While Apple’s iPad continues to dominate the educational tablet landscape, Google has renewed its push to grab a bigger piece of the market. Their new platform is called Google Play for Education. Holly Korbey, of MindShift, summarizes some of the features:
Apps will be arranged by both grade level and content subject, and educators will be able to read reviews from other teachers. And instead of worrying about multiple iTunes accounts and credit cards, teachers using Google can draw from a pre-loaded account to purchase apps, then push out apps, YouTube videos, or e-books to students through Google Groups. The content will appear on students’ tablets in seconds.
Here is an introductory video featured on Google Play for Education’s website:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=haEmsMo0f3w]
It is hard to get a feel for how Google’s new platform might benefit young children. It may be some time before that can be easily determined.