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The rocky launch of an iPad initiative in a California school district has led some to question whether the benefits of the devices are worth the cost. At issue is the decision to pay $4.3 million for 6,300 iPads for seventh-grade students, plus the cost of iPad covers and related software. While teachers and other supporters say they are enthusiastic about the potential benefits of iPads in the classroom, the district is not tracking whether students' grades have risen since the technology was introduced.

Some Los Angeles schoolteachers who use iPads in classroom lessons say it's necessary for teachers to give up some control to make the technology initiative successful. The teachers say they suggested students read but placed no limits on what students read, and asked them to use applications but did not say which ones. The teachers also found that the iPad enhances classroom lessons, but it is not a replacement for good teaching.

Enterprises deploy technology slowly because they tend to plan methodically and for the long term. In most situations, the IT departments and managers are the ones calling the shots. They think they know what's best when it comes to incorporating tech and they want control over how that tech works. But the iPad is different for some reason. Many organizations are seeing employees rebel and bring iPads into the fold without IT approval. It's often a situation of "it's easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission."

Three school districts in Illinois, Iowa and South Carolina will distribute approximately 27,000 Google Chromebook laptops to students as part of new technology initiatives, the company announced Thursday. While some have criticized the browser-based devices for slow performance, others say quick startup times and long battery life make them a good fit for schools and students

""We're doing a lot of formative assessments on them," Morelock says. Using apps such as iResponse and resources like Google Documents, teachers are able to receive feedback from students and record their own observations about students' progress, he says. Teachers have full autonomy in deciding which apps they use and how they use the mobile devices in the classroom, says Morelock. That leeway cuts down on the management load for the district's technology team. "The teachers are updating them, syncing them, and they're finding a thousand different ways to use them," he says of the devices. "It's been really incredible, and it really has to do with the ease of using the device, and the teachers really taking the lead." "

If you aren't aware of the S.A.M.R. model (devised by Ruben R. Puentedura - @rubenrp) then in simple form it explains the common journey teachers go through when introducing technology. It's popular for introducing iPads in schools.

"This update highlights what distinguishes Tablets from other technologies that have previously been introduced in schools, such as computers, laptops and netbooks. It describes the factors in particular that make tablets unique; their mobility, increased affordability and functionality."

iPads in action

As educators continue to move beyond the bells and whistles ofinto a more transformative change, iPads can serve as a common denominator toward making this change happen within your school. Students and teachers are embracing the idea that learning happens not just in class but at anytime and anywhere. iPads have the ability to provide a classroom without walls to our student population. Are iPads the device we have all been waiting for to help us through these transformative changes that are happening in education? ***Includes Learning With iPads iBook***

Good tips for teachers who have students bring in their own phones and tablets with 3G functions anyways.

When you give students the chance to be great, they will be.

"Developing and maintaining a productive workflow while using iPad is not an easy thing to do. It does not only take knowing and installing all the necessary apps, students need to build a momentum , working on their apps and using them judiciously. Building such a momentum is a process of habituation that calls for repeated actions. It does take some time for students to get used to develop these skills but once they do their use of iPad becomes fluently productive."

1- My students should be able to create presentations . Here are the apps to help you achieve this goal :" 2- My students should be able to create digital stories. 3- My students should be able to create eBooks . 4- My students should be able to print their docs right from their iPad. 5- My students should be able to create videos . 6- I want to Improve my students reading skills. 7- My students should be able to take notes on their iPad . 8- My students should be able to create written content on their iPads . 9- My students should be able to use White Boards from their iPads. 10-My students should be able to record audio clips 11- My students should be able to screen share 12-My students should be able to do their homework with the help of iPad . 13- My students should be able to create mind maps 14-My students should be able to do research using iPad 15-My students should be able to create digital portfolios .

Disable in-app purchases easily

"In principle, that avalanche of pixels (and their increased color saturation) means that photos, videos, maps and text should look jaw-droppingly good - and, in apps that have been rewritten for the new screen, they do. Apple's own apps, like Photos, Maps and iBooks, are just incredibly sharp and clear. "