Case Study 1:1 iPad vs.

Chrome Book

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

EDUC 515
Benjamin Sisson
Azusa Pacific University

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

Abstract
This case study will focus on the comparison of the iPad and the
Chromebook in 1:1 technology programs. I will discuss the price points
of each device, as well as what each device has to offer. I will also
discuss the educational application of the technology and give an
analysis of my findings.

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

Introduction
In todays world, technology is coming at us so fast that most
people can hardly keep up. It seems like there are new updates for
apps and operating systems popping up every week. With new, better
devices coming out every year, individuals hardly get a chance to
master what they have before its time to upgrade. Children today are
the most affected by this wave after wave of technology, and
educators are starting to notice. For several years, more and more
schools have been pushing to integrate more technology into their
curriculum and the daily life of their students, and with devices like the
Apple iPad and the Google Chromebook educators now have the tools
and opportunity to effectively do just that. 1:1 devices are becoming
more and more popular in schools across the country. Many districts
continue to be skeptical, and the costs along with the way the devices
are perceived are hindrances to schools in adapting such 1:1 programs.
When a district is ready to take the leap, there is a lot to consider when
deciding what device the district should use. Today, the two that stand
out the most are the iPad and the Chromebook, and the Chromebook is
leading by far as districts choice for 1:1 programs. Taking a closer look
will help explain this choice.
The Cost

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

I found it very difficult to effectively judge the cost of 1:1
programs, because of individual district and school budgets and the
different variables such as ongoing training for teachers, replacement
costs, storage choices, capabilities of the device, etc. Each districts
cost would vary; depending on their current infrastructure and how
many students they have, as well as what device they choose. (True
cost of iPad program. n.d.), (Tools for teaching, tools for learning: A 1:1
pilot. n.d.) Regardless of which direction a district decides to go (iPad
or Chromebook), the most important first step for any district is to
upgrade its infrastructure so that the Wi-Fi in every school can handle
the amount of wireless traffic generated daily by the numerous devices
on campus. The cost to ensure a district has adequate infrastructure
will vary from district to district, but it could cost anywhere from
$13,000 to upwards of $20,000.
Ultimately, a strong factor for most districts comes down to the
cost of the device. As a district investigates possibilities for a 1:1
program, the Chromebook will come up as the better deal when
considering cost, at least for now. The cost of the iPad for a school with
a student population of 3,350 would be minimum around $1,809,000.
Where as in a similar situation, the Chromebook would cost the district
between $770,500 to $1,440,500; depending on what company they
buy from. According to Robert Long (R. Long, personal communication,
October 19, 2016), a teacher in the Paris Unified School District, CA,

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

Dell makes a better Chromebook product then other manufacturers
such as Samsung and is more reliable, but costs more. The cost factor
for now is set, and Chromebook wins. There are other deciding factors
that districts consider before making their choice.
iPad vs. Chromebook
(Tools for teaching, tools for learning: A 1:1 pilot. n.d.) The
Chromebook was designed with education in mind, so the device has
more robust management tools and architecture in place that services
education and appeals to the needs of districts. The iPad requires a
little more work to set up a similar system. Since apple products are
not very compatible with Google apps, the user has to search and
piece together a network of apps that services education in a similar
way, which can be time consuming and managing these apps can be
cumbersome. These issues were an additional deciding point for many
districts to choose the Chromebook over the iPad. (Tools for teaching,
tools for learning: A 1:1 pilot. n.d.) One positive aspect of the iPad is
iWork suite, which has the ability to create, edit, and publish from one
device with its camera, microphone, and creative apps. This makes the
iPad rather versatile in a different way, but its lack of ability to
effectively connect to non-Apple apps and programs is a serious
hindrance for educators to buy into the iPad overall.
Another point to consider is that the Chromebook is not tied to
any OS, but is almost entirely a web based technology. This has its

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

strengths and weaknesses, such as not requiring as much hardware on
the device, making it more cost effective, as well as the need for
students to put all their work in the cloud, which makes it readily
available wherever they are. However, this is an issue when Internet
speed is too slow to support the web based apps of the Chromebook,
or access to the Internet is not an option. Conversely, the iPad is tied to
an OS, and its apps must run on that OS, limiting iPad versatility and
compatibility to Apple products for the most part. However, the iPad is
not completely reliant on access to the Internet and can function on its
own.
Two very practical issues that districts consider with both devices
is their durability and their accessories. The Chromebook is easy to
type on, manage content, durable, and does not require a case, but it
does require headphone accessories. The Chromebook would require a
district to buy a camera and microphones to produce multimedia, but
the iPad has those capabilities included plus additional to enhance
production. Unfortunately, the iPad is not as durable as the
Chromebook, and it requires a case. iPads are not easy to type on, and
the on-screen keyboard can make it difficult to manage content on the
already small screen. So, buying a separate keyboard would likely be
necessary, as well as headphones. So, there are tradeoffs when
considering either device, and since media is not as much of a concern
for districts, the Chromebook is a better fit.

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

Educational Application
All of the information so far has been mostly about selling points,
investigating why a district should go with one device over the other.
(Tools for teaching, tools for learning: A 1:1 pilot. n.d.) However,
educational application is an essential evaluation when a district
makes the decision for a device. Whether or not teachers use an iPad
or Chromebook, the potential is relatively the same. A 1:1 program
using either device would potentially make it easier for differentiated
instruction, generating motivation and ownership of learning, providing
opportunities for group work and project-based learning, and give
access to ongoing formative assessment. Work flow of students has
shown to increase with 1:1 technology as students have more access
to learning resources throughout the whole day, as opposed to just in
the classroom. (Ullman, E. 2014, February 12) (R. Long, personal
communication, October 19, 2016) However, the largest factor in the
educational application of 1:1 technology is training. Both teachers and
students need to be trained in how to use this technology for
educational purposes and applications. A school with all the right
technology, and teachers with no knowledge of how to apply it to
education will waste the potential of that technology. (Sisson, 2016, p.
[Page #]) In a survey I conducted, teachers were asked how often they
used their devices for instruction or content delivery; only 12% said
they use it everyday. Another 48% use it most days, maybe three to

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

four days out of the week. The other 40% of teachers used their
devices only once or twice a week for instruction or content delivery.
These devices are being used for assessment even less. Only 16% of
the teachers at this school used the iPad for assessment three to four
days a week while 32% use it once or twice a week. This leaves the
other 52% of teachers using these devices for assessment very
inconsistently, or not at all. There was a negligible response and a lack
of knowledge from teachers when asked if they utilized student devices
for brain based learning.
Analysis and summary of this case study
Looking at all of this information, I think that the biggest factor
into why Chromebooks are so much more popular is their price point.
Districts are able to buy more Chromebooks faster, allowing them to
achieve their 1:1 technology goals quicker and at a reduced impact to
their budget. Most of the problems that arise from 1:1 technology
programs seem to fall into one of two categories. Either a problem with
the districts infrastructure that limits the functionality of the devices in
the classroom or a lack of training to know how to use the technology
for education limits the potential use. As far as the devices themselves,
it is understandable why most districts tend to go with the
Chromebook, but both the iPad and the Chromebook have a lot of
untapped potential for educational application and brain-based
learning. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, which puts

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

them at more of an even playing field than is generally discussed. One
thought I had was whether or not the iPad was best for students, or
just for teachers. In the Paris School District many teachers have and
use iPads and apple products, while the students use Chromebooks
and Google products.
More research is needed and should include a more in depth
study on how these devices are being used in the classroom daily and
a detailed analysis of each devices strengths and weaknesses as they
relate to educational application, without considering cost. An
objective study on which device truly offers the most for at the
educational setting when their potential is fully tapped and teachers
and students are thoroughly trained is needed, and could bring new
and exciting possibilities into the educational world.

Case Study 1:1 iPad vs. Chrome Book

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