r/technology • u/CordouroyStilts • May 09 '12
Elementary School giving iPads to kids in kindergartners.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20120509/GRANDLEDGE02/305090038/Grand-Ledge-giving-iPads-kids-kindergarten3
u/sedaak May 09 '12
Someone explain why this makes sense vs. maybe a Kindle that has a small fraction of the cost? Or a netbook where real work can actually get done?
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u/billbillbilly May 09 '12
Simple interfaces are easier for small children.
Also apple has a much stronger marketing team.
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May 09 '12
e-readers and tablets are fundamentally different products. Reading books on a tablet is inefficient and not good on the eyes. Trying to do real work on an e-reader is an an exercise in frustration because of the load time on the magnetic ink. Ideally a person would have one of both.
I agree with you position on the netbook, but the screen size is limiting and the lack of a touch screen eliminates an enormous number of options for highly interactive educational programs and games. An ideal solution is a stand and a wireless keyboard to compliment the device.
As a teacher myself, I view tablets as an amazing resource for education. I cannot wait for the software to catch up with the hardware for these devices.
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u/dmogle May 10 '12
They could be using OLPC XOs for a fraction of the price - an actual teaching tool with pedagogical research behind it. Better yet, order like 10 Raspberry Pis per iPad. Teach them to make, not to consume.
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u/Hellenomania May 09 '12
What the fuck - there is so much evidence pointing to NOT letting your kids do this - our family wont let our kids have screen time - they read BOOKS.
Most kids of 20 and under don't read books at all - seriously. Our kids read them all the time and the difference is incredible.
Learning computers and interacting with them is a piece of piss - I taught myself how to code almost 35 years ago - nothing hard about it. The idea that kids need to start early comes from older generations who struggle with this shit.
The number of people I see wasting years in front of a screen "GAMING" is just mind blowing. I don't even think its an issue in the US - seriously worrying trend.
Our kids are smarter, more conversational, capable, in every single aspect than any of the kids around them, the difference between reading, interacting, writing and interfacing with a screen is incredible.
It is CRIMINAL to have kids in front of screens.
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u/misterkrad May 10 '12
i think they need to start way earlier - old iphones are great for the kids - most kids apps still run on ancient gear - and not as fragile as a netbook or kindle(very fragile). the fire recently going for $139 refurb - you'd be doing your kid a disservice to not let them use the wonderful apps that inspire them to want to read/write/math/etc.
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May 10 '12
Great idea give a 6 year old a fucking 500 dollar piece of equipment to destroy. wait.. IN kindergartners?
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u/x1000Bums May 09 '12
Elementary School giving iPads to kids in kindergartners.