I-pads for all students?

[pinkytoe]

I read where one of our local public high schools in a wealthy district is going to purchase tablets for all 2700+ students. I don't know if this is in lieu of textbooks or in addition to. Do you think this is a good idea? I don't know but I guess it is a sign of changing times.

[Miss Cellane]

I'd like to know what the plans are for the iPads. I don't think they are good replacements for a laptop, because they are not easy to type on for any length of time; you need an external keyboard, really, if you are going to be typing papers and such.

So my big question is Why? If there's a reasonable explanation for the perceived need for the iPad, and the school can afford it, why not? If they are going to use the iPads in lieu of textbooks, I'd be concerned that not all textbooks are currently available in E-reader format, and I wouldn't want the kids subjected to sub-standard texts just because they were all that was available for the iPad.

On the other hand, I'm just seeing huge problems with lost, stolen or damaged iPads and I wouldn't want to be the person at the school having to deal with that.

[Jilly]

I was thinking about the loss problem as well. I started a book club at a homeless shelter this year and when it came to choosing books, there was a request from one of the participants that I provide Kindles or Nooks to everyone. Everyone thought that was a great idea, and it kind of is, but this is the shelter where I lived earlier this year and I was only one of several people who were robbed during the time I was there. So, no e-readers, even though it would have made reading easier for a person or two.

[fidgiegirl]

The power of iPads in the classroom is amazing if done correctly. It is not about iPad as a brand, it is about suddenly all the students having the same tools, and powerful ones.

School is not all about textbooks anymore, or shouldn't be. School needs to be about how to research, how to discern if information is valuable in an age of overwhelming access, it needs to be about formulating and testing hypotheses. iPad can help facilitate all of this.

And for where a textbook is needed or utilized, eTextbooks have a lot of superior features to paper texts - on demand definitions, easy reference back to notes and highlights, ability to embed illustrations, videos and instant, self-correcting comprehension checks right into the text.

And in the hands of a skilled teacher, iPads (any 1:1 device, really) can be a differentiation and creation powerhouse. Imagine not only your typical lab report but one enhanced by photographs, film and narration to really demonstrate understanding. Imagine when a kid comes up to you with a topic they are interested in and want to know more about, and there is only one book in the school library on that topic, being able to point them back to their iPad to do more research and get deeper into it. There are a million more possibilities I could list. You don't get that with a handful of (usually ancient) computers sitting in the corner of your classroom or from a computer lab way down the hall in the media center (and where I worked, kids weren't allowed to go there unaccompanied, so you know what? They didn't get to go unless EVERYONE went.)

As far as loss and damage, I am deep into this type of topic in my work and in anecdotal research, kids overwhelmingly treat the devices well. They engage with them and value them. In our own district, the bulk of damage to iPads has been from staff, truthfully! Now in our district kids do not take them home, but I wish they could in some cases. That's where the power lies - 24/7 access.

Lots of reasons why not, but lots of reasons why TO. I envision that within 10 years, perhaps 5, electronic access of this kind will be the standard and paper textbooks will be out the door.

I hope that your district has a comprehensive staff development plan because iPads - really, any 1:1 device, as I said above - CAN be a game changer if they are not shoved into a space shaped like the status quo. I hope they also have a replacement plan because in one district I know of the kids had 1:1 laptops for several years and the teaching was amazing, creative, perfectly suited for junior high age, and then the money ran out, and it was back to the same ol', same ol'. We took a tour and you could just hear the disappointment in the tech integrationist's voice. He knew it was a huge step backwards. iPads will only last about 3 years - of course, by then, the next thing could be invented. The 1st generation of iPad is basically a paperweight or will be soon. It can no longer be upgraded and many apps won't run unless on the most current operating system. And they are only 3 years old.

Chromebooks are also an increasingly popular option in K-12 education, as is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) (much like college). Each device/approach has limitations and advantages, but many are finding the portability and lower cost than desktops or laptops very appealing.

I'm sure people have a lot more to say on this topic that is not as optimistic as what I think.

[decemberlov]

Our district does not have ipads but they have laptops for all students. I think it's wonderful! There is just so much more information available to them, rather than just having a text book available. They have a deal setup with Dell and we pay $60.00 a year for insurance to cover any damages that may happen (well worth it in my opinion). They get to bring them home and I know personally that my daughter is very responsible with hers. The first few months was a learning experience..they have to have them charged every night to make sure they are ready for the next day.

The school is also setup on a system when I can log in whenever I want and check my daughters grades, she can do so as well and all homework assignments are posted to the individual teachers wiki page so that if she is absent she can log on and get her assignments. So helpful!!

[Gregg]

I believe students should be given every opportunity possible to engage the real world and since tablets are here to stay it seems like a good idea. I do wonder what percentage of teachers have the training and the aptitude to take full advantage of the technology, but realize that number may be increasing as people my age start to phase out. There is still a part of me that wants to have kids earn the privilege of using the tablets by doing a little volunteer work or putting a few hours in weeding the school garden or anything doing anything that benefits their community somehow. There are lots of ways to use new technology as a motivational tool.

[pinkytoe]

Good insights, fidgie. It makes sense but it kind of bothers me that this type of tool goes primarily to kids from upper income schools.

[Tammy]

Agree with fidgie. And from a healthcare viewpoint, think of a backpack full of textbooks on a small child's back .... As compared with carrying one little device.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Geez, the schools I went to sometimes couldn't afford textbooks and they probably still can't. Imagining most parents able to pay a $60 a year insurance fee is just beyond silly, many of the kids have to rely on free lunches. Just very out of touch, let them eat ipads.

[ToomuchStuff]

No different then other tools, as it will have pro's and con's. If you don't think books have con's, look at the fights over school reading lists and banned books.
It would be good in the aspect of lighter backpacks, etc and in the area's that can afford them (I have a relative that wants to move into a district that does this with laptops, but can't afford it. If they get the chance, they will try anyway), they will be using backpacks, or carriers designed to help protect them.
I do wonder more about the securing and filtering aspects though, as you can't control others networks, and security on some devices, isn't easily settable and can be bypassed by many means.

[Kathy WI]

My son's public middle school has iPads for all the students. There are all kinds of filters on them so they can't get porn, and can't download any extra apps or games. The kids do get away with playing online games or going on FB though. My son hasn't broken or damaged his yet, and he's had it for a year and a half and is allowed to take it home. We take it away at 8:00 p.m., except once in while when we forget, then find out he's been watching videos all night. His school was the first in the district to try the iPads as an experiment, and this year all the middle schools got them, so I guess it did save money on textbooks. We pay a $50 usage fee per year. I think people who qualify for free lunch can get a reduced rate on that, the same as other school fees.

[Alan]

I'm sure Apple is providing the iPads at a substantial discount. I remember Apple's early days when their entire marketing strategy was to get their products into the classroom in order to capture young users. It didn't pay off for them as they had hoped since the IBM clone computers went after the home market rather than the educational market and the IBM clones soared while Mac serviced a predominately enthusiast market.

Now, the home market is saturated with PC's and it's time for the next great thing. Maybe it will pay off for Apple this time.

[fidgiegirl]

I'm sure Apple is providing the iPads at a substantial discount.

As far as I know, they offer no discount at all on iPads. And this is a difference from their laptop/desktop machines that do have an education discount. Our district isn't one of the reeeeeaallllllly big purchasers, so maybe this is different for districts that buy in the 1000s of devices.

[decemberlov]

Geez, the schools I went to sometimes couldn't afford textbooks and they probably still can't. Imagining most parents able to pay a $60 a year insurance fee is just beyond silly, many of the kids have to rely on free lunches. Just very out of touch, let them eat ipads.

They do offer a payment plan say $10.00 a month till paid off or also waive the fee if you really are unable to pay. I don't think $60.00 a year is very much thought when you are looking at all the benefits.