N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 3

Students will require devices that they

can access web-based tools on, create

documents, presentations, spreadsheets

and media on. Every device will do some

things well and other things not as well.

!It is important to note that computer

labs and libraries are available for

times when a student needs or wants

to do something that their device

does not support. No device is better

than another; they all have advantages

and disadvantages.

!When choosing a device, it is important

to consider a few things:

- price

- keyboard, ability to type

- case or protection

- battery life and charging

- durability and warranty

- camera and/or video camera

- screen size and accessibility

- mobility

- availability of programs/software

- compatibility with other devices

!It all comes down to personalization.

The benefit comes from the ability to

set up a device to specifically help a

student learn. What works for one

student may not work for another.

What are appropriate devices?

LAPTOPS, NETBOOKS, NOTEBOOKS AND TABLETS ALL

HAVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES. IT’S ABOUT CHOOSING WHAT WORKS FOR

YOU.

BLENDED LEARNING @ MSS

Support is available We understand not every family will be able to provide a device. Devices will be available at our school to lend to students to use throughout the school year—at school and at home.

PC Laptops, Netbooks, Notebooks Price: $300 and up

Warranty and Support: different for every device. Inquire at the store.

Pros: keyboard integrated, install software, use USB memory sticks, handle flash-based animations and tutorials

Cons: none

Battery Life: variable, be prepared to charge throughout day as needed

Things to Consider: getting good anti-virus software, aim for at least 2GB RAM

!Apple Computers Price: $999 and up

Warranty and Support: purchased apple care through apple

Pros: keyboard integrated, install software, use USB memory sticks, handle flash-based animations and tutorials, media making (video editing, audio creation, etc.) software comes on the computer

Cons: cost

Battery Life: varies based on computer, be prepared to charge throughout day if needed

Things to Consider: additional cost of apple care warranty

!Chromebooks Price: $229 and up

Warranty and Support: usually 1 year, be sure to check with store

Pros: price, keyboard integrated, use USB memory sticks, handle flash-based animations and tutorials, very fast to start-up

Cons: cannot install software, it is a web-based machine

Battery Life: varies with specific device, check at store

Things to Consider: when not connected to the web you will be able to word process and create presentations or spreadsheets

PC LAPTOPS, NETBOOKS,

NOTEBOOKS !MOST PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH PC’S. THERE ARE A WIDE RANGE OF DEVICES WITH LOTS OF CHOICES. FROM AN EDUCATION POINT OF VIEW LAPTOPS CAN DO IT ALL - INSTALL SOFTWARE, MAKE MEDIA, ACCESS FLASH-BASED INTERACTIVE MODULES AND TUTORIALS.

APPLE COMPUTERS !LIKE PC LAPTOPS, APPLE PC’S CAN DO IT ALL. APPLE COMPUTERS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN AN ENTRY-LEVEL PC. THEY ARE WELL-KNOWN FOR THEIR MEDIA MAKING CAPABILITIES.

SOME STUDENTS DO NOT LIKE APPLE COMPUTERS BECAUSE SOME SPECIALTY PROGRAMS AND GAMES ARE NOT MADE FOR THEM.

CHROMEBOOKS !CHROMEBOOKS ARE FAIRLY NEW TO THE MARKET. THEY LOOK AND FEEL JUST LIKE A LAPTOP. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT OPERATING SYSTEM. THIS MEANS THAT THEY CAN ONLY RUN THE WEB, NOTHING ELSE. THERE ARE EXCELLENT WEB-BASED WORD PROCESSING AND PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMS BUILT RIGHT IN THAT CAN BE USED WHEN OFFLINE. THESE ARE GREAT EDUCATIONAL DEVICES, HOWEVER THEY DO NOT LET YOU INSTALL SPECIALTY SOFTWARE. THEY MAKE GREAT DEVICES FOR THE CLASSROOM.

ANDROID TABLETS !THERE ARE A WIDE VARIETY OF ANDROID DEVICES AVAILABLE. MANY ARE GREAT WORKHORSES FOR DAY-TO-DAY PRODUCTIVITY. TRY TO GET A DEVICE WITH AT LEAST 2GB RAM IF POSSIBLE. THAT WILL MAKE THE DEVICE RUN FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH ALL STUDENTS. ANDROID TABLETS ACCESS THE WEB VERY WELL - FLASH-BASED TUTORIALS CAN BE VIEWED ON THEM. THEY ARE NOT AS WELL-KNOWN FOR MEDIA CREATION AS THE IPAD, BUT SUPPORT DAY-TO-DAY LEARNING VERY WELL. THEY ARE NOT AS WELL KNOWN FOR BEING ABLE TO CREATE MEDIA.

GOOGLE TABLETS !GOOGLE TABLETS HAVE RECENTLY ENTERED THE MARKET AND THEY RUN ANDROID SOFTWARE. THEY DO BASIC THINGS VERY WELL. AIM FOR A DEVICE WITH AT LEAST 2GB OF RAM MEMORY.

GOOGLE TABLETS MAKE GREAT PRODUCTIVITY DEVICES AND ACCESS THE WEB VERY WELL. THEY CAN ACCESS FLASH-BASED TUTORIALS. THEY ARE NOT AS WELL-KNOWN FOR MEDIA CREATION AS THE IPAD, BUT SUPPORT DAY-TO-DAY LEARNING VERY WELL.

APPLE IPADS !APPLE IPADS ARE ALL THE RAGE THESE DAYS, AND THEY CERTAINLY MAKE GREAT LEARNING TOOLS; HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS. THEY CAN BE TRICKY TO GET FILES ON AND OFF OF. IPADS DO NOT PLAY FLASH-BASED INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS OR ANIMATIONS. IPADS ARE VERY WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR EASE OF MAKING MEDIA (SIMPLE VIDEO EDITING, PHOTO EDITING, MAKING TUTORIALS, ETC.). IPADS ALSO HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF APPS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD.

Android Tablets Price: $300 and up (for 2+GB Ram)

Warranty and Support: different for every device. Inquire at the store.

Pros: small, some enjoy reading on a tablet more than computer screen, touch screen, flash-based animations and tutorials usually work

Cons: no keyboard attached, can’t always use a USB stick

Battery Life: variable, check before buying

Things to Consider: aim for at least 2GB RAM, some cost perhaps for buying apps as desired (no paid apps are required)

!Google Tablets Price: $249 and up

Warranty and Support: generally 1 year

Pros: small, cost, touch-screen, flash-based animations usually work

Cons: no keyboard attached

Battery Life: varies based on computer, be prepared to charge throughout day if needed

Things to Consider: additional cost of cases, keyboards, installing any apps desired (no paid apps are required)

!Apple iPads Price: $329 and up

Warranty and Support: usually 1 year and additional Apple Care can be purchased

Pros: price, touch screen, lots of free and paid apps, good for media creation

Cons: sometimes tough to get files off iPad, no keyboard attached. Does not run flash-based animations or tutorials.

Battery Life: generally good enough to last a day unless creating or watching video for extended periods of time

Things to Consider: additional cost of case, keyboard, installing any apps desired (no paid apps are required)

Students and families do not need to buy specific software. However, each student does need a way to type documents, create presentations, access the web, record audio and create simple video. This can all be done with free software or web-based tools.

!For example, with a Google account students have access to a full productivity suite (word processing, presentation software and spreadsheet). This is a free web-based program. It also includes drawing, photo editing and graphing calculator apps within.

!Do not purchase lots of expensive software or apps for the purpose of the Blended Learning initiative at MSS. Start with free options available and see what types of learning activities students are required to do on their devices in class. As students get started they may want specific software or apps to make their lives easier.

!Teachers have access to different online tools to support their classes as needed.

What software do I need to buy? None!

GETTING HELPWHILE DIGITAL TOOLS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING, BELOW ARE SOME FREE ONLINE TOOLS YOU MAY CHOOSE TO USE:

- GOOGLE DRIVE

- EVERNOTE

- DESMOS GRAPHING CALCULATOR

- GEOGEBRA

- PIXLR

- WE VIDEO

- PADLET

- AUDACITY

- LIVE BINDERS

The school cannot take responsibility for student

devices. The great part about the blended learning initiative

is that students can set up their devices to best suit

their needs !However, we can support

students and families in the following ways: !

ADVICE You can contact the school to ask for advice on what

type of device your student may benefit from, what type

of software or apps your student may need, and give

general support. !!GEEK-SQUAD

MSS has a geek-squad of students and staff that is

here to help students and teachers trouble shoot. They

will not take responsibility nor fix your devices for you, but they may have advice and

support to help you get things sorted out. !

ACCESS TO DEVICES If a student cannot access a device to bring to school

every day, be sure to talk to the school. We have a

collection of used devices to sign out to students in the

case they cannot access their own, or for temporary

situations when a device gets lost or broken.

Contact !

705 526 7817