Comparing and

Contrasting the iPad Mini

and the Kindle Fire

ISTE SIGML Webinar

Presenters: Susan Wells and Christine Bell

Common Core standards include incorporation of technology within the classroom.

This Webinar includes:

-Classroom work of each mobile learning tool

-Ease of use

-Price points

-Advantages of small mobile classroom labs.

The MOST important aspect of Mobile Learning:

- not about the devices, but about teaching and learning within the classroom!

Devices help to facilitate learning.

Classroom:

Both iPad Mini and Kindle Fire are useful in the classroom.

Each have different company “ecosystems” that have both advantages and disadvantages.

iPad: From Os platform “ecosystem”

Includes access to HUGE iTunes collection of applications, music, videos, iUniversity.

iTunes app store has over 700,000 apps for sale or free.

Kindle Fire controlled by Amazon Company “ecosystem.”

Has access to about 50,000 apps available through Amazon. Some apps will only run on Kindle Fire, some will only run on the new Kindle HD.

Both iPad Mini and Kindle Fire are cloud-based in terms of content.

Advantage of cloud – All apps and other content is transferable to all devices that use that “ecosystem.” Example: iPad Mini downloads are saved through cloud and can be used on the iPhone, etc…

Apps that are useful in classKindle Fire apps

World Landmarks Quiz – pictures of buildings and landmarks – Social Studies

HandyNote – Allows students to make different types of notes.

StudyDroid – Makes flashcards and provides database of flashcards from which to choose.

GameScorpion – Flashcard maker and quizmaker

Apps – Cross Platform – can be used with both

Pulse – news favorites provided in a visual mosaic

Pinterest – content-sharing service, social network, with members “pinning” images, videos, and other content.

Flipboard – social network aggregation bringing together world news and social news.

iTunes Store – iPad Mini:

Google Translate – allows students to easily translate many different languages to English and back.

TapQuiz – World Geography quiz-maker

Pass The Past – Award-winning SOL prep app

MathFlyer – Graphing inequalities- algebra and geometry use

Nearpod – Teacher/Student communication-shared content

Edmodo – allows teachers to create class web site and blog

Price Point of each tool:

Kindle Fire - $199.00

iPad Mini - $329.00

“iPad Mini is like a mini computer.” from a 13 year old iPad user/owner.

Ease of Use Each Tool:

Both iPad Mini and Kindle Fire are about the same size – Real estate of screen is about the same size.

Both are cloud – based, relatively simple to transfer content from device to device.

Kindle Fire has no camera or video.

iPad Mini has both camera and video capability – so can be used for skyping, presentations, and facetime.

Speed:

iPad is much faster.

Fire runs on Android, but is slower and there is some lag.

Flash:

Kindle Fire does have Flash.

iPad Mini does not have Flash.

Some content that uses Flash, thus, won’t be useable on iPad Mini.

Dashboard(s):

There are multiple dashboards on Kindle Fire – so content like apps are harder to see quickly.

On iPad Mini the user can see everything at a glance.

Volume Control:

Kindle Fire volume is controlled on the screen. Can be difficult to get to desired volume.

On iPad Mini – volume control is on both the side and on the screen. Ease of volume control.

Advantages of small mobile classroom labs:

Different models have different advantages and disadvantages

Each has different configurations.

Wealth of lesson-planning possibilities for mobile classroom labs.

Classroom useage:

1:1

Collaborative/Cooperative plans not necessitating 1:1

BYOD = Bring Your Own Devices

Classroom labs.

Exploring and comparing/contrasting devices can be helpful

as we continue to understand the impact of mobile learning for both teachers and students!