Ideas Related to iPad Programs

A January 2012 NBOA (National Business Officers Association) Webinar, “iPad Programs: Expensive Paperweights or Money Saving Game Changer?”, detailed information of use to schools considering digital notebook use by students.  Some of the topics covered included, introducing iPads grade by grade, making sure you have a robust Wi-Fi network, having tech support available, giving adequate time to both staff and student learning related to iPad use, and how iPads are used in one school that has integrated them into Grades 9 and 10. It was interesting that iPad use included much of what is currently being done with laptops and desktops. Computers weren’t needed for teaching, projects, or homework, but a few students brought in their own laptops to use. Presenters covered the myth of the vanishing backpack saying that even though some think that these devices will mean the end of students carrying heavy books, this is not the case at this time. Although novels are available, as are some other books used in coursework, for the most part, etexts or coursework online is not available. The question of whether to go with iPads or Android systems was discussed with the answer favoring iPads because of the numbers already sold, future sales projections, the number of Apps, and the availability of education apps, including 1000+ free education Apps.