Saturday
Apr122014
Desktop & iPad vs Laptop: the results
Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 05:29AM Last spring, our district decided that the standard teacher equipment set up would be a desktop computer and an iPad tablet. Only special teaching circumstances would dictate that a teacher needed a laptop.
This was met with a, let's say, cool reception. So we promised to evaluate the impact of the switch. Here are the results from 87 teachers who received a desktop computer and tablet instead of a laptop.:
Having a desktop computer and an iPad Mini...
- Has made more productive as a teacher - 44%
- Has had no effect on my productivity - 34%
- Has made me less productive as a teacher - 22%
Having a desktop computer and an iPad Mini has made my work...
- More mobile - 45%
- No effect - 23%
- Less mobile - 32%
Given the benefits to the district of this move (lower TOC, less maintenance, less scrambling for computers for subs, encouragement to use GoogleDrive, more familiarity with tablet computing by teachers, etc.), I see this as win when only 22% of teachers have felt negatively impacted by not having a personal laptop (laptops can still be checked out on an as needed basis) and less than a third of teachers said they were less mobile.
The biggest complaint in the survey was about the functionality of the iPad Mini. Teachers simply expected it to be able to do everything a laptop could do, but found that doing grades, creating GoogleDocs, etc. was far more problematic. My sense is that the "right tool for the right job" sensibility will kick in eventually once teachers get more experience with tablet computing.
I have to say that a primary reason this transition went well was that my staff did an excellent job training teachers on the pedagogical uses of iPads - and their own enthusiasm was contagious. Having a firm foundation in using cloud-based productivity tools (GoogleDrive) changed the paradigm of what having access to one's work looks like. And we just plain have a great teaching staff who approached this plan with a mind open to new possibilities.
Thank you all.
So here's what I've been thinking about. What if we gave teachers an equipment stipend and has them buy their own computers, tablets, and other devices? Hmmmmmmm.
The biggest complaint in the survey was about the functionality of the iPad Mini. Teachers simply expected it to be able to do everything a laptop could do, but found that doing grades, creating GoogleDocs, etc. was far more problematic. My sense is that the "right tool for the right job" sensibility will kick in eventually once teachers get more experience with tablet computing.
I have to say that a primary reason this transition went well was that my staff did an excellent job training teachers on the pedagogical uses of iPads - and their own enthusiasm was contagious. Having a firm foundation in using cloud-based productivity tools (GoogleDrive) changed the paradigm of what having access to one's work looks like. And we just plain have a great teaching staff who approached this plan with a mind open to new possibilities.
Thank you all.
So here's what I've been thinking about. What if we gave teachers an equipment stipend and has them buy their own computers, tablets, and other devices? Hmmmmmmm.
A short history of this idea...
Reader Comments (3)
I like the idea of an equipment stipend - as long as you realize some teachers would go right past Best Buys to Staples for more office supplies.
Hi Kenn,
Yes, there would need to be compatibility guidelines - including that it take electricity to operate.
Have a good one,
Doug
Hi,
Very nice idea i like it
Regards
jennifer