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

Fri Dec 10 13:39:25 EST 2010

Kevork,

I have seen no further update from the catholic system. The one I sent
below was published on the 8th of July by the CEO from DEEWR advice
received on the 23rd of June.

However I am not surprised with the response. I think the last lines
about it being up to the state authorities to see if it meets the needs
is the loop hole used by DEECD.

I would be interested in any findings that come from the state trials.

So it seems as DEEWR may say yes buy DEECD say No atleast until there is
an eduSTAR IPAD OS or the trials are finished.

I wish it was a little clearer.

Andrew

Andrew Weir

Information Technology Co-ordinator

Thomas Carr College

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Kevork Krozian
Sent: Friday, 10 December 2010 12:20 PM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Cc: elearning Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [OT] Are iPads 'computers'?

Hi Folks,

 This may be topical as I thought Ipads are considered to be computers
under NSSCF funding , but apparently they are not.

The email below ( at the bottom by Andrew Weir ) suggests DEEWR
considers Ipads as computers for NSSCF funding, but the following
suggests it is not (
https://edugate.eduweb.vic.gov.au/Services/IT/ITSupport/Lists/NSSCF%20FA
Qs/DispForm.aspx?ID=38&Source=https%3A%2F%2Fedugate%2Eeduweb%2Evic%2Egov
%2Eau%2FServices%2FIT%2FITSupport%2FPages%2FNSSCF%2Easpx ) - need an
edumail account to view the link :

Question

Can schools purchase Apple iPads using funds provided through the NSSCF?

Answer

No.

The iPad is not an approved device on DEECD's purchasing panels as the
iPad does not support the eduSTAR standard operating environment which
includes more than 60 teaching and learning applications and tools.

DEECD is undertaking an iPad trial for middle year levels in 8 Victorian
Government schools to evaluate the potential of the iPad as a learning
tool. The DEECD iPad Trial will be conducted over the next 18 months and
research results will inform any future technology directions that can
enhance teaching and learning outcomes. 

Category

Purchasing  

Where are we at with this ?

Kind Regards

Kevork Krozian

Digital Learning Manager

Forest Hill College

www.fhc.vic.edu.au

tel: 0419 356 034

From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of WEIR Andrew
Sent: Thursday, 5 August 2010 9:54 AM
To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] [OT] Are iPads 'computers'?

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> 

________________________________

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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