Choosing a Device:
Although I manage over 600 iPods and love everyone of them, the iPad has changed the playing field. What you save in money per device you will lose in valuable digital curriculum now being made for the iPad. More and more apps are taking full advantage of the larger screen to provide a more dynamic learning experience.
Size: If the goal in a district is to convert their curriculum digitally they will want atleast 32 gig iPads.
Class Sets vs 1 to 1 Devices
Class sets: If you only have class sets, management can be much easier. The devices rarely leave the school, making them easier to gather and regularly update. Fewer Mothership stations are needs.
1 to 1 devices for students: The main influence in a 1 to 1 environment largely depends on who will ultimately manage the devices. 1 to 1 devices become more personal for students and there is less control. You will also likely Never restore a student's device during the school year unless they are having issues.
When the Device Comes:
Devices MUST be synced to the same Mothership that spawned it or an exact clone of the Mothership's Mac User Account on another machine. At this time the Folder structure for a Master and Clone are stored on the Mothership and if synced to another Mothership, even if Authorized. The result of syncing Apps on another machine are blown out folders, where apps are listed individually.