[Year 12 IT Apps] [OT] Are iPads 'computers'?

[Mark KELLY]

Interesting news, Andrew.  Do you have a name for the person who issued the
proclamation (even if it's a CEO rather than a DEECD person)?

On 5 August 2010 09:54, WEIR Andrew <andrew.weir at thomascarr.vic.edu.au>wrote:

>  Mark,
>
> (See below my rant)
>
> This was a statement circulated to the CEO schools. (At the end of my bit)
>
> We looked at the ipad; they are a nice media consumption device but we were
> a bit concerned about getting data on and off the device IE USB
> connectivity, student file space and printing.
>
> Also word processors and presentation tools are not included in the package
> so we had to add another Approx $40 to the cost of the device to purchase
> those apps, I am not sure about site and volume licensing from apple for
> ipad apps.
>
> I know things like Google docs could replace the need for the apps such as
> pages, but with the wireless running at all times battery life gets
> shortened and the ipad does not charge from a standard charger, it actually
> requires a 1 amp usb port and I believe most computers max out a 500 –
> 700ma. So the availability and OHS requirements for the power need to be
> considered.
>
> There was also the issue of support and Jail Braking. There are pro’s and
> cons for custom OS and other things but what then happens to the security of
> the network. Should schools support devices that have been jail broken and
> how can we stop students Jail braking the device especially if we let them
> take the devices home.
>
>
>
> From a LOTE, Humanities and to some point English point of view we did find
> some major benefits and have not ruled out purchasing two class sets but as
> the main stream student device we are not totally convinced of version 1 of
> the ipad. Let’s see what apple says for second generation.
>
> Some of the pro’s were ITunes university, Ipad books especially Shakespeare
> and other novels.
>
> Also at this point we are actually taking a step back from technology and
> really look at the curriculum so that it is supported and enhanced by
> whatever “device” we choose.
>
> Anyway this is only just the opinion of a teacher getting over a bad dose
> of flu. So happy to see a healthy discussion.
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
> *****************************************************************
>
> *iPad*
>
> Many schools have also asked if the new iPad would be approved as a
> ‘computer’ under the DER
>
> funding. Initially, the advice from DEEWR was that it was not eligible.
> However, the following advice was
>
> received by us on 23 June:
>
> *Many of you have sought advice about whether the new Apple iPad meets
> eligibility requirements*
>
> *under the National Secondary School Computer Fund. I would like to advise
> that DEEWR*
>
> *considers that the iPad does meet the existing definitions of an eligible
> computer device under*
>
> *the Fund. An iPad is a particular type of tablet computer and these have
> been considered as*
>
> *eligible devices since the implementation of the Fund in 2008.*
>
> *A tablet, including the iPad, allows users to input information via
> QWERTY typing, it runs word*
>
> *processing and other efficiency applications and it provides a means of
> accessing information*
>
> *from the Internet. The major difference between a tablet and a
> conventional laptop is that the*
>
> *keyboard is a software generated function on a screen rather than a
> physical object. The iPad*
>
> *runs different applications from other laptops.*
>
> *In summary, DEEWR considers that the iPad, as a tablet, can be purchased
> under the Fund but*
>
> *it is a matter for education authorities/schools to decide if the
> application suite on an iPad meets*
>
> *the educational needs of their students.*
>
>
>
>
>
> *Andrew Weir*
>
> Information Technology Co-ordinator
>
> Thomas Carr College
>
>
>      <http://www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au/> <http://www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au>
>   <http://www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au> <http://www.thomascarr.vic.edu.au>
>
> **
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Mark KELLY
> *Sent:* Thursday, 5 August 2010 9:08 AM
> *To:* Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* [Year 12 IT Apps] [OT] Are iPads 'computers'?
>
>
>
> A poser just occurred to me as I plan budgets for next year: if we buy
> iPads, would they count as *computers* in the annual school ICT inventory
> (and therefore count towards DEECD's planned 1:1 ratio of year 9-12 students
> per computer)?
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager - Information Systems; Reporting Manager
> McKinnon Secondary College
> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
> Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085
> School Phone +613 8520 9000, Fax +613 9578 9253
> kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
>
> Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
> Author - VCE IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
> Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List
>
> Korma: the philosophy that what you get out of a curry depends on what you
> put into it.
>
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>



-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager - Information Systems; Reporting Manager
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: 8520 9085
School Phone +613 8520 9000, Fax +613 9578 9253
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au

Webmaster - http://www.mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
Author - VCE IT Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Mailing List

Korma: the philosophy that what you get out of a curry depends on what you
put into it.
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