While the iPad is a fantastic product, integrating it into a classroom is not without its challenges. Whilst most are not insurmountable, there can be issues in some schools.
And so, while the iPad is still the dominant tablet on the market, there are others positioning themselves as a better solution for schools, most running Google’s Android operating system.
Learnpad is one of these, a purpose-built tablet aimed squarely at the educational market. LearnPad classroom tools simplify the use and control of tablets in the classroom, helps teachers deliver engaging lessons and provides an easy way to manage the process of distributing and sharing classwork with students.
I’ve been having a play with a LearnPad over the summer, and been impressed with what I’ve seen. Here’s some of the key features.
Set up via QR Codes
One of the cool features of the LearnPad is the way that it uses QR codes. In the admin area, administrators and teachers can set up QR codes for things like the Wifi details, Lesson Profile and more. These can be printed off, or displayed on the IWB. The children then simply scan this code with their LearnPad to set up the device – network connections can be set up or the Lesson Profile for that particular lesson can be installed.
Lesson Profiles
ClassConnect is the management area for the teacher. It simplifies the process of teachers wanting different sets of apps for different lessons, by using Lesson Profiles, a collection of applications, websites and files that can be sent wirelessly to multiple LearnPads simultaneously.Apply this to a group of LearnPads via the Dashboard, and all of the content is automatically downloaded and installed. You can also retrieve files, pictures and videos directly from the LearnPads.
Profile Customization
Creating custom Categories and Lesson Profiles in ClassConnect is a relatively process. The teacher simply drags & drops the activities they want into each Category to create a lesson. Once these are defined it can be applied to as many devices as required. A teachers can even upload their own files, images and icons to customise LearnPads for their school.
The teacher can then use ClassConnect to send Lesson changes to multiple devices or generate a QrKey and apply this to individual LearnPads using their built in camera.
Teachers can choose from any of the approved Android apps and websites. This is where some teachers might find it limiting, but LearnPad assured me that teachers can contact them to request specific apps that are missing and they’ll do their best to get them copied over from the Play Store.
ClassCloud
ClassCloud is an innovative solution for storing and managing classwork created by students. ClassCloud automatically receives and chronologically archives students work ‘handed in’ from tablets, including documents and photos, all in a secure online folder. Teachers can easily locate student-created work, and can view, edit, save, print or send it back to them, all from a simple web page.
Two gigabytes (2Gb) of ClassCloud storage comes as standard for your school when you purchase LearnPad tablets and use the ClassConnect classroom management tool with more available to buy.
InClass
LearnPad InClass is a unique system that allows children to identify themselves on a shared mobile device by simply typing in their name or using a unique QrCode key. This can be tied to school resources, such as shared folders or workspaces, so they can open, edit and save their existing files and documents.Teachers can identify which student is using a particular device on the ClassConnect dashboard, helping them manage their work, monitor progress and connect to, message and assist students when needed.
InClass allows students and teachers to easily share tablet-based work and assignments. Students can ‘Hand In’ work produced on the LearnPad, including documents, screenshots, photos, videos, audio files and work produced within specific applications. All work is ‘tagged’ with the student’s identity for easy reference and is time and date stamped, so teachers can confirm when work was submitted.Teachers can ‘Hand Out’ files or documents, selectively deploying them directly to students, either as a group or individually. Send a worksheet or assignment to students by simply uploading it to the Connect portal, and then push it out directly to student tablets.
Price-wise the LearnPads are a much more attractive option than an iPad, and the teacher management tools do seem very useful. It’s not a fast as an iPad, but this wasn’t a major issue. I’ve only used one on it’s own, rather than as a teacher with a class so I can’t testify to how well it works as a class system – but you can contact LearnPad for case studies and for a trial of the system if you are interested.
Visit the LearnPad website to learn more. You can also visit the LearnPad YouTube channel to see a couple of helpful videos which demonstrate a lot of the features I’ve mentioned. And do let me know what you think in the comments.
Disclosure: LearnPad sent me one of their tablets to review. I have not been paid for this article.
Nice review – just to say that it is possible for teachers to add any app from Google Play to the LearnPads and LearnPad portal, but the process is more complicated than downloading the ones from the content store.
We purchased 18 devices from them in a bundle because we loved the portal. As with other brands we have, we expected the same quality and did not purchase accidental damage or extended warranty. the device were not put into the classroom before 6 month after purchase ( summer break, training.. etc) a little than a year after purchase, 3 of them have a broken screen even though we purchased the protection case and half of them have lose mini jack that prevent using headset which is a real drag in a classroom. All the company could do for us is to refer us to a repair shop and give us nothing but a sorry to help finance the repairs. And they dare acknowledge that this first generation of their product is not as tough as the new one which they advice we purchase..Stay away from this company. And the tech support is a nightmare, I have been trying to get help for over 4 month on this.
We’ve had LearnPads for 3 years now – 2nd and 3rd generation models. We haven’t experienced any broken screens or problems with the headphone jacks. We DID however have a couple of devices which experienced power & screen problems and both devices were fixed (more than a year after purchase) by LearnPad for free. Our main problems have been with the power cable needles, but LearnPad also send us some complementary replacements for these. Finally, we have had trouble this term with the power unit on one of our TabCabbies, and this was rapidly fixed on site by an engineer again without any cost (and the cabinet was 2 years old). Similar to yourself, we haven’t had any kind of paid for warranty with them.
I haven’t been able to compare the situation with an equivalent set of 48 iPads over the same time period, so I can’t comment really on where we would have been if we’d bought those instead without warranty.
Perhaps we were lucky and you weren’t, but in general I’ve been very pleased with the support of the company.