iPad or Windows Laptop: Which one should I buy for my child?
Does my child need a laptop or iPad?
Reading and writing can be a serious challenge for many children with learning difficulties. But technology can greatly facilitate them to not only cope with these challenges but also successfully overcome them. However, do you need a laptop or a tablet? With a range of options and functionality offered by both these devices, it can often be confusing to know which is more appropriate for your child.
Things to remember when selecting a device
Does the device meet your child's current and future needs (think 2–3 years from now)?
Is the technology easy to use or will your child need training on using the device?
Is the size and weight of the device manageable for your child?
Will the child have support at school to use the device?
The key is to focus on the needs of the child at the start, and then see what technology options are available to support them and how this might work in a school setting.
I've pulled together two of the most typical case studies we see for primary and secondary school. Please bear in mind that these are only examples and every child is unique, so consider this only a guide.
Case Study: Technology options for Primary School students
Sinead is a 10-year-old and in 4th class. She has dyslexia and dysgraphia, where her reading and spelling are both below the 10th percentile. She finds reading very hard and struggles to stay up with her peers. Her handwriting is also disorganised and not very clear. She’s at the stage where it’s affecting her confidence and she’s feeling different than her peers.
The best choice for Sinead is an Apple iPad:
I would opt for an iPad to support Sinead's learning, get a good Bluetooth keyboard, and make use of the iPad’s built-in accessibility features, plus some key educational apps.
She would most likely not qualify for the AT Grant (as test scores are not within the criteria), however, she has a recommendation for using technology in the classroom. Therefore, the school or the parents can supply the technology to be used to support her in that environment.
The key thing for Sinead is to keep her interested and engaged in learning, which means not overly pushing her to achieve, but allowing her to enjoy it and feel that she can do as well as her peers. Baby steps are best here, so start with working on touch typing and using the built-in accessibility features, such as speak selection and then maybe a few apps like Voice Dream Reader to start.
Case Study: Technology options for Secondary School students
Liam is a 14-year-old and is in 2nd year. He is diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and dyslexia. Based on his class participation, he seems to understand all of the material. Liam speaks clearly and uses an acceptable range of vocabulary in his oral work.
However, Liam's written work is very poor and hard to read when compared to his peers, even when he has been given extra time in class exams. He often skips from topic to topic within a single paragraph, and his points do not all relate back to the topic at hand. He often will run out of time without making much progress during in-class activities.
The best choice for Liam is a Windows laptop:
I would opt for a Windows laptop on a day-to-day basis to help Liam take notes in class, for some study, and for certain elements of homework.
We would look to use a laptop to support Liam's learning and to prepare him for state exams. He is more than likely to receive reasonable accommodations (use of word processor/laptop) in exams, based mainly on his test scores meeting the criteria. Therefore, touch typing is a vital skill for Liam to master right now.
But which specific model of Windows laptop or iPad should I buy?
This is our most frequently asked question! Good news; we have answers for you.
That’s a wrap!
We hope you found this article useful. Check out our online course for parents, Getting Started with Technology. Inside the course, we teach you about all of the features and apps that can help make reading, writing, maths, and organisation skills easier for your child.