Apple Scores $30M iPad Deal With L.A. Schools

Apple announced Wednesday that it has landed a major deal to sell iPad tablets to the second-largest public school district in the United States.

The Los Angeles School Board of Education has approved a $30 million deal to roll out iPads to students in its district beginning this fall. Each iPad tablet will include the "Pearson Common Core System of Courses delivered via a new app," Apple said in a statement. The iPads will also be equipped with iWork, iLife, iTunes and some educational third-party apps.

The school district is paying $678 for each iPad, since it includes the pre-loaded educational software, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The battle for market share in the education space is competitive. A Microsoft spokesperson commented generally on tablets in schools, in a statement to Mashable on Wednesday: "Why would a school choose a device that prepares students to play games and watch videos? Why wouldn't a school pick a device that prepares them for the workforce?"

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) said it chose the iPad for quality ratings, high scores from its student and teacher review panel, and for being its least expensive option.

"The vote is another step forward in the District's plan to equip every one of its students with a device by 2014," Jaime Aquino, district deputy superintendent of instruction, said. "When completed, the LAUSD will become the largest district in the nation to provide each of its students with the technology."

The district's purchase will join the "nearly 10 million iPads already in schools today," according to Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing.

But Apple isn't the only tech giant getting a slice of the education market pie. In the past few months, Dell has scored deals with at least six school districts across the country to distribute its Windows 8-powered Latitude 10 tablets. Also, Southern Illinois University will be giving all incoming freshman a Latitude 10 tablet.

Earlier this year, Amplify — the education division of News Corp. focused on creating digital products for classrooms — showed off its 10-inch Android tablet targeted toward teachers and students.

Samsung is developing its own solution for the classroom that combines tablets, e-boards and other technology, a company spokesperson told Mashable. The Samsung School solution, which incorporates Android-based Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablets, has been piloted with students in Tennessee's Memphis City Schools.

What do you think about tablets in schools? Is it an effective educational tool or an unwanted distraction? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Thumbnail and lead image courtesy of Flickr, Brad Flickinger/flickingerbrad.

1. LeapPad2

   This is version two of this popular kid-friendly tablet and I loved the original. To me, it did almost everything an adult tablet could do. The new version has higher resolution, and front-and-back cameras. The new processor makes it faster than the previous version.
   We like that it's also compatible with all cartridge applications and games that were initially purchased for the older version. You can buy additional game cartridges or download apps from the LeapFrog store.
   It has a 5-inch touch screen but comes with an attached styles. It comes with 4GB of onboard memory and a library of hundreds of educational games, apps, eBooks and videos.

   Ages: 3-9
   $99

   

2. VTech InnoTab 2S

   The VTech InnoTab 2 Learning App Tablet is also a second gen tablet from VTech. I prefer this one to the first, since it has a camera and 2GB built-in storage in addition to the expandable memory. It also has a stand to hold the tablet for no-hands viewing. The 2S has built-in Wi-Fi so you can connect to VTech's site to download games, music and videos.
   Ages: 3-9
   $99.99

   

3. Kurio 7

   The Kurio 7 from Techno Source is a 7" multi-touchscreen tablet that looks much more tablet-like than the others. It's running on the Android operating system so its a tablet you can use when the kids are willing to give it up. It also has built-in Wi-Fi.

   Parents have complete control over everything from internet access and time control to app management and comprehensive web filtering, and can create up to 8 different user profiles each with separate customizable settings.

   Ages: 3 and up
   $149.99

   

4. Vinci

   This too is a 2nd gen tablet, and I was not a fan of the original. It was too large and too tablet like, again based on an Android operating system. At $450, it also neared the price of a regular tablet.
   This tablet is much smaller, 5" and has a great, crisp-looking touch screen. It's got a much more grown-up look and feel than the others. Vinci has its own library of educational apps, with developmentally-designed digital curriculum specifically created for children.

   Ages 3-9
   $169

   

5. Nabi 2

   The Nabi 2 is a powerful tablet, basically a Google Nexus 7, dressed up in kids clothes. It's got an orange rubbery case around it for good grip, parental controls, and comes pre-loaded with games and educational apps. It also has a Nexus 7 price tag.

   Ages: 3 and up
   $199.

   

6. Tabeo

   Tabeo is a kids tablet developed and designed by Toys"R"Us. It's a 7-inch, multi-touch tablet comes with 50 free, pre-installed apps and parental controls. Of course there are Tabeo-branded accessories to complement the device – from noise-cancelling headphones and colorful earbuds, to stylish folio cases.

   Ages 3+
   $149

   

7. Oregon Scientific MEEP

   The Oregon Scientific MEEP tablet has a 7" screen and a nice rubberized grip for kids, and also comes with lots of add-on accessories.

   Ages: 6 and up
   $149