Tablet Controversy

1.     In this situation, I can't help but lean almost entirely toward an iPad to be purchased through the grant. According to the scenario, I am given the opportunity to express my personal feelings along with the collaboration of my "teaching buddy." I would suggest to the Principal the purchasing of a mixture of medium and large iPad tablets. Depending on how much the grant would be for, it would be a good idea to combine the sizes and order some of each. I would steer away from the iPods, I feel many issues could happen with the ownership of the small iPod/iTouch. iPods are also inefficient for the tasks to be completed. With predominately any task, a larger screen would be necessary and preferred.
     Why choose the iPad over the Kindle, Nook, or other tablet? Easy. Through personal investment and study, I have found for the Apple products to be significantly better and easier to work with than another fashion of a tablet. With the iPad it is very simple to download apps, order books through specific applications, fast, and reliable. I personally like the screen and viewing capacities of the iPad way better than another sort of tablet. Whereas they Android or Microsoft versions of tablets are cheaper for the most part, their battery lives do not last as long and the tablet itself has a shorter life expectancy.
2.     I lean toward the decision of ordering a combination of medium and large screens for a couple of reasons. One reasons is that I understand that some people have difficulty holding onto things, as do I due to my incredibly childlike hands. With teaching elementary or secondary students, there are going to be students of many sizes that would be able to handle medium or large tablets better than another. Depending on the activity or assignment given to the student, they may need a larger screen for a longer assignment. Whereas smaller screens would be best to give to the students who had a shorter assignment to do.

3.     Regardless of my strong feelings toward iPads, there are positives to both.
 
Positives
  iPads
     - easy readable screen
     - simple application downloading process
     - huge variety of possible applications
    Android Products
     - designed specifically for reading purposes
     - affordable
     - other applications for downloading

 Negatives
 iPads
   - frequently needs updating

Android products
   - difficult finding applications
   - screen difficult to see for non-reading purposes.

4.     I think with the addition to cellular in the classroom setting, a whole can of worms gets opened. I feel like it would be rather difficult to monitor a classroom with cellular capabilities on tablets. The students are using these methods on technology for learning and creating, and with the addition of cellular services I think some disruptions can take place. It will also had to some costs and limit uses and purchasing of other objects within the grant. The cost of cellular on a tablet is very expensive. However I do see the advantages and help of students being able to use these at their homes with the cellular services available. With the students taking these to their homes, the ability to monitor what is being used and how much data is used is very difficult if not unrealistic.

5.     My growing up in school obviously did not consist of having iPads and tablets. With the new technology constantly updating, using it can only benefit your classroom and the students. The students will be using what are their new toys and gadgets. By improving the already existing knowledge, it can make the students better learners and thinkers. All of the pros and cons listed above pertain to the common classroom completely. I feel like all of the issues are relevant and are things to be taken into consideration when deciding which tools to purchase.