s/o ipads for kids

[Deleted]

The Stem academy is apparently urging the kids to bring tablets to school if they have them as we don't have the funds to get each kid one though I think the standard is 4:1.

I know nothing about tablets.

So . . . what kind can I get that's not ridiculously expensive (I'm nest poor, remember) but will work well for this.

[pixy0stix]

I'd ask the school what specific applications the kids are going to be using, because that will limit your options.

[iammalcolmx]

People seem to love the Kindle Fire and Amazon just lowered their prices on the latest one. Also another option is Ebay I have seen the first generation Ipads for around 200 bucks. If anyone here has the first generation maybe they can give you their thoughts.

[meshaliuknits]

Mar 19, 2013 12:35:13 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I'd ask the school what specific applications the kids are going to be using, because that will limit your options.

what she said. I know droids tend to be less expensive, but I've also read the schools generally require ipads specifically b/c they have more educational options.

[SusanBAnthony]

The knock off droid ones are definitely the cheapest. But many many many educational aps are only for apple, in which case your cheapest bet is to get the smaller iPad with the least memory.

The droid ones that get good reviews tend to be just as expensive as iPads. Sort of depends on if you want to roll the dice on the thing breaking in a year. Also, get a really good case.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nexus 7 or 10 would be good. I think they're right around $200.

[SusanBAnthony]

Keep in mind that the earlier iPads did not have 2 cameras. I don't think they worked for FaceTime for that reason. I know my cousin who has one for hi school is sometimes required to use FaceTime for school assignments, so that might be something to keep in mind.

[Deleted]

Mar 19, 2013 12:37:01 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Mar 19, 2013 12:35:13 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I'd ask the school what specific applications the kids are going to be using, because that will limit your options.

what she said. I know droids tend to be less expensive, but I've also read the schools generally require ipads specifically b/c they have more educational options.

The principal specifically said he didn't want to get the school locked into any one technology because of all the requirements from these companies as well as the school system's lack of budget. He specifically mentioned that he wasn't interested in being an apple only school etc, and that he wanted kids to be able to use in school whatever they had if they weren't using what the school provided.

[iammalcolmx]

Mar 19, 2013 12:38:16 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

The droid ones that get good reviews tend to be just as expensive as iPads. Sort of depends on if you want to roll the dice on the thing breaking in a year. Also, get a really good case.

This is true and why I ended up just getting the Ipad

[2curlydogs]

Mar 19, 2013 12:37:01 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Mar 19, 2013 12:35:13 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I'd ask the school what specific applications the kids are going to be using, because that will limit your options.

what she said. I know droids tend to be less expensive, but I've also read the schools generally require ipads specifically b/c they have more educational options.

Tritto this.  Fat lot of good it'll do you to buy a cheaper Droid if half the apps they want to use are Apple-only.

I'd look into a refurbished iPad, personally. I have an iPad 2 that would be more than adequate, IMO (yes, it has 2 cameras.  Only the 1st gen iPad had a single camera).

ETA: Just saw your post.  I guess, then, I'd ask the teachers what apps they plan to use.

[mominatrix]

Look into the Nabi 2. It's Android, so less expensive than iPads, but designed for kids. Tough built, parental lock. Features similar to the Nexus, but less expensive.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using proboards

[Deleted]

The first gen doesn't have a camera at all.

[pixy0stix]

Mar 19, 2013 12:43:46 GMT -5 @habbsies said:

Mar 19, 2013 12:37:01 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

what she said. I know droids tend to be less expensive, but I've also read the schools generally require ipads specifically b/c they have more educational options.

The principal specifically said he didn't want to get the school locked into any one technology because of all the requirements from these companies as well as the school system's lack of budget. He specifically mentioned that he wasn't interested in being an apple only school etc, and that he wanted kids to be able to use in school whatever they had if they weren't using what the school provided.

Huh. I think this isn't a very good way to manage this. Depending on what they want to use the tablets for, over half won't be able to do certain functions or use certain software.

Did they give you any indication what they are going to be using them for in the classrooms?

[Deleted]

We've had a BYOD ( bring your own device) policy for two years. As a teacher, managing multiple devices is really hard. We are going straight apple, 1:1, next year. I'm so excited.

[Deleted]

If I have to buy an ipad, you can bet your sweet ass he'll just be using the one at school.

/cheap ass out

And see, this is the problem I have with fucking tablets. Now I'm feeling hostile. Maybe I should have just sent him to the neighborhood school ffs.

[pixy0stix]

It sounds like they just thought, "OH TECHNOLOGY!" and no one on staff is really thinking about the logistics.

[Deleted]

We might be selling our iPad gen ones soon. From what I can tell you can get them super cheap on eBay.



Don't feel bad about it! I think it's awesome they are encouraged to bring one, but don't feel like he HAS to bring one.

[Deleted]

Mar 19, 2013 12:50:29 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

It sounds like they just thought, "OH TECHNOLOGY!" and no one on staff is really thinking about the logistics.

Yeah, I don't think that's the case. Maybe they were looking more at what would get technology into the hands of the kids in a school district that doesn't exactly have tons of money floating around at a school that's only opening next year.

We aren't even sure yet if they have the budget to provide transportation for kids out of the school zone.

[Deleted]

Mar 19, 2013 12:50:42 GMT -5 @irishbride said:

We might be selling our iPad gen ones soon. From what I can tell you can get them super cheap on eBay.



Don't feel bad about it! I think it's awesome they are encouraged to bring one, but don't feel like he HAS to bring one.

lol Which is what I'm saying. If the iPad is the only option, he isn't bringing one. End of story.

[Deleted]

I was just agreeing with you


From what my kids tell me, the kindle fire is their second favorite. But my kids are a little older so it might vary.

[Deleted]

Mar 19, 2013 12:55:20 GMT -5 @irishbride said:

I was just agreeing with you


From what my kids tell me, the kindle fire is their second favorite. But my kids are a little older so it might vary.

I know you were. I'm sorry. 

[caden]

Not to be a Debbie downer but we have 2 Nabis and I hate them. They stall, the sound shuts off for no apparent reason and it has to be rebooted before it turns on, if the charge runs down and you plug it in it won't turn on until the charge hits a certain level. And it takes a long time IMO to get there. We got them at xmas and one charger has already died. You'd have to check what apps you'd need it for because there aren't nearly the # an iPad has. It's great for playing at home, but I wouldn't want it for anything serious at a school. It's just too quirky. But it is durable in the sense that you can drop them down a flight if stairs and they'll still work (if they're in the case).

[MrsAxilla]

I'd stay away from the 1st gen iPad. It doesn't have enough memory to run some of the newer apps.

[Deleted]

Mar 19, 2013 12:57:52 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I'd stay away from the 1st gen iPad. It doesn't have enough memory to run some of the newer apps.

Really? Like what? I have an insane number of apps, including numbers, pages, and a ton of high memory games.

The only apps I run across that don't work on the ipad1 are the ones that require a camera.

[annieblah]

They are doing it for the tech part of it, not necessarily for apps. And, between the Fire HD and the iPad, you'll get very similar functionality. And, you may or may not have an inside h/u (just saying)

[annieblah]

Mar 19, 2013 12:57:52 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I'd stay away from the 1st gen iPad. It doesn't have enough memory to run some of the newer apps.

It is more likely the iOS version that is the issue, ime.

[NitaX]

@habbsies -
First ask the school if they have any funds that would help you out. They may have money to help kids meeting certain income requirements.

[StrawberryBlondie]

My DH has a kindle fire and I have the Google nexus 7 tablet. I like mine better. The kindle fire can't access Google play so you can't get the Google apps.

I got this for a gift so I don't know how much it cost. I really do love it, though.

[msmerymac]

What about an iPad mini, and also using that as his birthday, or combination Christmas/birthday gift this year? Are there size requirements? Because the Nexus and the regular Kindle Fire are smaller, more like 6x8 (though still bigger than the iPad mini, I believe), so if it had to be a full sized tablet, your options are limited to things that cost about $400+, new. The Surface, the iPad and the large Kindle Fire. (ETA: actually the large Kindle Fire HD starts at $269.)

My husband has the kindle fire (first gen) and we like it a lot. Bonus - you can steal it and read on it, and you can get library books for free through overdrive and your local library system. And if you get a new one, you get 1 month of free Amazon Prime. But I will say that despite the great functionality of the Kindle and my loyalty to Amazon, my iPhone's interface is freaking awesome and responds even better. BUT I wouldn't think the Kindle was slow or anything unless I also had an iPhone.

[Deleted]

Oh I have Amazon Prime. Trust. Subscribe and save is the shit for diapers if anyone was wondering.