The Problem with Google’s Android in Education
Monday, September 6, 2010 at 8:35PM ----There are no name brand Android devices that can only be used with a Wi-Fi connection. *
----While the app market is getting stronger, education apps are far behind when compared to Apple. *
*there are exceptions
There are many types of technology devices that our used within our schools. There are three main ways that teachers and students connect to the internet.
- Ethernet
- Wi-Fi
- Mobile Network
Ethernet and Wi-Fi are the two most common ways to connect to the internet, but when it comes to mobile devices Wi-Fi is the number one choice for schools. I do use my Android phone in the classroom for many reasons and these are listed in my other posts, but I am not very comfortable handing MY phone over to a 6th grader. (Don’t get me wrong, I have some very trustworthy students…it just isn’t the best solution)
There are some districts that have allowed phones into the classroom, but they are much smaller in numbers when compared to Wi-Fi. School districts are hurting so bad financially that I do not see a big jump to phones in the classroom. Monthly fees and massive budget cuts do not help. Why can’t the kids just bring their own phones to school? Most districts, that I know, want to have control of the devices. (What they do and where they go) There are also many safety concerns with a gadget that has freewill. So what is the problem? Google and the electronics manufacturers do not have a name brand Wi-Fi only device at this point in time. (September 6, 2010)
I am looking for this device.
So………Apple has the iPod Touch and the iPad. Google has the Archos. Of course all of us know Archos??? You can find an Archos device at Best Buy, Radio Shack, and online at Newegg, but I am not comfortable with buying an off-brand device. Dell has the “Streak,” but I can’t find one that is Wi-Fi only. I have seen some people buy an Android phone on eBay. They don’t activate the phone and they just use the Wi-Fi. All of this seems too complicated for the education world to commit to. The future looks bright for Google if they can produce a nice tablet that fits the needs of most schools.
Can you see it? A tablet that works seamlessly with Google docs, plays flash video, and has all the educations apps just like Appl…….cough…cough. Wait a minute.
Google has a lot of apps. Don’t they have wonderful education apps like Apple? The short and simple answer is NO. Android’s marketplace doesn’t have a category dedicated to education like Apple does. There are app review sites for Android, which help in finding some good apps. (There are some reviews on IEAR too and I hope this will grow soon) The biggest problem for Android education apps is that there is no device that is well suited for the classroom. Apple has devices in the classroom and developers create for that market. Small numbers of Android devices in the classroom equals small number of apps in the Android marketplace. It seems like elementary math to me and as many number crunchers Google has, you would think someone at Google could calculate this. I am just a lowly 6th grade teacher and I was able to make this calculation!
To answer a Scott Meech question from the IEAR Podcast #3. Is there a return policy on Android Apps? Here it is from Google-
Refund policy
You have 24 hours from the time of purchase (not download) to return an application purchased through Android Market for a full refund. You may only return a given application once; if you subsequently purchase the same app again, you may not return it a second time.
As always…if you have any questions you can contact me.
Zack Gilbert
also posted at- www.normaledtech.com
Android, Google, Google Education Apps, apps | in IEAR Site Related 
Reader Comments (5)
Check out: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/02/samsung-galaxy-tab-preview/ and
http://www.engadget.com/tag/android,tablet
I agree with you at the moment that Android cannot compete with the Educational apps that Apple has, but give it time. I know many developers that are creating high quality ed-focused apps. In my opinion, the iPad is overpriced for most schools--and could actually increase the digital divide instead of making devices more accessible to our kids
Let's talk more about this at WEMTA in March.
I agree that apple has an extensive education app range , but look at (A) the growth in android apps. (B) Google releasing App Inventor (targeting teacher sign up). If App Inventor creates an exponential growth in educational apps - written by teachers and students, then things could be interesting. Wait till after Christmas 2010 when things have settled down and a stack of new android tablets have been tested and the number of android apps is even higher.
As a grandmother, beginning Christmas shopping, I would like to buy 4 7" Android Tablets, so why don't I? I'm not satisfied that the educational apps for Kindergarten to 2nd grade are available. So instead of individual tablets, I may be purchasing an iPod Touch that will be shared! These tablets could be a great tool, but we need more than mindless games -- give us games that are fun AND teach reading and math!
Hey,
I'm an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at SUNY Fredonia. At the end of the summer, a former student and I started a project called "Android for Academics".
Basically, we develop and support smartphone applications for educators on the Android platform.
You can find out more about us here - www.androidforacademics.com
I am an 8th grade science and language arts teacher. My tech coordinator just got an "epad" from (China?) that is an android tablet. He said he could get them for $150 with covers and keyboard ($135 without). I can get/post more information if there is interest. TStill, the major issue I see is the lack of educational apps.