December 2014 | Prepared by Clarity Innovations Android intheClassroom For InternalTrainingOnly Commissioned byIntel HAS MORESPACING HAS LESSSPACING INSIDE LOGOMARK INSIDE LOGOMARK SMALLER SCALE LARGE SCALE 112/114/113 707271 424 5/154/135 43A89A 3282 ® Education 95/96/98 54575A 425 132/161/196 84A1C4 659 109/190/189 6DBEBD 5493 236/220/152 ECDC98 461 ANDROID IN THE CLASSROOM For Internal Training Only

Executive Summary

Android-based for education is currently an equivocal choice — there are some clear benefits from using Android in the classroom, but there are also some potential challenges as well. These challenges may offer future opportunities for development; filling niches that are important to today’s educators.

ANDROID BENEFITS

Classroom Management Android-based devices work well with Apps for Education and the newly emerging for Education; helping teachers to be up-and-running pretty quickly. Many devices are now being designed in tandem with a teacher console that allows management of classroom activities.

Compatibility Android devices work well with — a popular resource for education — and file sharing is often simpler than with other platforms.

App-Friendly Many schools are embracing app-centric learning. Many Android-friendly apps are built in such a way that they provide a similar and often seamless experience regardless of Android device.

Speed and Battery Life Most Android-devices are fast, efficient, and boast a long battery-life, even with processor-intensive activities such as video capture and editing.

ANDROID CHALLENGES Really, the only significant downside to Android-based devices in education is the consistency factor, but it is a big issue. The open-source nature of Android means that there is little or no control (currently) over most devices’ OS updates, which could leave educators with devices that have an that no longer works with their key apps or with relatively new devices that have been summarily discontinued and no longer have tech support available. Android is relatively new to the U.S. education space, so there are many inconsistencies in terms of apps, hardware support, and software availability. No large districts have gone “all-in” with Android so there are no large scale implementation models, either.

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary 2

What is Android? 4

A Comparison of Operating Systems 11

A Comparison of Android OS Educational Devices 14

Device Comparison 16

Galaxy Tab 4 Education Android Tablet 24

ASUS Transformer Pad 25

Nexus 7 26

HP Slatebook14 27

LearnPad 28

Android TV 30

Wearables and Education 31

Android in the Classroom 32

Notable Android Deployments 38

Android in the Classroom Case Studies 41

References 47

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1. What is Android?

A. GENERAL OVERVIEW Android is an open source operating system (OS) owned by Google since 2005. Based originally on , Android launched in 2003 as the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), providing the documentation and free of charge to any developer who wanted to use it for creating and selling their own products.

Google’s purchase in 2005 was intended to get out in front of the then-emerging iPhone threat by acquiring an open source product that could permeate the marketi. At the time, Android’s smartphone was seen as a way to protect Google interests — as long as people were using Google’s phone to search the Internet (it was reasoned) they would have to be using Google. The initial Android smartphone OS was rolled out in 2007, trailing the iPhone release by less than a year.

Android phone sales overtook the iPhone in 2010 and the Blackberry in 2011, establishing it as the leader in the smartphone marketii. Android’s choice to go open source has resulted in it being able to take a staggering market share. The OS is used in multiple platforms rather than living in one proprietary device, and that has turned out to be a successful strategy.

While some manufacturers had already begun to revise Android for use in tablets, Google’s reach beyond the smartphone market started in 2011. The release of version 3.0 (“Honeycomb”) was the first operating system that was custom-designed by Android for use on tablets. This began to change Android’s position in the overall digital device market, as well as developing a potential in the education space.

By early 2013, both HP and Acer had announced Android-powered “all-in-ones” which combined touch screen capability with a desktop size screen. Android OS is now increasingly incorporated into tablets, , and more recently into “convertibles” and 2-in-1s.

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Today, other, non-computing uses also abound:

“A modified version of Android is used in the Google TV, the Barnes & Noble Nook eReader, the Galaxy Tab, and countless other devices. Parrot makes both a digital photo frame and a car stereo system powered by modified versions of Android.”iii

The open-source model continues to serve Android well, as the OS is now being used in devices manufactured by Acer, , , HP, and others.

B. ANDROID VERSION DEVELOPMENT Each Android update is named after a sweet treat and rolls out in alphabetical order. Recent updates have included Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, and Kit Kat, and the “L” update, Lolipop, has launched in some devices during the fall of 2014.

Android’s evolution has been dramatically rapid. In June 2014 Ars Technica (a self-described technical-geek publication) reported:

 “Lately, Android has even been running on a previously unheard of six-month development cycle, and that’s slower than it used to be. For the first year of Android’s commercial existence, Google was putting out a new version every two- and-a-half months. The rest of the industry, by comparison, moves at a snail’s pace. updates its desktop OS every three to five years, and Apple is on a yearly update cycle for OS X and iOS.”iv

VERSION HIGHLIGHTS Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0-4.0.4) was tasked with integrating the Honeycomb OS for tablets with the phone OS while focusing on significant improvements in the . This included changes to the visual interface featuring a cleaner design. Other improvements included,

“… a refreshed home screen, near-field communication (NFC) support and the ability to “beam” content to another user using the technology, an updated web browser, a new contacts manager with social network integration, the ability to access the camera and control music playback from the lock screen, visual voicemail support, face recognition for device unlocking (“Face Unlock”), the ability to monitor and limit mobile data usage, and other internal improvements.”v

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Ice Cream Sandwich was also the first version of Android to be integrated into and desktop computers.

Jelly Bean (Android 4.1-4.3) focused on improving the enhancements from Ice Cream Sandwich, with the idea that a smoother, more seamless interface was needed. Significantly, 4.2 was the first appearance of multiple user accounts (for tablets), supporting a somewhat primitive child safety lockout feature. Notably, effective child-safe accounts are still not available (in Kit Kat) and users are forced to use outside apps for that featurevi.

Kit Kat (Android 4.4) launched in October 2013, and as of October 2014 is the current version in use. The move from Jelly Bean to Kit Kat only featured one major “visible” element, and that was a change in the phone dialer navigation. Other changes that affected all Android devices include:

• Changing the OS to run on 512MB RAM: This was a strategic move intended to allow a deeper penetration into markets in developing nations. Most US and many European devices have no shortage of RAM (typically 1-3GB) but devices in emerging markets need to be cheaper and therefore carry less RAM. This change was also an “under the hood” improvement for users with the high-end phones, since,

 “By reducing the footprint you’re going to get better overall performance, faster multitasking and app switching, and your battery-life will likely get better, too.” vii

 This update may affect education applications, allowing schools to purchase inexpensive, small RAM devices and still have a full operating system.

• Direct access to non-Google storage: This new API allows users to more easily work on virtually- stored documents no matter where their accounts are housed. This change positioned Android to support educational users who may be restricted to intranet storage, or cloud storage under contract proprietary contracts.

•  app provided free: This app has been owned by Google since 2012, but the Kit Kat update made it available for users free of charge. This app was seen as a direct challenge to Microsoft, since it allows Android users to view, create and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. This change held potential for price savings for educational users, who would not need to purchase for Android devices.

• Printing API for wireless printing: This update supports Kit Kat devices in accessing any printer that has an app in the Play store. This also offers a potential advantage to classrooms.



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Lollipop: Launched in late fall 2014, the latest operating system is a significant update: featuring a sleek design, fast interface, increased power and generally more tactile experience than previous versions. The new interface is clean and simple—similar to the iOS user experience—with a significantly updated graphic look, more swipe features, and compatibility with 64-bit devices. The look is “flat,” with menus and widgets exuding a more two-dimensional effect. Most every aspect has been “polished” and made more customizable with a sub-menu grid of apps. The home, back and open apps buttons are on-screen as before, but now geometric shapes which will spin depending on what the app needs them for. The notifications are also much less obtrusive and the keyboard has been overhauled as well. In terms of security, Lollipop features SELinux enforcing for all applications providing better protection against vulnerabilities and malware.

Other new features include (a health and fitness tracking program), increased compatibility with Android and non-Android wearables, improved video streaming with H.265 4K, improved performance and battery life through the use of a new , and corporate data separation—allowing protected business-only areas on the device. Another new feature is the Android TV interface: a that scans streaming services and other video feeds based on your typed or spoken (via ) search features. It also supports game play, and regular broadcast viewing. There are as-of-yet no devices announced to play Android TV, but the controller interface is shipping ready to go in the Lollipop OS.

Some experts see Lollipop as the next logical steppingstone for Google. MEC Global is the fifth-largest media agency network in the world and Kamil Yadalle (Head of Emerging Platforms) predicts:

“Once Android TV gains a sizeable user base, Google will be able to identify a user and serve them with appropriate content.”xi”

OS UPDATE CHALLENGES The two factors that make Android successful (open-source and a rapid development cycle) have at the same time led to an increasingly difficult rollout of updates to Android phones and tablets:

“..the Android update is fraught with challenges, especially in comparison with Apple’s iOS. Updating the iPhone or iPad requires just one player — Apple. So the process tends to be relatively quick and simple. Creating an update for an Android phone or tablet requires the initial work of Google followed by testing and customization by phone makers. Wireless carriers then have the final word, performing their own testing as well as planning and implementing the actual rollout.”

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The release of Kit Kat is a case in point; at 6 months after the release, only 10% of North American users on phones and 10.6% of tablets were updated to the new OS. By contrast 22% of phones and 28% of tablets were still using Gingerbread or older versions. As a point of comparison, the iPhone OS8 release had 46% penetration five days after the releasexii.

xiii

These difficulties can frustrate the typical Android user waiting for the updated OS to filter down to their device. Android’s Kit Kat update (4.4) took almost 8 months to reach all the devices using the OSxiv.

APP UPDATE CHALLENGES The aggressive revision cycle in the Android OS can cause other unexpected problems. As an app-driven device, an Android tablet or computer could be subject to cloud rot:

“Many features are heavily reliant on Google’s servers to function. With fewer and fewer people using old versions of Android, those servers are being shut down. And when a cloud-reliant app has its server support shut off, it will never work again — the app crashes and displays a blank screen, or it just refuses to start … While it’s easy to think of this as a ways off, it’s happening right now. While writing this piece, we ran into tons of apps that no longer function because the server support has been turned off. … Some apps even worked one week and died the next, because Google was actively shutting down servers during our writing.”xv

Google recently announced it has discontinued access to the QuickOffice app (less than a year after offering it for free) and is clearly expecting all users to move to using and Sheets instead. The changes to those apps in the past 6 months have made them increasingly facile, but have also set off a number of complaints, including no folder organization for docs, clunky formatting issues, and lots of clicking and

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handling to be able to work with Microsoft Office documents or older Google docs items. Many users complain that there is not enough backwards compatibility and the update has made their device obsolete.

“The end result is apps mayhem. In some cases, the apps simply won’t run on some devices. Other times, the apps run, but certain features won’t work. And in some instances, the apps appear to run fine for a few minutes, but then suddenly stop working.xvi”

The Google/Android partnership is good for innovation and certainly the next patch or update will address some of these issues, but rapid innovation can be at odds with stability, which is a trade-off that may be problematic for educators.xvii

It seems however that these issues have not appreciably slowed Android sales. In the summer of 2014, Android mobile devices are overwhelmingly the largest seller worldwide: Android phones are holding about 84% of the market sharexviii and Android-based tablets are 70% of the market sharexix.

C. OPEN SOURCE DEVELOPMENT Open source allows developers to customize the Android skin — adding features or hiding others — when they deem it advantageous to customize the product in a way that will allow them to distinguish themselves from other manufacturers.

While that has given consumers a lot of choices, it has also complicated the Android landscape.

“One of the biggest problems with Android nowadays is that manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, and Motorola alter the operating system with custom ‘skins’ that dramatically change the look and feel from Google’s android original vision.”xx

Exactly which features a consumer is getting on any specific Android device needs to be investigated closely, since manufacturers can either strip off free features (and offer revenue-generating apps in their place) or add their own features or apps which might not be compatible with an earlier Android purchase.

While the Android system is open source, there are still limits in place for how far individual manufacturers can go in creating a “fork” (changing anything inside the OS itself). Google’s Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) is a set of tools that are used to test and approve every Android system as modified by every manufacturer and every carrierxxi.

Unfortunately what is “compatibility” from one perspective is “no competition allowed” from another. Google’s control over the Android “killer” apps (, Gmail, Maps, Google Now, Hangouts, YouTube,

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and the Play Store) keeps original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) from forking the Android OS, cloning the apps and setting up a directly competitive product. These key apps (and others that Google is slowly bringing into the proprietary fold) are essential to device sales.

However,

“While it might not be an official requirement, being granted a Google apps license will go a whole lot easier if you join the . The OHA is a group of companies committed to Android — Google’s Android—and members are contractually prohibited from building non-Google approved devices.xxii

When Acer began to manufacture devices in China using a non-compatible Android fork (Alibaba’s Aliyun OS), they were ordered to shut down operations or lose Google apps on their other devices.

To date, the only company able to buck this trend is with the 2011 fork they created in the Kindle Fire line. By the CTS standards, Kindle is “incompatible” with Google’s Androidxxiii, which means that no OEM that is part of the Open Handset Alliance can manufacture the line. And Amazon had to create its own (and apps) for use on the Fire line. Any other company who might want to develop a competing product would have to approach it like Amazon—it is a “no turn back” decision.

D. ON THE HORIZON The last part of 2014 and the spring of 2015 may be a watershed moment for Google and Android. Rumors have been rampant since 2013 that Google had plans to kill off Androidxxiv (in favor of Chrome) but now it seems that, instead, they are re-inventing and re-branding the OS with two new approaches.

Android One Announced in the summer of 2014, this is a hardware complement to the 512MB OS that debuted in Kit Kat, and is another move to take a significant mobile share in emerging marketsxxv. In order to keep costs low, Google will design the hardware and pass on those plans to approved manufacturersxxvi —this saves investment costs for smaller companies and is seen as a move (in part) to undermine Samsung’s stranglehold in the Android market (for which Google receives no revenue). In order to produce and sell devices with the “certification,” companies will be required to sell them with only Google- owned pre-installed apps (no “bloatware”), with Google committing to lifetime Google-provided updates to the OS (fixing the roll-out delays): a benefit that in the past had only been available to Nexus owners.xxvii

Android Silver At the other end of the spectrum, Google is expected to announce Android Silver, a set of specifications for devices that will standardize hardware quality at the high end. Similarly to the Android One, Google will provide the initial engineering investment, and then contract with manufacturers to create devices that:

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“… ‘closely adhere to Google specifications’ and will ‘sharply limit the number of non-Google apps that can be pre-installed on devices’.”xxviii

Other speculations for the new Silver includes a bricks and mortar in-store presence for Android Silver (with kiosks selling only the high end devices) and 24/7 Google hangout-based technical support similar to that offered now by Amazon for their Fire devices xxix.

Both of these ideas signify a seismic shift in the Android horizon; making Android look a lot more like iOS. Google’s increasing amount of control over hardware, software and manufacturers are ideas that fly in the face of Android’s open source beginnings and enormously popular acceptance. However, it seems to also signify that Google intends to increase its investment in Android, ensuring future development and a business model that promises the OS’s viability. Google clearly sees the Android fragmentation (discussed above) as a serious issue, and is setting place plans to address that.

The magnitude of this shift cannot be understated; as a noted on About.com only a short time ago,

“Android is an exciting platform for consumers and developers. It is the philosophical opposite of the iPhone in many ways. Where the iPhone tries to create the best user experience by restricting hardware and software standards, Android tries to insure it by opening up as much of the operating system as possible.”xxx

E. Educational Opportunities in the Android OS With Google making such large changes in their attitude toward Android, there may be an opportunity for them to also create an “education only” set of mandated specs that would draw on the developments already in process. Specifying devices that would use the 512MB Kit Kat, paired with a manufacturer that commits to offload apps that are not used in typical classrooms, combined with a commitment from Google to push the OS updates (and keep all apps appropriately aligned) could make for a package that is at least as compelling as the from a cost and maintenance perspective.

2. A Comparison of Operating Systems

A. Since Google owns both Android and Chrome, there has long been discussion about which of them would be allowed to survive, or if they will simply be merged into one solution. Google’s ongoing answer to those questions is “: None of the Above”. They continue to support both OS’s. And as recently as the spring of 2014, Senior VP of Android, Chrome and Apps at Google explained Google’s perspective

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“…view them as building blocks. By investing in both, we believe that over time we will be able to meet almost all use cases”.xxxi

Continuing to support both systems makes a certain kind of sense: they are not the same operating system and support very different kinds of devices. Android runs (mostly) through computer-based apps and a Chromebook runs (mostly) on cloud-based apps. Google’s ambiguity is also market-related: Android is hugely popular and holds a significant market-share. Even though Google has not yet found a way to monetize Android at the level they would like (due to open source sharing), they can’t just pull the plug. On the other hand, (so far) have a fairly small market share. With an estimated 5 million units expected to sell in 2014, Chromebooks have about 2% of the market. However, that is a 79% increase over 2013 salesxxxii, so — as an OS product line—it has a lot of promise.

However, many experts believe that Google’s declarations notwithstanding, Chrome and Android are on a collision coursexxxiii. The cloud/computer line is getting evermore blurry and as more web apps and more robust web-apps are developed, it may be that somewhere on the horizon the two operating systems will become one, or at least merge into one device. And that may not be so far off: Android “L” (due out in late fall 2014) is including a feature that allows your Android device to unlock your Chromebook whenever they are close together. Notifications will appear on both devices simultaneously, and there are apps that allow users to “handoff” an item created in one system/device to open on the otherxxxiv.

B. Apple iOS Like Android, Apple’s iOS launched first as a phone-based system and then moved into tablets. Early development similarities stop there, however. The iOS was based on the same core as the successful OSX that was already driving Apple computers. Since its inception, Apple’s operating system (iOS) has been tightly controlled and only meant to work on the very small offering of Apple devices. In its initial years on the market, no third party apps were allowed, and only one manufacturer and one carrier (AT&T) were allowed.

There are pros and cons to this proprietary control: since all iOS apps have to be approved by Apple, they all have a similar user interface, making them very easy to implement. There is no market fragmentation and users know exactly what they are getting when they buy an Apple device. Apple’s major elements are “baked in” to the OS, but the development process has been remarkably free of bloatware, keeping the system quite responsive even with a rich set of featuresxxxv.

The downside of that is a lack of customization. The iPhone limits where and how you access features and content, unlike Android OS devices:

“Once you are familiar with the Android OS, it gives you much more control on the phone and lets you customize your phone in many different ways that iPhone’s

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don’t (custom widgets, etc.). Once you configure your Android in a few very simple steps, you can have your Facebook posts and notifications, tweets, emails, texts, the weather, your music, etc. all on your main page, without even needing to open an applicationxxxvi.”

Apple’s tight control also means a certain level of reliability in device support. Since Apple has so much money tied up in a very small line of devices, its decision to stop supporting devices or old OS versions are very linear and fairly predictable. Android devices and versions are much less predictable and manufacturers have repeatedly released a device only to kill it off the following year, leaving purchasers stranded for tech support. As noted above in Educational Opportunities in the Android OS, another element that could increase educational sales would be a commitment on the part of the manufacturer that the devices would be supported for a minimum number of years, and that specific educational apps would be guaranteed to remain compatible through the life of the device.

Apple iPads have created a massive demand for tablet computing and have seen early adoption by schools, due mainly to the intuitive interface and the range of new applications. Key advantages include the high quality, ease of use, a large range of applications, a reliable OS, and good battery life and performance. Its main limitations are that it is proprietary, single source hardware with a lack of support for existing content, connectivity, and network resources. Limited configurability means it is difficult to secure and costly to manage and provision content on multiple devices.

Another significant difference between Apple and Android is in the development and delivery of apps. As of October 2014, the Android app store claims over 1 million apps available. It is, however, impossible to tell how many of those run on all of the devices, some of the devices or even none of the devices. The Apple store claims about the same number of apps (1.2 millionxxxvii) but due to their stringent control on app development and OS releases, it is highly likely that most or all of those apps work on most or all of the currently supported Apple devices.

C. Windows OS While Windows OS is a major player in the desktop market, they have not gotten a foothold in mobile devices, and theories abound to explain this. Even though one of the earliest tablets (2002) was the Microsoft Tablet PC, and a re-engineered tablet (Slate PC) with preceded the iPad, the Windows tablets and phones have not proved popular.

In 2012, the launch of was meant to reposition the OS to work in tablets but the change to the interface was so jarring to many users, that even two years later the cry, “you’ll pry Windows 7 from my cold dead hands” is still commonxxxviii. Additionally, in spring 2014, Microsoft’s new CEO, Satya Nadella, announced Windows Office for iPad and made it clear that Microsoft’s new strategic direction was away from its long-standing “Windows first” policy and moving back to its roots as a software companyxxxix.

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“The key advantages of Windows-based tablets are their closer integration with existing network infrastructure and greater support for existing content. There are multiple hardware vendors with good external device support. The main limitations are that they are more expensive than other solutions, with a more system intensive

OS. Many existing applications are not suited to the tablet format or may not run on specific hardware.”xl

D. Kindle Fire As discussed earlier, Amazon’s Kindle Fire is the only Android OS with a fork in the OS. Because of this, the Fire OS is considered “incompatible” with Google’s Android and instead it is actually (potentially) in direct competition with Android devices. This decision was initially extremely successful for Amazon, grabbing 54% of the Android tablet market less than a year after the initial Fire releasexli, but by 2014 sales had dropped to a mere 12% and Google’s Android OS was back in control of the tablet sectorxliii.

Amazon is slowly making moves into education through devices, apps and curricula, and the Kindle Fire or the Fire HDX is the Amazon device most likely to be useful in the classroom. While it does not run the wealth of Android apps (yet), the size, cost, and speed position it closely to the Galaxy Tab , the and the G Padxliv.

At present, Amazon is, essentially, a sleeping giant in education. They have created a number of solutions that, if adapted or scaled for education, could outstrip many of their competitors. Should they decide to go “all-in” with a set of more robust solutions and offerings, Amazon will have an incredibly disruptive impact on the ed-tech space – potentially as significant as the shifts that Chromebooks and iPads have wrought over the past five years. In our research, we have found no reason to conclude that the company has a plan or timeline in place to “go big.” Rather, should Amazon decide to do so, it is very well positioned.

3. A Comparison of Android OS Educational Devices

INTRODUCTION According to a study conducted by Harris Interactive for educational publisher Pearson where 2,300 American students in grades 4 through 12 were polled about their use of digital devices for educational purposes, 21 percent use “full-size” tablets (such as the Google ), while slightly more (23 percent) are using small tablets, such as the 7.xlv

Seventy-two percent of students use tablets for research, followed by homework, at 62 percent. Forty-five percent indicated they use their devices to check assignments, a figure that climbs 10 percentage points

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at the high school level. The vast majority of students (92 percent) said they think (agree strongly/agree somewhat) that tablets will change the way students learn in the future. A surprising 90 percent said they think tablets make learning more fun, and 82 percent said they help students do better in class.

Apple’s hold on the education sector has slackened as it has become clearer that sleek devices made for consuming content aren’t always the best fit for the classroom, not to mention a school’s infrastructure. This has left the door open for a new wave of devices specifically designed with education in mind.

There is a range of different tablet-based devices available, each with assorted benefits and limitations. Understanding each device, its key features, and how it can be used within the school environment is essential for school- and district-wide deployments.

THE ANDROID DIFFERENCE Based on Google’s open source OS, many top manufactures including Samsung, Motorola, , , Acer and Asus have released high quality tablet computers running the Android OS. The key advantages are that there are multiple hardware manufacturers and varied price points. They support Adobe Flash content and external USB devices. There is also a greater level of support for network resource and connectivity. The flexible OS allows customization and easier management and control. Its main limitations are its proprietary content is more limited and market applications are not curated.

According to a 2011 Forbes survey, the age demographic of Android OS users is 18-35 years of age.

“If younger folks are adopting the Android ecosystem now – or more importantly, choosing the Android OS as their first entry into the smartphone space – they are more likely to stick with it in the future.”xlvi

Android tablets boast a variety of form factors, are easily shared between students, and can be set up for an entire classroom in minutes as opposed to days. These tablets come with the best of Google apps like Docs, Drive, and Chrome, and access to the wide variety of educator-approved apps in Google Play for Education. Simply tap the device to device to set up a classroom of tablets in just minutes through NFC touch deployment technology.

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Device Comparison

DEVICE COST COMPATIBILITY COLLABORATION MANAGEABILITY NETWORKING & CLASSROOM CHIP PERIPHERALS USABILITY

Galaxy Tab 4 $349.99 Integrates with Google Play The dual band Wi- Administrators Students can print Google Play for 1.2 GHz Quad-Core for Education, providing Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n experience easy work directly to Education gives teachers access to a wide selection of ensures that all management with wireless printers via access to approved tools teacher-approved content students in a a simple-to-use the Samsung Mobile and content that help with NFC technology. classroom are able Android console. Print app. them meet the individual Multi-window capability to get on the Internet Deployment is equally needs of today’s allows two multi-window at once. Front and simple, with NFC students. supported apps to be open rear-facing cameras touch deployment at once. (3 megapixel rear, technology enabling 1.3 megapixel front) administrators to set encourage creative up a classroom of learning possibilities. tablets with content in just minutes instead of hours.

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ASUS Transformer $299 Works well with Google Low-cost helps to All devices on 16 GB Embedded A significant benefit ® ™ Pad (TF103C) apps, such as Google Docs, encourage 1:1. With domain can be MultiMediaCard, and feature of the Z3745 Dual-Core, nd Adobe® Flash® support. more students having easily managed with supports microSD Transformer for 1.86 GHz The tablets can be used as devices, there is Microsoft’s System , one classrooms is its docking a learner response system more opportunity Center Configuration Micro-USB and one option with QWERTY in conjunction with for collaboration Manager USB 2.0. keyboard. Not only interactive whiteboards, as between devices. does the docking option well as applications, such Being both a enhance productivity, as Skitch, where students tablet and a laptop but it also extends can use the tablets as a encourages mobility the battery life by an dry erase board to answer and flexibility in the additional 6.5 hours. questions. classroom, and the Adobe® Flash® support device’s compatibility makes the device useful with tools such for most education as Google apps websites. allow students to collaborate most anywhere and at most anytime.

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Nexus 7 $229.99 Due to the large number Google Apps allows, Set up a classroom’s No rear-facing As Google Play for 1.5 GHz quad- of Android apps available, amongst other things, worth of tablets in camera reduces the Education allows apps to core Snapdragon schools believe students students and teachers just a few minutes, device’s use as a be deployed to students’ S4 Pro processor can create and work with to work together in simply by bumping photography/video accounts rather than to all industry standard the same document. them together. creation tool. the devices, teachers can documents and formats. Tablets with Google And enable truly get an app to a specific Play for Education personalized learning, student instantly. If a have made it easy for even if your school’s student is struggling, the students to access not ready to go 1:1, teacher can quickly find their Google Apps by adding up to five and deploy it to them accounts through student accounts to a to aid learning. Equally, a single log-in. single shared device. if a student is excelling Teachers frequently in a subject, the teacher share images and can help accelerate their documents for their progress with more classes through advanced learning apps. Google Drive.

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HP Slatebook 14 $429.99 Android apps are supported Collaborate via HP With quad Intuitively interactive ® ® 4 by Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Miracast: Connects aggregates content BeatsAudio™ 14 inch diagonal 1080p mobile processor OS. wirelessly to other into easy-to-search speakers, the HD 10-point capacitive displays using folders, while HP HP SlateBook is touchscreen with Miracast technology. Connected Drive and designed for the extended battery life of the app allow you best-sounding, up to 9 hours delivers to share and access richest audio on a an engaging multimedia between devices. notebook. Keyboard, experience. however, doesn’t detach causing difficulty when interacting with screen. It has 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, HDMI and headset jacks, a micro SD card reader.

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LearnPad $239.99/ LearnPad has 200 AnswerGarden is a LearnPad’s Accessories include: InClass allows Octavo: 1.5Ghz quad- starter lessons feature that allows ClassConnect portal LearnPad Stylus, students to easily core ARM processor $329.99 aligned to both K-8 users to share their provides teachers Bumper Case, and quickly access Quarto: 1.6Ghz quad- Common Core Math responses around a with the ability to headphones, silicone their personalized core ARM processor and ELA, as well as central theme. For easily control and USB keyboard, resources on any California Standards each Answergarden manage tablet usage, keyboard, device. Students for Science and Social activity you create it either individually or and/or clamshell can login to network Studies. This library will generate a unique as groups. ClassView keyboard. resources and of resources is meant web page address provides real-time home drives and to serve as a starter which teachers can collaboration and teachers can create collection for teachers copy into their supervision of unique, customized to add to and create Lesson. This can be student tablet activity. learning profiles for standards-based used to generate Teachers can monitor individual students. lessons for their ideas to be individual or grouped With ClassCloud, a classroom. LearnPad used within a devices, present student can easily supports a wide specific lesson to student work to the submit their work variety of tools which help facilitate class and provide for marking, allowing enable some really collaboration and direct assistance to the teacher to creative teaching and support student those who need it quickly asses the learning. learning. most. students level of comprehension, and provide additional support as needed.

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Google Nexus 10 $399.99 These tablets come Multi-user support Teachers can set up Google’s Nexus 10 2560-by-1600 1.7 GHz dual-core with the best of lets each user have a classroom’s worth supports near-field (300ppi) display Cortex-A15 Google apps like their own separate of tablets in just a communication and ultra-powerful Docs, Drive, and space – students just few minutes, simply (NFC) for contact-free graphics processor. Chrome, and access turn on their tablets by bumping them sharing and services Over 4-million pixels to the wide variety of and tap their photo together. And with means that text is educator-approved to sign in to their own access to Google’s sharper, HD movies apps in Google Play homescreen, apps, Admin console, are more vivid and for Education. email, photos and schools can manage photos are highly storage. No need to devices easily. detailed. log in and out each time.

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Kindle Fire HDX $199.99 There is no access Minimal. The Kindle Schools can now Keyboards and There is no Qualcomm to Google Play. Fire is based on a centrally manage ruggedized cases. multitasking so Snapdragon 805 While free apps are customized Android a Kindle reading switching apps, system-on-chip which available, the list is OS making it more program using opening books, consists of a 2.5GHz still controlled by than just an e-Reader. Whispercast, loading movie or quad-core Krait 450 Amazon, a company Amazon’s free even navigating to CPU and Adreno 420 The Kindle Fire not that invented the self-service tool. a new section is GPU only opens e-books Kindle Fire to sell With Whispercast, problematic. but full-colored more content in this schools can reduce e-zines, video, apps, case, than apps. the administrative games, audio books The selection of cost and complexity and music content apps simply cannot of distributing books are all available compare to that of to students on their through Amazon’s Apple’s App Store Kindles or any device content stores. Web or even Android’s with the free Kindle browsing, through the Google Play. app, including iPad, Silk browser, is also Android phones and possible. tablets, PCs, and Macs. Schools can also provide a safe browsing experience for students on Kindle.

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Amplify Tablet $359.99 The Amplify System Standard Amplify has Included: The Amplify Market 2.0 GHz dual-core comes with intuitive collaborative abilities developed a mobile provides students Processor • Headphones instructional of a tablet. device management and teachers with a Z2580 • Protective case software, including: (MDM) platform safe, highly curated • External keyboard purposely built for K-12 app store. Real-time assessment K–12 education; it We partnered with tools to check for Optional: allows district IT to Common Sense understanding manage thousands • Projector cable Media to offer Classroom of tablets remotely • SD Card access to a host of management tools and securely. • Tablet-charging appropriate, high- and controls Administrators can carts quality educational Playlist Builder for easily provision and apps with educator easy digital lesson configure each device reviews and ratings, planning and content down to an individual lesson ideas, delivery user basis—all standards and wirelessly, with no skill alignment. Quiz Builder for need for charging or Districts can also creation, distribution sync carts. bulk-provision apps and scoring of through Amplify assessments Market, installing Assignments for apps onto student posting, submission and teacher tablets at and commenting on scale. student work all in one place

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Galaxy Tab 4 Education Android Tablet

SPECS 10.1 inch TFT capacitive touch screen display 1.5 GB RAM 1280 x 800 pixels resolutions 16 GB internal memory, extendable up to 64 GB via microSD Android 4.4 KitKat OS with Touchwiz on top Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, NFC, and HDMI port 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Quad core processor 6800 mAh battery

Educational Use Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab 4 in Spring, 2014, aimed at the educational market. This device is priced at $369.99 and comes with a 10.1-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display, ruggedized chassis, and a battery life of 10 hours (normal use). The tablet is compatible with Samsung School — a total education and classroom management solution that offers more flexibility in storing, managing, and sharing educational content and student information — that lets teachers track the activities of the students, and it can be bought from Google Apps for Education web console for an extra $30. Samsung has added a multi-window feature so that students can read and take notes at the same time. The device’s size means that the Galaxy Tab 4 — when paired with a keyboard — could be used for testing.

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ASUS Transformer Pad

SPECS 10.1 x 7 x 0.4 inches Storage Type: SSD

Screen Size: 10.1 inches Storage Capacity (as Tested): 16 GB

Processor Speed: 1.86 GHz Additional Storage: MicroSD

Weight: 1.22 lb Ports: micro USB, Proprietary

Screen Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels Camera Resolution: 2 MP Rear; 0.3 MP Front-Facing

Intel Atom Z3745 Video Camera Resolution: 720p

Android 4.4 Wi-Fi (802.11x) Compatibility: 2.4GHz/5GHz

Screen Type: IPS LCD Bluetooth Version: 4.0

Screen Pixels Per Inch: 1280 x 800 ppi 5 hour, 20 minute battery life.

RAM: 1 GB

Educational Use The TF103C runs Android 4.4.2 with Intel’s Atom/BayTrail quad-core processor inside. This affordable hybrid 2-in-1 device — with wide-screen HD display and detachable keyboard — has useful preloaded apps, free storage and media services, and plenty of customization options. Even though it doesn’t boast the “sexiest” design in the space, its many features (with over 1000 upgrades and enhancements over the standard Android operating system) and slick user interface make it an attractively affordable option for students. Note: Asus has added a few power saving modes, which limit network connections and background data to varying degrees. Teachers can utilize Google Play for Education and easily manage tablets using the Google Android Management Console, a web-based environment that lets teachers set up and manage users, apps and policies across classrooms, schools, or a whole district.

“Taken in isolation, the Asus Transformer Pad TF103C is a nice entry-level tablet. It’s not appreciably better than most of the competition, but it represents a good value, since $299 (16GB) gets you the 10.1-inch tablet and the signature transformer keyboard dock. That bonus puts it a notch above similarly equipped tablets like the Tab 4, which costs $50 more, and makes it a good choice for mobile productivity on a tight budget.”xlvii

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Nexus 7

SPECS 7.02" 1920x1200 HD display (323 ppi) GPU: Adreno 320, 400MHz

1080p HD IPS Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G) 802.11 a/b/g/n

Scratch resistant Corning® glass NFC (Android Beam)

1.2MP front facing camera, fixed focus Bluetooth 4.0

5MP rear facing camera, auto focus Optional 4G LTE

Battery life of up to 9 hours active use Choose 16GB or 32GB internal storage

Wireless charging built-in (Qi compatible) 2GB RAM

Stereo speakers Ports: microUSB, SlimPort™ enabled, 3.5mm audio

Surround sound, powered by Fraunhofer Microphone

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, 1.5GHz Sensors: GPS, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Compass, Ambient Light

Educational Use Google’s Nexus 7 features a clean, simple design, a slim, lightweight profile (just 0.64 lbs) and 9 hours of HD video playback and 10 hours of web browsing or e-reading: plenty for a full school day. With 323 pixels packed into every inch, students can read text that’s sharper than the printed page. Since Google makes Nexus 7, it carries the additional benefit of ensured delivery of OS updates within days of issue, along with higher app compatibility. Due to its size, however, it cannot be used for testing.

Nexus 7 was the first tablet to ship with Android 4.3, with the ability for educators to set up separate accounts so that devices can be shared amongst students, with each student having a separate customizable space, including personal home screen, wallpaper, apps, storage, and more. Note: The Nexus 7 went out of stock on the Google Play Store in mid-September, 2014. It could be a sign that something new is coming.

“Students liked the ability to see an ‘at a glance’ view of their applications via widgets. The Android platform allows users to add calendar widgets for class, extra-curricular and homework schedules as well as quick access to Gmail, docs and news feeds.”#

  When considering tablets in the classroom, teachers should definitely begin to consider the Nexus 7 with Android OS. With tablets, it’s not about the vastness of the app store, but rather about the ease of use and integration into a student’s academic schedule. For elementary students, the Nexus 7 might be a challenge to operate.”xlviii

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HP Slatebook14

SPECS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean7 0.63 in (H) x 13.54 in (W) x 9.45 in (D)

Nvidia® Tegra® 4 mobile processor with quad-core CPU 3.75lb (1.8 Ghz) GPU Memory Dual Channel support 14.0-inch diagonal FHD BrightView WLED-backlit Display (1920x1080) Touchscreen Brightness: 270 nits On-board 2GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM Beats Audio™ - Quad speakers

16GB eMMC (WiFi only) 8 (Front-facing) HP TrueVision HD Webcam with integrated digital microphone 32GB8 Wireless1x1 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth® 9

64GB eMMC (WiFi only) 8 Ports & connectors: (1) SuperSpeed USB 3.0, (2) USB 2.0, (1) HDMI version 1.4b

Educational Use The HP Slatebook 14 runs a pure version of the Android operating system, priced to sell at $399. It features a traditional notebook body, but its 14-inch display is a touchscreen, making it one of the largest portable devices running pure Android. Despite this, the device is only 16mm thick and a relatively light 1.7kg (3.7 pounds). The exterior of the Slatebook 14 features a yellow trim that accents its thin frame and gives it a youthful look. With a thin profile and quick access to the Web, Gmail and Android apps, it is an ideal education tool in schools. The SlateBook 14 comes with Google certification, giving it access to the Google Play Store, , , and the lot. Regardless of how schools embrace the notion of an Android powered laptop, it provides yet another inexpensive option for schools to reach 1:1 tech-to- student ratios.

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LearnPad

LearnPad Octavo SPECS Quad core 1.5Ghz CPU Wi-fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4/5Ghz)

7.85″ 1024×768 IPS display Micro USB slot

1GB RAM/16Gb storage Micro SD slot

10 point multi-touch capacitive screen Micro HDMI

5Mp rear & .3Mp front cameras +5v DC USB power input

LearnPad Quarto SPECS 9.7″ 1024×768 IPS Display Front 2Mp; Rear 5Mp cameras

Quad core 1.6Ghz CPU Wi-fi 802.11 a/b/g/n Dual band 2.4/5Ghz

1GB RAM/16Gb storage GPS

10 point Multitouch capacitive screen Micro USB, SD & HDMI

Educational Use LearnPads have been designed specifically for schools to provide a high quality, safe and secure tablet computer to allow students to access existing eLearning content as well as other school network resources. LearnPad takes full advantage of the new generation of ‘apps’ and content being developed for mobile devices. Central monitoring and control was a fundamental aspect of design. The key advantages include that fact that it was developed on Google’s Android OS ensures the most cost effective and flexible platform, as well as being available on a number of different hardware vendor devices, thus providing schools with a choice. It features an integrated secure web browser, with an ‘on-device’ white-list of approved websites. Teachers can create interface profiles for individual students, year groups or even subject areas. Once created, profiles can be applied either at the device itself, via QR codes shown to the built in camera, or deployed to a group of LearnPads via the management portal.

Using its admin functions, each teacher can program LearnPad groups–or individual devices–to do pretty much anything they need done in the classroom by uploading or sharing materials. It’s built on the Google Android operating system, which means it supports Flash. Over 90% of educational content requires Flash. If a teacher wants to focus tablets on one topic (say, STEM), it’s easy to set up LearnPads with access to programs, online tools, websites that revolve around one theme, then reprogram them when the class changes topics. LearnPads carry no access, subscription, renewal, download, installation, or reoccurring costs beyond initial cost. They also exceed all requirements for the PARCC and Smart Balanced Assessments. Additionally, the company has free online Professional Development as well fee-based seminars through suppliers on a large mix of topics.

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“Effectively, LearnPad is a layer which sits on top of the Android OS … although an iOS version is soon to be released as well. As such it allows learners to access apps and websites stipulated by the teacher, and only those stipulated. Although working on an Android tablet, learners are locked into the LearnPad environment that is designed and controlled by the teacher. For their part, teachers can ‘Unlock’ the tablet out of LearnPad and use it as an Android tablet within the vast Android eco-system.

LearnPad is built around Profiles. These are screen-views into which learners are locked, and can be designed by teachers to suit the specifics of their subject, curriculum or key stage. Within Profiles sit Categories, which contain Activities:

• Activities – apps and icon-based web links

• Categories – a selection of Activities built around a theme

• Profiles – a selection of Categories, again built around a theme

 The LearnPad store contains around 800 Android apps and web links, although it is incredibly easy for teachers to create their own web links. If a teacher uncovers an Android app which isn’t contained within the LearnPad Store, they can add it to the school LearnPad system quickly and enable learners to use it – this extends the 800 available apps to around 1 million.”xlix

LearnPad Octavo LearnPad Octavo is a 7.85″ tablet device featuring a quad core processor, dual band Wi-Fi and a 5Mp rear camera. It’s highly portable, yet its vibrant IPS display provides enough screen space to work comfortably with websites and digital content. It is the ideal size eBook reader, with its 4:3 aspect ratio screen giving excellent viewing of text in either portrait or landscape modes.

LearnPad Quarto The LearnPad Quarto is a 9.7″ tablet. It’s fast with the latest generation Quad core processor and now features dual band Wi-Fi (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz), upgraded 5Mp rear camera as well as GPS.

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Android TV

In mid-October, 2014, Google unveiled both Lollipop and the (AKA Android TV). Nexus Player (a collaboration with Asus) is a streaming media player for movies, music and videos that is also a “first-of-its- kind” Android gaming device. Nexus Player is Ready so teachers and students can cast media from almost any Chromebook, tablet, and Android device to a HDTV or monitor.l It is the first Nexus device to feature an Intel processor, and is priced at $99.

Nexus 9 and Nexus Player were available for pre-order on October 17 and in stores starting November 3.

Nexus Player is powered by the 22nm, quad core, 64-bit enabled Intel® Atom™ processor (Moorefield) and “delivers both speedy performance and a smooth and responsive experience. It offers a console-like gaming experience and the latest and best video compression unlocks up to a 1080p HD viewing experience with fast and smooth video streaming – driven by a Quad Cluster 3D graphics engine with smaller, faster transistors.”li

Some possible classroom applications for the Nexus Player include:

• A means of moving around the classroom while mirroring the content from a teacher’s tablet device, smart phone, or laptop. By standing at the front of the room teachers often act as barriers to students seeing what’s on the board. Moving around also helps to hold student attention.

• Demonstrating new educational apps or useful online resources

• Sharing student work or allowing students to present their work directly. Sharing of work keeps students motivated, either with the prospect of having an outlet for expression and getting acknowledgment, or to do their best because their work will be judged by peers.

• Correcting documents to highlight common issues in student work. This provides immediate feedback, allowing learning to happen “in the moment”

• Sharing digital textbooks

• Sharing YouTube and videos

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Wearables and Education

In light of Apple’s announcement on September 9th 2014 heralding the imminent arrival (early 2015) of the company’s first wearable device — Apple Watch — the digital wearables market has gained considerable momentum.

According to a study by the International Data Corporation, approximately 111.9 million wearable devices will be sold in the year 2018lii. In March of 2014, Google announced Android Wear — an operating system which turns Android into an ultra-simple OS for watches— with a set of partner-manufactured smartwatches are being planned for the masses. Currently, Google Play offers three distinct smartwatches utilizing Android Wear technology: Gear Live, Moto 360 and G Watch.

Android Wear and Apple Watch devices could fuel the next wave of innovation in the classroom.

One key to wearable technology’s proliferation in the classroom is a subject that has inspired a lot of debate in education–that of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies. More and more schools and colleges allow students to bring their personal devices into the classroom to aid in the learning process. If wearable tech is to make a similar splash in education, BYOD policies would need to spread even further. Many educators and analysts say there’s just no stopping the trend.

Here are some ways that education could benefit from Android Wear.

“• Get Real time notifications about classes and exams: Android Wear powered smart watches can be connected with school management apps that will notify students of classes in a day and changes in schedules in real time.

• Assist teachers in marking attendance: Apps for the school management systems can integrate with Android Wear and assist teachers to mark student attendance by tracking student presence in a classroom.

• Plan daily study routines during class: With the easy access that these devices provide students can immediately note down and plan activities & assignments created by teachers in classes.

• Keep track of fitness during exercise/games: With inbuilt sensors in the devices, students can keep track of their workout in school games/gym and school physical instructors can plan specific regimens for their students using this data.

• Real-time Search: Students need not rummage through their jeans pockets to grab their hefty phones out. With Google Now and voice integration, a search is just an ‘OK Google’ away on an Android Wear.

• Voice Recording: Students can record lectures right from the Android Wear without fumbling with recording devices and later transfer to their phones or PCs for future reference.

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The Downsides • Android Wear has to be coupled with your Android phone/tablet: Understandably Android Wear enabled devices can’t work on their own and it has to be paired with either your phone or tablet. So if you’ve forgotten your phone at home, that smart watch is pretty much useless.

• Constant notifications can be annoying. Having an Android Wear worn around your wrist means you’ll be constantly notified of text , emails, Google Now preference and whatnot.

Battery Drain As the Android Wear is constantly connected to your phone and most likely via Bluetooth, battery drain could be a major issue. Even in regular use, ’ batteries might not even last couple of hours.”liii

4. Android in the Classroom

INTRODUCTION Increasingly students have Android phones as opposed to iPhones. Android phones make up more than 50% of the smartphone market, so it is very widespread. It is rare to find an app for iOS that is not available for Android (and vice versa). Android works well with Google’s many apps and resources — unsurprising, considering Android is made by Google — so if a classroom is utilizing Google Apps, Android is an obviously strong option.

“Every app I want or need is available on Android. For the most part the functionality and features are the same between Android and iOS versions. Sometimes the iOS version has more features, sometimes the Android version does. In general, there isn’t much difference.”liv

GOOGLE APPS FOR EDUCATION Google Apps For Education is a cross-platform suite of tools for teachers to teach, students to learn and for administrators to support. Designed to work with Macintosh, Apple and Linux systems, Google Apps for Education allows schools to search for education apps by subject matter and by grade level. The apps submitted to the store are reviewed and recommended by educators, who help to categorize and align them with the Common Core State Standards.

In May of 2014, Google announced that — a web platform for managing assignments and projects — is available to all Google Apps for Education users in 42 languages, optimized for both desktop and mobile use.

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Educators can assign projects, dispense information through announcements or real time discussions, and collect assignments using Google tools. And — as with Google’s Apps for Education services — Google assures that Classroom won’t use student data for advertising purposes.

GOOGLE PLAY FOR EDUCATION In June 2014, Google announced its Google Play for Education: a free service available to US K-12 schools using managed Android tablets. Google Play for Education is an extension of Google Play, only designed for schools where educators can discover Android apps approved by teachers for teachers, as well as educational videos and a collection of classic books for their classroom. With Google Play for Education, teachers and administrators can browse content by curriculum, grade, and standard and discover apps, videos, and other content — with many recommended by teachers and categorized according to familiar Core Curriculum standards.

Teachers can search for approved apps by grade, subject and standard, including Common Core State Standards. Schools can also set up purchase order accounts with Google, so that it’s easier for teachers to go ahead and make purchases for their classes or just for individual students who may show an interest in a specific topic, for example. Previously, this often meant that teachers would pay out of their own pockets and then try to get reimbursed — which doesn’t always happen. With Google Play for Education, schools can simply give teachers the ability to make purchases (up to a set limit).

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Instant distribution lets educators push apps instantly to student devices. They can send the apps to individuals or groups of any size, across classrooms, schools, or even districts.”

With Google Play for Education, educators are able to make high-volume purchases using standard institutional payment mechanisms and then distribute apps to the students who need them — whether it’s a class of 20 or a district of 20,000.

“One of the most interesting things revealed was the ability for teachers or administrators of the program to send out applications for the entire fleet. So, say that a teacher has decided they want a specific math program for their class of students using Nexus 7 tablets. Using this service, the administrator would be able to get the program pushed to each tablet using Google’s service seamlessly and effortlessly.”lv

“When the students are equipped with tablets with Google Play for Education, the class feels like a more creative, dynamic learning environment”

— Joel T. Handler, Director of Technology, Hillsborough Township Public Schools

“With a new curriculum around the corner, tablets with Google Play for Education are key for helping students to see the bigger picture, obtain multiple perspectives and express considered opinions. As a result, students’ papers are now more dynamic.”

— Cathy Cowan, eighth grade teacher, KIPP Bridge Charter Schoollvi

COMPATIBILITY WITH CHROME Google has made the Google Play for Education page and app delivery system work for Chrome apps, Play Store books, and other content. It should be a familiar and relatively easy way for teachers and administrators accustomed to Chromebooks to enhance the educational possibilities in the classroom.

According to the Google Enterprise Blog, the Google Play for Education system will allow teachers to remotely install a Chrome app on an entire classroom of Chromebooks, or just one laptop. They’ll also be able to create custom playlists of YouTube videos and reading material.

“During the Google I/O 2014 keynote in June, Google showed off new features headed for ChromeOS, including Android apps that will be able to run in Chrome. Now if

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developers code apps in a certain way, a school administrator could install them on every Chromebook and Android tablet in an entire school in a few seconds.”lvii

On the Chrome OS side, Google Play for Education works very much like it did before. Apps are curated by a select group of teachers, for example. Just like in the old version, they also get access to Google’s bookstore for schools where they can then rent or buy books for their students starting at $1 per student for 60 days of access.

According to Rick Borovoy, Google’s product manager for Google Play for Education:

“By offering support for both tablets and Chromebooks, schools don’t have to think device first. They also don’t need to involve IT when they want to add an app to their students’ laptops or tablets, something that can be a major hassle and take away any spontaneity from teachers, especially in school systems where the IT departments are often understaffed.”lviii

GOOGLE PLAY VS. THE APPLE STORE Android’s Google Play store has just officially reached over 1 million apps and it is now finally outgrown the Apple App Store and its 900 000 applications.lix

The average price per application comes in slightly lower than Apple at $3.06. Although these numbers seem relatively close, it’s worth noting that many of the apps that cost money to download in the Apple App Store are free via Google Play.

ANDROID APP DEVELOPMENT One major complaint among Android users is app-compatibility issues among differing devices. It is not uncommon for a user to have some favorite apps that are simply not compatible with a new device they may purchase. This is due to the relatively non-uniform standards that make up all-things Android.

Android’s 4.4 Kit Kat release offered a noticeably more uniform experience across devices with different hardware/screen size combinations and a host of new features designed to implement outside services more smoothly.

In terms of development, Android apps are typically available for purchase and download within hours of submission. A submission to the Apple App Store, on the other hand, can take 4-6 weeks (or longer) for approval before becoming available to consumers.lx

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“While most Android tablet apps get knocked for being “stretched smartphone apps”, Google is pushing hard for developers to optimize their educational suites for 7” and 10” tablet form-factors.”

 Also, to ensure that Google Play for Education isn’t flooded with a slew of shoddy apps, each educational app must be submitted for approval not only from a Google reviewer, but also an educator. Google doesn’t indicate what the credentials of the “educator” will be, but does note that they will “perform a first-pass qualification of apps, assigning the appropriate subject, grade, and common core standards metadata.”lxi

POSSIBLE ISSUES WITH SCHOOL DEPLOYMENT Smartly and swiftly developed Android apps are a win for both Google and schools. But the deployment of these apps onto a wide range of devices utilizing different Android operating systems can result in frustration for end- users.

“For example, Google recently shipped Chrome for Android…. Unfortunately, it requires Android 4 and around 1% of the installed base is currently running that release. When a new version of Android comes out, you’re going to have to wait for your reseller to port their changes the new version of Android. This is the same problem that Android phone users have with Motorola, HTC and other OEMs - except that educational resellers are often far less well-funded and capable than major handset manufacturers.

One of the claimed strengths of the Android platform is the ability to download software from anywhere and install it on your device. If you’re going to download and install apps from all over the web, you had better be sure that the base OS is bang up to date with security patches…. Android makes no guarantees about the security of your data while using backup. To my mind this, alone, is a deal-breaker for Android in education. In a world in which the you deploy is going to be a serious computer that pupils will use to generate work for exam-level assessment, you had better have a way to back up and restore their data.”lxii

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Some Android champions consider it a smarter platform choice for institutions to use because:

1. Flash support  Flash runs fine on Android phones and tablets, no matter what some pundits would have the public believe. Why wouldn’t a university choose a device that runs a multimedia web standard, giving students access to the full Internet as it currently exists?

2. Side-loading With the click of a button in Settings, you can load apps from unknown, non-market sources with Android. This means institutions can quickly develop and deploy custom apps targeted at their students without having to go through a third-party market or cumbersome approval process. Seton Hall is already doing this by creating its own chemistry science app for its ThinkPad deployment.

3. Device choice With Android, institutions have lots of hardware choices from different OEMs that come in many different specs and sizes. This is the kind of flexibility an institution should have at their disposal for a sustainable tablet program.

4. Cost savings Android tablet prices are now plummeting. With the introduction of the Kindle Fire, institutions will soon be able to get a slick Android tablet for the low price point of $200. (Note: If Amazon locks down the Fire by disabling side-loading and forcing everything through the Amazon App store, then it is really no better than an iPad. Luckily with Android, there are always alternatives). Higher-end tablet options like the Acer Iconica Tab or Asus Transformer (sans keyboard) run around $400. That’s still cheaper than iPad and with more functionality (as they run Flash).lxiii

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Notable Android Deployments

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Falconer Elementary School in Chicago Public Schools

Devices: HTC Evo tablets In the case of the Chicago study, this was the first technology program that actually allowed the students to take their devices home with them. Most of the students (61 percent) did not have high-speed Internet access at home prior to the Making Learning Mobile project. And most had more limited access to technology on a regular basis than other students nationwide on average.

According to the researchers, “Across the board, access to a tablet computer significantly changed the learning environment for the 5th grade students, both in school and at home.” Among the positive changes cited in the report:

• Students had greater access to learning resources outside of school, an the students’ use of the devices for educational purposes “exceeded expectations”;

• Teachers increased their communications with students and “creatively used the tablets in a variety of ways to engage students in learning”; and

• Students changed their learning behaviors as a result of having the devices.

The study found that, contrary to some fears or expectations, students did not engage in “bad behaviors” as a result of having access to mobile devices at home. It also found, however, that teachers need support and clear goals for instructional use of mobile devices.

FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Eighth-graders at Stone Middle School in Fairfax County Public Schools

Devices: HTC Evo tablets Over in the more affluent Fairfax County, where the students tended to have greater-than-average access to and familiarity with technology, the tablet program was found to have a positive impact both in and out of school. According to the report, the tablets:

• Allowed the students to increase the sophistication of their mobile learning activities;

• Helped the students access learning materials at home “without having to compete with peers or family members” for Internet access; and

• Gave teachers the opportunity to improve their productivity and “create new learning environments for their students.”

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PARADISE VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN ARIZONA

Device: .1 SPECS Operating System: Android™ 4.1, Camera: Rear (5MP); Front (1.9MP)

Jelly Bean Special Features: Multiscreen;

Display: 10.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) Video Pop-Up Play; Drag and Drop;

touchscreen Handwriting Recognition

Processor: 1.4GHz, quad-core

After being granted a $40.1 million bond and budget override to update its outdated computer fleet, the district decentralized its procurement process to allow schools autonomy to choose their own devices.

Samsung presented PV Schools with a range of device options, from Chromebooks and , to Android-based tablets including the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 with advanced handwriting and drawing functionality. The Samsung technology has proved a popular choice with many of the district’s schools, with approximately 4,000 devices rolled out during the 2012/13 school year and projections for this to triple in the following 18 months.

With the new technology already in the classroom, the district has seen improved teaching methods from faculty and is establishing a modernized learning environment for its students. Additionally, the Samsung technology is helping PV Schools prepare for the upcoming Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) online testing, which begins in 2015.

http://www.samsung.com/us/system/b2b/resource/2013/07/18/Case_Study_PV_Schools_Chrome_Tablet_EDE_ Final.pdf

BOWLING GREEN R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT, MISSOURI Bowling Green R-1 School District launched a pilot of its 1:1 tablet project, placing 250 Android tablets from Lenovo and Vizio in selected classrooms across its elementary, middle, and high schools.

Lenovo offered to let the school district try its ten-inch ThinkPad tablets — pre-loaded with QuickOffice , compatible with the district’s printers, and available for less than $300 — before a purchase, and they were off to the races.

Bowling Green’s tablet pilot program is relatively limited and mainly focused on the high school, as it stands today: Four of Bowling Green high school classrooms have a tablet for every chair, while four 7th grade teachers are sharing one classroom full of tablets. The elementary schools are participating as well, with some classrooms offering five tablets to share.

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http://www.citeworld.com/article/2115554/tabletsndroid-tablet-bowling-green-school-district/tablets/android- tablet-bowling-green-school-district.html

Kuno Tablets San Felipe Del Rio District in Texas deploying 1,600 Kuno tablets instead of iPads, Wise County Public Schools (Virginia) rolling out 600 Kunos, and William M. Bass Elementary (Virginia) and Morton District (Illinois) are both using about 100 Kunos in their classes.

The Kuno’s biggest fans are in the Midwest, with Martin Elementary School in suburban Chicago rolling out 1,200 Kunos, Cardinal High School in Iowa (530 Kunos), and, of course, Indiana, where Wawasee High School and Beech Grove City Schools have each rolled out more than 1,000 Kunos, and Crothersville HS has deployed 600.

http://www.zdnet.com/this-is-the-biggest-competitor-to-the-ipad-in-the-hot-education-market-7000004446/

LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 156, ILLINOIS Lincoln Elementary School District 156 is a public school located in Calumet City, IL. It serves 1,100 students from grades pre-kindergarten to 8th. Art, music, physical education, and technology are core programs. With the adoption of in grades 4th to 8th and the recent adoption of ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T tablets for grades K to 3rd, the school has been able to achieve school wide 1:1 student-computing.

Since the school used a lot of Google apps, such as Google Docs, Lincoln Elementary was leaning toward adopting an Android-based tablet. A significant benefit and feature of the Transformer was its docking option with QWERTY keyboard. Not only does the docking option enhance productivity, but it also extends the battery life by an additional 6.5 hours*. The dock’s 4-in-1 SD card reader can be used to boost the tablet’s installed memory and the USB 2.0 port connects peripherals. But the ultimate deciding factor in choosing the Transformer turned out to be its Adobe® Flash® support.

http://commercial.asus.com/case_studies/Lincoln_Elementary_School_District_156_-_Education

CENTRAL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA At Harvest Elementary, Central Unified launches its 1:1 tablet program to put tablets in the hands of every student in the school district. It is said to be the first in the state, and possibly the nation, to do this.

It took Central five years, several partnerships and more than $20 million to complete its tablet program, which provides a 4G signal to every tablet and a tablet to each of the district’s 15,500 students, Superintendent Michael Berg said.

The Asus Android tablets cost the district $2.5 million, he said. It cost $5 million for the fiber optics and Wi-Fi access to every classroom. District funds paid for the tablets and federal funds paid for the wiring and other

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digital access costs, he said. The district also has spent about $15 million for professional development in past five years.

http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/08/13/4068903_for-these-fresno-students-school.html?rh=1

5. Android in the Classroom Case Studies

LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT Lincoln Elementary School District 156 is a public school located in Calumet City, IL. It serves 1,100 students from grades pre-kindergarten to 8th. Art, music, physical education, and technology are core programs. The district is dedicated to preparing its teachers and students for an information-based, technological society where they will adapt teamwork and problem-based learning strategies as pedagogical tools for the future. With the adoption of netbooks in grades 4th to 8th and the recent adoption of ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T tablets for grades K to 3rd, the school has been able to achieve school wide 1:1 student-computing.

(http://www.l156.org/)

“With the goal of preparing students for the 21st century working environment in mind, Lincoln Elementary recognized the importance of incorporating technology into the classrooms, specifically adopting a 1:1 student-computing program. Especially, since the majority of students come from low-income households, access to technology in the classroom is even more important to provide equal educational opportunities. Previously, only students from grades 4th to 8th were supplied with a . The school decided K to 3rd grade students also needed a computing solution as well to get off to an early start in developing necessary 21st century skills.”

“When testing netbooks versus tablets among K to 3rd grade students, it was readily apparent students had a desire to touch and tablets would be better suited for their educational needs. The most difficult part came in evaluating and determining which brand and model to go with. The hardware guidelines dictated by PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) standardized testing immediately eliminated the 7” tablets. Since testing is administered from 3rd grade and up, Lincoln Elementary wanted a device great for learning but also compliant with the testing guidelines.”

“Tablets were also evaluated on criteria that included memory cards, memory slots, USB ports, battery life, and durability. Toshiba’s Thrive™ tablet was found to be highly durable but was ruled out since it measured 2.5 times thicker than the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T. It ultimately came down to choosing between the ASUS Transformer and the iPad 2. Since the school used a lot of Google apps, such as Google Docs, Lincoln Elementary was leaning toward adopting an Android™ -based tablet. A significant benefit and feature of the Transformer was its docking option with QWERTY keyboard. Not only does the docking option enhance productivity, but it also extends the battery life by an additional 6.5 hours*. The dock’s 4-in-1 SD card reader

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can be used to boost the tablet’s installed memory and the USB 2.0 port connects peripherals. But the ultimate deciding factor in choosing the Transformer turned out to be its Adobe® Flash® support. Of the top 10 websites most used by Lincoln Elementary teachers, 8 only worked on the Transformer. Docking options are currently used with the tablet in 3rd grade classrooms only, but enough docks have been purchased for grades K through 2nd as well.”

“Results have thus far been positive. Compared to the previous pen and paper format, students are more engaged and learning is better tailored to their individual needs. The tablets are used as a learner response system in conjunction with interactive whiteboards, and are used with applications, such as Skitch, where students can use the tablets as a dry erase board to answer questions. Another application used with the tablet is Study Island [that] incorporates interactive features and games to help students in K-12 master state standards while having fun. The application’s real time performance reporting helps teachers create individualized learning plans for students.”

“Users can enjoy increased mobility and productivity with the Transformer Pad TF300T, the successor to the TF101 tablet. Equipped with an NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 processor and the latest Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, the tablet delivers improved performance in a sleeker and lighter form factor. Productivity is not sacrificed for portability with the optional docking station with QWERTY keyboard that extends battery life up to 15 hours* and the tablet’s multiple preloaded productivity applications.”lxiv

HARVEST ELEMENTARY At Harvest Elementary, Central Unified launches its 1:1 tablet program to put tablets in the hands of every student in the school district. It is said to be the first in the state, and possibly the nation, to do this. Electronic tablets in bright orange cases were everywhere the first day of school Wednesday at Central Unified School District.

http://ha.centralunified.org/

“The district in northwest Fresno is one of the first in the state to put tablets in the hands of each student -- from kindergartners to high school seniors -- to use in classrooms and at home.

‘I do think you’re leading the nation,’ said State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torlakson, who was at Harvest Elementary School to help commemorate Central’s tablet launch.

The focus now must be on replicating Central’s success across the state and nation, he said. The “No Child Left Off Line” goal is to have tablets in the hands of California’s 7 million students five years from now, he said. “I made that target and I believe we can do it -- we must do it.”

It took Central five years, several partnerships and more than $20 million to complete its tablet program, which provides a 4G signal to every tablet and a tablet to each of the district’s 15,500 students,

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Superintendent Michael Berg said.

The Asus Android tablets cost the district $2.5 million, he said. It cost $5 million for the fiber optics and Wi-Fi access to every classroom. District funds paid for the tablets and federal funds paid for the wiring and other digital access costs, he said. The district also has spent about $15 million for professional development in past five years.

The speed at which schools can connect to the Internet is taking on greater importance as schools in California are shifting to computer testing rather than pen-and-paper tests.

But more important, the investment to take the district from pen to allows all children in the district to have equal access to learning, Berg said. A survey of families taken a couple of years ago showed 35% had no Internet access in the home, he said. With the 4G wireless plan from AT&T for the tablets, every home has access, he said.

Harvest Principal Robert Perez said only half of the families at his 632-student school had computers at home. Parent and child can use the computers for learning, he said. ‘I think that’s an important component.’

Starting next week, Harvest will offer tablet classes after school in English and Spanish for students and parents, Perez said.

This year, students will use the computers in classrooms for math and reading, Berg said. The math program, ST Math, was created for the district by MIND Research Institute, an independent nonprofit.

‘It will take time to replicate all textbooks,’ Berg said, but in the meantime, teachers are encouraged to take information from textbooks and plug it into a technical platform.

Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, who also was at Central’s tablet launch, said that providing children access to information inside and outside the classroom is invaluable: “We will note in years to come this is a milestone.” lxv

CRESWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Creswell Middle School received a loaner set of 25 Android tablets from Intel Education to explore how these devices work in the classroom. The school got to put the tablets through their paces for a month, and then shared what they thought.

http://www.creswell.k12.or.us/wp/crnt/ “Though a somewhat rural district, Creswell has made technology-infused curriculum a priority. In fact, Creswell School District Superintendent Todd Hamilton is emphatic about getting his staff up-to-speed on the latest innovations in education technology.

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‘In this time of budget reductions and restrictions, we need professional development more than ever,’ Todd says. ‘So I’m committed to providing that wherever possible. I send our more technologically adept teachers to various ed-tech conferences. It’s nice to get our folks out there. When they get back, they are excited to share what they have learned.’

 One of Creswell Middle School’s more tech-savvy teachers, Rob Jerome, focuses much of his energies on integrating technology in his classroom. For instance, as part of Jerome’s Social Studies class, he had his students create medieval civilizations using Mine Craft.

‘That’s a great example of a teacher getting out of the way to let learning happen and not getting hung up on procedure,’ Todd explains. ‘It comes down to asking ‘”how does technology provide engagement?” Another example was where we had one student who simply hated writing. One day, though, his teacher saw the student chatting on AOL: he popped up and was IM-ing a storm. So the teacher put him in front of a computer and found the student had a lot to say! Technology can be a tool that really works for kids.’

Creswell Middle School received a class set of ” devices from Intel Education. The school got to put the tablets through their paces for a month and then share what they thought. Eighth Grade Math teacher Stan Mercer used the devices in his art class, asking the students to create their own version of Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night using the Android tablets and a painting app.

‘The level of engagement was incredible,’ Stan relays. ‘Logistically, we’re just not able to have all the kids have oil paint. I can’t imagine what that would cost in materials. With an app, they can erase. MyScript calculator is one of my favorites. It allows you to perform mathematical operations naturally using your handwriting. I think that’s what calculators will be like in the future. With the app, it’s about what you think: the concept behind the equation. It took an obstacle off the table, and the kids were much more engaged: pushed to higher levels of thought. It’s up to us teachers to guide that, so that our students can produce real-world results.’

Hamilton is another huge advocate of apps for learning.

‘Our schools have a very app-centric way of thinking, which is yet another reason that the devices worked so well for us,’ he says. ‘Most apps are built in such a way that you don’t notice the differences of the devices you’re using. There’s more of a seamless experience with apps. It goes back to what do you want to do? How can we support the kids?’

According to Mercer, the students preferred using the tablets for research over their classroom’s netbooks because they were much faster. And, though keyboards were provided, his students never really used them. Teacher Rob Jerome was impressed with the device’s long battery life.

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‘It would last for days!’ Rob says with a grin. ‘As teachers, we’ve been looking for an all-purpose technology solution. Our netbooks now seem really slow in comparison. We were surprised by how much more we could accomplish with the tablets. Android is much higher on our list now. We’ve seen where the rubber hits the road with them. We do a lot of project-based learning so, as a tool, we’ve seen how the tablet could fit in with out curriculum. They are great at taking video for instance. You can’t even buy a digital camera for that price!’

Ben, an eighth grade student who is considered by many at Creswell Middle School as the school’s unofficial Director of Technology, also sang the praises of the tablets.

‘Kids like Android stuff. iPhones are for old people,’ Ben shares. ‘I loved how well the devices worked with Google Drive. I could upload photos much easier than with an iPad. I’ve used lots of other tablets and I think Android tablets are the best. With Apple stuff, there’s no control over where to put files. With Android, the files are right there, and you can do so much more.’

Yet, as any educator knows, sometimes kids can do too much with their devices. The task of managing devices on a classroom level can seem daunting to many teachers, hindering implementation efforts and buy-in. But the teachers at Creswell Middle School are unfazed by the challenge.

‘Classroom management of devices is very teacher dependent,’ Rob explains. ‘It takes trust in between the teacher and the student. With the Android tablets, the students felt like we were all on the same page. And Google Apps for Education makes it all easy-peasy. You’re up and going pretty quickly. The tablets are so close to phones that the learning curve wasn’t a big deal. The devices were lighter than we thought, and the screen is spectacular. For teachers, it was harder because you need to know how to teach with them.’

Stan chimes in.

‘If a student is misusing the technology, I hear about it: There is no honor amongst thieves in middle school!’ he adds with a laugh. ‘I think the devices are no different than handing the kids a pencil and paper. Do you worry about what they draw? It goes back to trust and good morals. Despite our ‘phones off’ policy, I let my students use their phones sometimes as calculators because research on their netbooks is so slow. One day, we were making 3-D models of pyramids and cubes. I saw a kid texting and called him on it. He was texting mom about how cool his project was! The kids are usually pretty good about technology use because they know that they’re making me look bad if they abuse it. The tablets fit more seamlessly with the kids’ phones, especially since more kids use Android phones these days.’

As Hamilton and his teachers reluctantly returned the classroom set of Android devices, Stan shared some parting thoughts.

‘Schools can’t afford to jump on an expensive bandwagon that’s going nowhere,’ Stan explains. ‘And ten years from now, things will be so different that students will be asking their teachers ‘you had math books!?’ The

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kids are hungry for technology. And they deserve the best. Devices like the Android tablets help even the playing field too. The kids need the same chances to access the same resources. And when they do, they amaze me everyday!’lxvi

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References

i http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any- means-necessary/

ii http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-android-2013-8?op=1

iii http://google.about.com/od/socialtoolsfromgoogle/p/android_what_is.htm

iv http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/06/building-android-a-40000-word-history-of--mobile-os/

v http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_4.0

vi http://www.androidcentral.com/how-use-android-43-s-restricted-profile-feature

vii http://pocketnow.com/2013/12/06/kitkat-versus-jelly-bean

viii http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/google-android/3529366/android-l-vs--8-comparison-preview/

ix http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/325082/the-10-coolest-features-in-android-l/10

x http://recombu.com/digital/news/what-is-android-tv-everything-you-need-to-know

xi http://www.thedrum.com/news/2014/08/20/predictions-googles-next-decade-10-years-after-its-ipo

xii http://www.fastcompany.com/3036136/fast-feed/apple-ios-8-adoption- reaches-46?partner=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_ campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company%29&utm_content=FeedBurner

xiii http://bgr.com/2014/04/11/android-kitkat-vs-jelly-bean/

xiv http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/08/the-state-of-android-updates-whos-fast-whos-slow-and- why/#p3

xv http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/looking-at-the-android-operating-system0.html

xvi https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs&hl=en

xvii http://www.techtimes.com/articles/13252/20140818/windows-phone-rip-android-ios-account-for-96- 4-percent-of-global-smartphone-sales.htm

xviii http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Android-tablet-market-share-hits-70-in-Q2- iPads-slip-to-25-Survey/articleshow/38966512.cms

xix http://www.debate.org/debates/iOS-is-better-than-Android-OS/1/

xx http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-benefits-importance-of-compatibility.html

xxi http://mashable.com/2011/09/29/amazon-kindle-fire-android-hijack/

xxii http://readwrite.com/2013/03/07/android-is-dead-long-live-google

xxiii http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/26/5845562/android-one-google-the-next-billion

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xxiv http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/25/google-android-one/

xxv http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/buying-advice/google-android/3533490/android-one-vs-android-silver- vs-google-nexus/

xxvi http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-silver- everything-you-need-to-know-1246714

xxvii http://google.about.com/od/socialtoolsfromgoogle/p/android_what_is.htm

xxviii http://www.omgchrome.com/chrome-os-android-merger-plans/

xxix http://www.computerworld.com/article/2491109/windows-pcs/chromebooks-may-grab-5-of-pc- market-about-the-same-as-apple-s-mac.html

xxx http://www.cnet.com/news/android-or-chrome-will-google-ever-decide-on-one-os/

xxxi http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/google-android/3529366/android-l-vs-ios-8-comparison- preview/

xxxii http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/13/2612736/ios-history-iphone-ipad

xxxiii http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/02/itunes-app-store-now-has-1-2-million-apps-has-seen-75-billion- downloads-to-date/

xxxiv http://www.pcworld.com/article/2597567/why-microsoft-needs-to-reveal-windows-9-sooner-than- later-the-end-of-windows-7.html

xxxv http://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbettertech/2014/03/31/why-the-microsoft-surface-just-died- last-week/

xxxvi http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/04/amazons-kindle-fire-now-the-1-android-tablet/

xxxvii http://www.businessinsider.com/a-look-at-amazons-kindle-ecosystem-3-2014-2

xxxviii http://www.itworld.com/mobile-wireless/404688/android-tablet-deathmatch-amazon-kindle-fire- hdx-versus-samsung-galaxy-tab-3

xxxix http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/nexus-7-vs-lg-g-pad-8-3-vs-galaxy-note-8-kindle-fire-hdx- android-tablet-battle/

xl http://www.pearsoned.com/research/prek-12-research/

xli http://www.technology-in-education.co.uk/features/taking-the-right-tablet/

xlii http://hackeducation.com/2013/05/17/google-play-for-education-versus-the-open-web/

xliii http://www.forbes.com/sites/taesikyoon/2011/09/14/apple-versus-android-its-all-about-the-demo/

xliv http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2460022,00.asp

xlv http://www.edutopia.org/blog/options-increase-google-ed-market-andrew-marcinek

xlvi http://hothardware.com/News/Intel-launches-new-7-10inch-Education-Tablets-With-Optional- Sensors-Android-OS-/#!bIldBp

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xlvii http://www.newwaystolearn.com/#!The-only-way-to-use-Android-in-Education/ce0g/50D8EEAB-F32C- 4C3A-9968-2FA5697D8F22

xlviii http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS24794914

xlix http://foradian.com/googles-android-wear-how-it-is-going-to-innovate/

l http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/android-be-together-not-same.html

li http://newsroom.intel.com/community/intel_newsroom/blog/2014/10/15/intel-powers-nexus-player- fully-supports-lollipop

lii http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/p/android-for-education.html

liii http://www.androidpit.com/google-play-for-education-android-for-the-school

liv https://www.google.com/edu/tablets/

lv http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/06/25/google-adapts-the-google-play-for-education-platform-for- use-on-chromebooks/

lvi http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/25/google-play-for-education-goes-beyond-tablets-now-available-for- chromebooks-too/

lvii http://www.phonearena.com/news/Androids-Google-Play-beats-App-Store-with-over-1-million-apps- now-officially-largest_id45680

lviii http://www.udemy.com/blog/ios-vs-android-vs-windows/

lix http://www.dailytech.com/Google+Play+for+Education+Launches+for+Android+Tablets+Targets+K12/ article33744.htm

lx http://www.speirs.org/blog/2012/3/6/we-need-to-talk-about-android.html

lxi http://betanews.com/2011/10/13/higher-ed-should-get-over-its-love-affair-with-ipad/

lxii http://commercial.asus.com/case_studies/Lincoln_Elementary_School_District_156_-_Education

lxiii http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/08/13/4068903/for-these-fresno-students-school.html

lxiv http://www.k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/android-in-education-case-study.pdf

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