We rolled out the iPads for the sixth graders today and much of the conversation centered around what they were and were not allowed to download. Our district organizes acceptable programs into an "App Catalog" and students are only supposed to download from there; in fact they and their parents sign an agreement to that effect. The problem is that they must have access to the Apple App Store as well, so that Apple can push down or otherwise make updates available, so for a few hours every day a siren song lures them into forbidden waters.
Oh I heard an earful today on the subject. "You know the seventh graders all have games on their devices!" was a common complaint.
"They are taking a risk and breaking the rules," I answered. "If they get caught, there will be consequences."
"One of the other sixth grade teams told everybody they could download one app, just one, but any one they wanted!" was another widely reported rumor.
"I doubt it," I said. "We teachers are not even allowed to give you permission to get apps from the app store. Do you know why? Because they ARE NOT our iPads! And they aren't yours either! Who owns those?"
"The schools," they chorused miserably.
"That's right!" I answered brightly, "and whatever they want you to have is in the app catalog!"
At that, one student indignantly raised his hand like a prim little flag. "Well then why did they have us get Apple IDs if we're not allowed to use them for games?"
"Why don't you give me that iPad back," I suggested, "and then we can see what you need it for when you don't have it?"
He drooped to half mast. "That's okay," he mumbled.
Oh I heard an earful today on the subject. "You know the seventh graders all have games on their devices!" was a common complaint.
"They are taking a risk and breaking the rules," I answered. "If they get caught, there will be consequences."
"One of the other sixth grade teams told everybody they could download one app, just one, but any one they wanted!" was another widely reported rumor.
"I doubt it," I said. "We teachers are not even allowed to give you permission to get apps from the app store. Do you know why? Because they ARE NOT our iPads! And they aren't yours either! Who owns those?"
"The schools," they chorused miserably.
"That's right!" I answered brightly, "and whatever they want you to have is in the app catalog!"
At that, one student indignantly raised his hand like a prim little flag. "Well then why did they have us get Apple IDs if we're not allowed to use them for games?"
"Why don't you give me that iPad back," I suggested, "and then we can see what you need it for when you don't have it?"
He drooped to half mast. "That's okay," he mumbled.
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