Google today announced Google Play Store for Education. The service allows teachers to purchase Android apps, video, and books from a curated store and push them to specific Android devices. Payment is charged to a central account controlled by the school.
The specifics aren’t yet clear, but this type of system is clearly a step above Apple’s iPad cumbersome app distribution system. The assumption is that Play for Education will tie into Google Apps for Education.
The Play Education Store will be organised by grade and subject. The additional organisation is a much needed boost to Android’s Play Store as one of the main complaints from teachers is that it’s difficult to discover useful educational applications.
Roll our of the new Play Store is expected in the Autumn.
This is interesting and inevitable as Android tablets are overtaking iPad sales. But which is the preferred device in schools?
Does teacher and student of experience of consumer electronics differ? I’m also really interested as to whether variables like catchment area and local economics should affect the devices we use in schools.