Apple vs. PC: Really?

It will not come as a surprise to you that as I meet with school districts around the country, I find every variation of Mac, PC, or some combination of the two. Inevitably, I’m asked, “What do you recommend, Mac or PC?” This is a legitimate question. I fully understand why I’m being asked the question, but let’s elevate the subject:

We’ve all heard that there are “Mac” people and “PC” people. Yes, I’ve lived it. I’m old enough to remember when the debate was legitimate, but if we’re still arguing this matter today, we’re missing the bigger picture. I will not advocate either because the fact is, it doesn’t matter. Let me ask you this; without looking, can you tell me what brand microwave you have at home? Does it really matter? I don’t know what mine is. I have a feeling it’s a Panasonic, but then again, it could be a Sharp. I really don’t know, but here’s what I can tell you. When I want an awesome plate of nachos, it heats the chips and cheese just the way I want! Similarly, do you really think students care what brand of computer they are using? Of course they don’t. Truth be told, they probably aren’t using a computer at all. The only ones who really get hung up on the Mac vs. PC issue are the educators. That’s not a condemnation; it’s just the reality of what we, as those older than the students we serve, have faced. We learned on either Mac or PC’s. We are expected to integrate technology into our curriculum; thus, we fall back on what we know. The students; however, are not connected to brands. They are only interested in access. They don’t care what platform takes them to Facebook. They don’t care what operating system is being used to provide them access to Accelerated Reader. If they can access The Kahn Academy, do they really care if it’s on an Android operating system, an Apple OS, or something else? Of course they don’t. They just want answers. So where are we, the educators, in this issue?

Experience tells me that we’re still struggling with this. Teachers, administrators, and indeed, technology departments are still spending time debating this issue. With all due respect, the debate is over. The answer is simple. You put in place the device that is both appropriate and cost effective based on the curricular goals set forth by the district. Take “you” out of it. Forget what you’re comfortable with. Just ask, “If we’re going to purchase a piece of hardware, what provides the student with the greatest access to information, provides the greatest flexibility, and does so at the lowest cost possible. If an iMac is the answer, so be it. If a Thin Client solution is the answer, so be it. Maybe an iPad or Kindle Fire is the answer. The point is, the discussion has to be focused around what the students need rather than what teachers are comfortable with or what the technology department is comfortable supporting. A district must ask, "What impacts learning most," not, "What impacts my lesson plans the most" or, "How can I support that operating system when I only know this one." The real question is, "What can we give students access to that will improve their learning experience at a price the district can afford?" Mac, PC, Kindle, Android, something to come next month . . . ? With all due respect to those I know personally who work for various hardware vendors, the Mac vs. PC debate is over. There’s a new topic – what is the most affordable way to give students the greatest access to information. If you’re still taking about brand names, respectfully, you’re being left out of the more important conversation.