BYD Mobile Device Chart
Channelview ISD Bring Your Device (BYD)
The chart below describes many mobile devices, their features, and how they can be useful for teaching and learning. While it would be impossible to describe ALL devices, this chart selects some of the more popular and affordable mobile devices and describes their potential uses in the classroom.
Please Note: • Participation in the Bring Your Device (BYD) program is OPTIONAL. o Parents/Guardians are NOT asked to purchase a mobile device or send a mobile device to school with their child. o Students are NOT REQUIRED to bring a mobile device to school. o If students bring a mobile device to school, they are expected to know how to operate the device on their own. • Mention of a device in this chart does not constitute Channelview ISD’s endorsement of that product. This chart is offered for informational and/or reference purposes only. All data in the chart is subject to change.
4 Star Rating Scale Number of Stars Rating Uses Examples of Devices with this Rating
4 Stars Exceptional Has WiFi capability. Allows • Laptop students to create, edit, and • Netbook share documents, videos, and • Google Chromebook images. Ability to store files • Apple iPad on the device or in the cloud. • Android Tablet (Google Nexus, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Amazon Kindle Fire, Barnes & Noble Nook HD) • Windows 8 Tablet
3 Stars Great Has WiFi capability. Allows for a • Apple iPod Touch wide range of creative apps such as • Apple iPhone pictures, short video clips, and • Android phone texting. Only limited by account • Windows phone options and the availability of apps.
2 Stars Acceptable Has WiFi capability. Usable only • Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch for specific purposes, such as • Kindle (4th generation) reading eBooks. 1 Star Limited Not appropriate for BYD • Nintendo DSi Classroom use. May lack WiFi • Gaming consoles (Microsoft Xbox support, difficult to get content on 360/Kinect, Sony Playstation, Nintendo or off the device, or have gaming Wii) options.
Device Description
Laptops and Netbooks Laptops are great productivity devices because they support the same full versions of software applications that are used on desktop computers. They have a large screen and are heavier and less portable than other devices, such as tablets. Netbooks are smaller versions of laptops. They have a smaller screen and keyboard and are more portable than laptops, but they usually have less processing power than laptops. Laptops and netbooks have a keyboard and a touchpad mouse, but they usually do not have a touch screen. Laptops and netbooks are made by many different companies. Consider which type of operating system is installed as you evaluate which will work best for you. Common operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Apple’s OS X, Google Chrome OS, and Linux. Laptops/netbooks that run Google Chrome are referred to as Chromebooks, and they are a bit different from other laptops/netbooks. Chromebooks are designed to be connected to the internet. Chromebooks use apps from Google Play to access software that lives primarily on the Web, not on the computer. You cannot install traditional software on a Chromebook, but you can use apps and the Internet to perform most of the same functions you might do on desktops, laptops, or netbooks.
Device Features Image Star Rating • WiFi access Laptop • Larger screen size, not as portable as other devices • Great productivity device, supports same Cost approximately >= $275 software used on desktop computers
• Creativity programs including Microsoft Office suite • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Requires anti-virus/anti-malware • Depending on model: Built-in webcam • Web browsing • WiFi access Netbook • Smaller screen size, more portable than laptop • Great productivity device, supports same Cost approximately >= $230 software used on desktop computers
• Creativity programs including Microsoft Office suite • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Requires anti-virus/anti-malware • Depending on model: Built-in webcam • Web browsing • WiFi access Google Chromebook • Designed to be connected to the Internet and use apps from Google Play to access software Cost approximately >= $249 that lives primarily on the Web, not on the computer • Cannot install traditional PC software such as Microsoft Office Suite • Creativity programs including online Google apps; may allow access to online Microsoft Office suite. • A personal Google account is a requirement for using this device. • Local hard drive storage (small) & cloud storage • Requires anti-virus/anti-malware • Built-in webcam • Web browsing
Tablets A tablet is a one-piece mobile device that usually has a touch screen and an on-screen keyboard. Most tablets have Bluetooth compatibility so that you can connect a wireless external keyboard, if desired. Tablets are very portable and lightweight. Consider protecting a tablet with a durable case, such as an OtterBox or Gumdrop case, to protect it from accidental drops or while being carried in a backpack. Most tablets use apps, rather than traditional software, and apps must be downloaded from a specific online app store. Tablets are great productivity tools, and they have a wide variety of apps that allow students to research information, create original content, and share ideas. As you evaluate tablets, keep in mind that tablets usually have different features and functions than computers (desktops, laptops, netbooks) do. The exception is a tablet with Windows 8 Pro operating system: both traditional software and apps can be loaded onto it, and it has functions of both a tablet and a computer. Device Features Image Star Rating
Apple iPad • WiFi access • Cost approximately >= $199 - Portable $330 • Download paid and free apps from Apple iTunes App store. (Cannot install traditional Examples: software) Apple iPad 2, iPad 3 (with • Wide variety of creativity apps Retina Display) • Front- and rear-facing cameras for photos, videos, Apple iPad Mini video conference, scan QR codes Apple iPad Air • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage These models are compatible • Web browsing with newest iOS version • On-screen keyboard. Bluetooth compatible for external keyboard. (No USB port)
Google Android Tablets • WiFi access • Portable (screen sizes approx. 7 to 10 inches) Cost approximately >=$200 • Download paid and free apps from Google Play
store (Cannot install traditional software) Examples: • Wide variety of creativity apps Google Nexus • Camera for photos, videos, scan QR codes. Samsung Galaxy Tab Models that have front- and rear-facing cameras Amazon Kindle Fire are best for video conference. Series • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage Barnes & Noble Nook HD (discontinued) • Web browsing • On-screen keyboard. Bluetooth compatible for external keyboard. Some models have USB port.
Windows 8 Tablet • WiFi access • Portable Cost approximately >=$200 • Windows RT device: Download paid and free apps
from Microsoft store (Cannot install traditional Examples: software) Microsoft Surface RT or • Windows 8 Pro device: Supports same software Surface Pro used on desktop computers and can download paid Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 and free apps from Microsoft store Dell Latitude 10 • Creativity programs including Microsoft Office suite • Front- and rear-facing cameras for photos, videos, video conference, scan QR codes • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Web browsing • On-screen keyboard. USB and Bluetooth compatible for external keyboard.
• WiFi access Apple iPod Touch • Handheld (4.3 inches x 2.4 inches) • Download paid and free apps from Apple Cost approximately =$200 iTunes App store. (Cannot install traditional software) iPod Touch 16GB and • Wide variety of creativity apps 32GB/64GB are compatible • Front- and rear-facing cameras for photos, with newest iOS version videos, video conference, scan QR codes • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Web browsing • On-screen keyboard. Bluetooth compatible for external keyboard. (No USB port) Smart Phones Smart phones are similar to tablets. They are handheld and have a touch screen and an on-screen keyboard. Smart phones use apps that are downloaded from a specific app store and cannot have traditional software installed on them. Smart phones are usually purchased through a cellular phone company with a calling, texting, and data plan contract. The phone company subsidizes the cost of the smart phone, so the smart phone itself is often very inexpensive. Older model smart phones can be purchased for less or come free with a contract, but they will become obsolete sooner than a newer model. Consider keeping an older smart phone if you upgrade to a new smart phone. The older smart phone has WiFi capability and can be used as a WiFi-only device; it does not need a phone number or SIM card associated with it. Consider protecting a smart phone with a durable case, such as an OtterBox or Gumdrop case, to protect it from accidental drops or while being carried in a backpack. Device Features Image Star Rating • WiFi access Apple iPhone • Handheld (4.3 inches x 2.4 inches) • Download paid and free apps from Apple iPhone 4, 4S, and 5 are iTunes App store. (Cannot install traditional compatible with newest iOS version software) • Wide variety of creativity apps • Front- and rear-facing cameras for photos, videos, video conference, scan QR codes • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Web browsing • On-screen keyboard. Bluetooth compatible for external keyboard. (No USB port) • WiFi access Android Phone • Handheld (variety of sizes) • Download paid and free apps from Google Play store (Cannot install traditional software) • Wide variety of creativity apps • Depending on model: Front- and rear-facing cameras for photos, videos, video conference, scan QR codes • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Web browsing • On-screen keyboard. Bluetooth compatible for external keyboard. (No USB port) • WiFi access Windows Phone • Handheld (variety of sizes) • Download paid and free apps from Microsoft store (Cannot install traditional software) • Wide variety of creativity apps • Depending on model: Front- and rear-facing cameras for photos, videos, video conference, scan QR codes • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Web browsing • On-screen keyboard. Bluetooth compatible for external keyboard. USB port.
eBook Readers An eBook reader is a portable device that is used primarily for reading digital books, magazines, and newspapers. Some eBook readers have a Web browser for accessing the Internet, and some have an MP3 player for playing music. eBook readers usually do not have the ability to create content, so they are not ideal for Bring Your Device (BYD) Device Features Image Star Rating • WiFi access Barnes and Noble • Handheld (4.3 inches x 2.4 inches) Nook Simple Touch • Download paid and free apps from Apple iTunes App store. (Cannot install traditional software) Cost approximately >= $79 • Wide variety of creativity apps • Front- and rear-facing cameras for photos, videos, video conference, scan QR codes • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Web browsing • On-screen keyboard. Bluetooth compatible for external keyboard. (No USB port) • WiFi access Amazon Kindle • Handheld (variety of sizes) (4th generation) • Download paid and free apps from Google Play store (Cannot install traditional software) Cost approximately - $69 • Wide variety of creativity apps • Depending on model: Front- and rear-facing cameras for photos, videos, video conference, scan QR codes • Local hard drive storage & cloud storage • Web browsing • On-screen keyboard. Bluetooth compatible for external • keyboard. (No USB port) Other Devices
Other devices, such as handheld and full-size gaming consoles, often have WiFi and Web browsing capability. Due to their limited functionality, though, these devices are not appropriate for Bring Your Device (BYD). Students will not be allowed to bring these devices as part of Channelview ISD’s BYD program.
• Not appropriate for BYD Nintendo DSi • Handheld gaming console Cost approximately >= $100 • WiFi • Touch screen with stylus • Camera for photos, video • Web browsing
• Not appropriate for BYD Gaming consoles Microsoft Xbox 360/Kinect Sony PlayStation Nintendo Wii
***Adapted from the Georgetown ISD Mobile Device Chart