UPDATE: Doesn’t look like censorship, just a glitch or inadvertent error. Complete details on update at the end of this post!

Rusty Meyners shares the following information via Google+ about LearnPad:

Not familiar with LearnPad? Check out their web site:

LearnPad is an exciting new tablet computer designed specifically for use in schools and the classroom. It supports a wide range of curriculum resources, including tablet “apps”, websites and Flash based eLearning content, as well as videos, music, documents and other digital curriculum content, all from a safe, secure customisable student interface. It also supports access to existing network resources and shares, so you can use the content and files you already have in your school.

+Rusty Meyners  is referring specifically to the LearnPad management system that can be installed on other Android devices.

Then, while researching the issue (since this is about the UK version, not the US one), Rusty points out the following:

Rusty MeynersApr 16, 2013

Be aware that the version at this link is UK-centric and I’m not sure yet if the U.S. vendor offers the 3rd party software or trial. I expect to find out soon because I have our SpEd folks convinced to try them, so I’ll be giving them a call.

Rusty MeynersApr 16, 2013 (edited)

U.S. vendor for LearnPad:
http://www.edresources.com/Index.aspx

Texas Rep:
http://www.procomputing.com/

Google Plus presence (how about an update?)
+LearnPad 

Jeremy MayApr 16, 2013

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Thanks for that info:)  Hopefully they’ll make an impression here! Definitely going to be following this closely:)

H TeagueApr 16, 2013

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I have received training to conduct training on LearnPads. I really like this product and the learning potential they offer. thanks for posting this Rusty!

Rusty Meyners10:57 AM (edited)

Reply

Finally heard from the Texas LearnPad rep but it wasn’t good news. Here is the comment I just posted on the +LearnPad G+ Page:

EDIT: my comment there has subsequently been removed. What’s up with that – or need I ask?
https://plus.google.com/u/0/107384675110857926094/posts/KxX1HdU3hps

Unfortunately when I was contacted yesterday by my nearest LearnPad rep, the information was drastically different – and not for the better. The very appealing exposure to LearnPad that we got at the TCEA (Texas Computer Education Associationhttp://edresources.com/Blog-New-Tablet-Solution-the-Hit-of-TCEA.aspx) conference a short two months ago is seemingly now irrelevant – at least according to the local contact.

I can’t buy the 9.7″ $299 model and am told the new XD $399 version is the only one available (or WILL be available, because it’s still not here). Also, I’m told that we cannot purchase the other products available in the U.K., including the 8″ model and the extremely interesting “OEM/3rd Party” installable LearnPad management system (http://learnpad.co/support/tablet/oem-installation.cfm ).

I hope I’ve been mis-informed because after all the sharing about LearnPad I’ve done in professional educator circles, online and otherwise, this is disappointing indeed.

While I wouldn’t want to jump to conclusions–that LearnPad removed remarks or feedback that shared info about their product that they didn’t want shared–it would be foolish for any education partner who thought they could use censorship to restrict information sharing, especially in a hyper-connected world.

I invite LearnPad to respond publically on their own blog and link back here or leave a comment as a response…and I encourage you to tweet and plus one this blog post so that we can get the word out.

Update – Response:

Rusty Meyners2:48 PM (edited)

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+LearnPad has indicated on their G+ account that my feedback was not removed intentionally. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that frank discussion might still happen. This is what they posted:

LearnPad2:28 PM  –  Public
It appears that a comment from +Rusty Meyners got deleted from one of our previous posts. We have no idea how this happened and we would like to make it clear we would never delete comments negative, positive, or otherwise unless they are horribly offensive (see +YouTube for details) or obvious spam.
Sorry to Mr Meyners! We welcome his input and we are seeking some answers on various points he has raised.

Check out Miguel’s Workshop Materials online at http://mglearns.wikispaces.com

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