much less ask students to bring their own. It was very frustrating to me because I have a degree in using technology in education which is part of the reason I no longer work there.
With students of poverty, you are much more likely to have kids trying to steal someone else's device or just being so completely technologically illiterate that they have no use for a device in the classroom (I had students who didn't know how to save a document in Word and would go to Google to type in a web address). So like I said, the main way phones got used was to call home or cause a distraction.
I'm sure there are many schools that wouldn't have the same issues I saw in the Apple Watch, I was looking at it as kind of a worst-case scenario. It has also been my experience though that the people who are making these decisions for school districts are the ones least equipped to make them, that is school board members and superintendents who have taught for 30 years themselves and retired and are now doing this and don't understand technology or how it can be used and so when there is some incident, they just have a knee-jerk reaction and ban things outright.
My question now, to those people who don't see an issue with Apple Watches in schools or wouldn't have a problem with their kids having one, what benefits do you think it could provide in the classroom? That was the biggest sticking point for me, I could envision a lot of scenarios where it could be abused but couldn't really come up with any compelling reasons why you would want it in an educational setting? Considering that you'd need an iPhone for it to have any functionality in the first place, it's difficult for me to see a situation where just using the phone wouldn't be faster and less distracting.