School requires Ipad for students

[DRFP]

Reported Today:

Beginning next year, Webb School students in grades 4 thru 12, are required to have an iPad for classes. This private school located in Knoxville, Tennessee, wants its students to take full advantage of technology as it provides instant access to information.

As it currently stands, “students have to check out a cart, a laptop cart, or schedule lab time to take a class to a lab to access,” said Jim Manikas, the school’s technology director. By having an iPad easily accessible to each student they will “be able to use that technology whenever they need it.”

For students who currently don’t own an iPad, the school will offer a three-year lease. The cost is $200 a year, divided into a 10-month school year, making the monthly cost around $20 per month.

The school plans on blocking social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter on campus.

LINK to Story


So now a new expense for parents, how long before this comes to the public schools? WOW

[Cer0]

It is a private school. The parents got a little money to spare in most private school cases.

Tech will move it's way into schools and it is for the better. Smartboards are very useful for teachers and students.

[i.Annie]

Kinda like the university that required an iPod Touch. Interesting. Not surprised that it's a private school though

[Jcbzr]

Smart... and expensive! Colleges and universities should implement this so that students aren't forced to carry textbooks and only carry the iPad. Rather than paying for a textbook you would pay for the copyright; easy access to texts! In fact, Dawson College (Montreal) has its own free App. in the App. Store so that students can check what classes are canceled and other personal academic files. I can't wait until all schools run like this!

[XxAlecxX]

They shouldn't have this because they are getting families to buy iPad's when the school will basically take over the iPad's with all the software like school computers. Get real. This idea may seem cool but in the end it's getting a bunch of nasty tracking software from your school.

[Cer0]

Again right now this is for a private school that costs around 14k a year to go to. No big deal for the people that go there to buy a 500$ device. Eventually tech is going to make it into the schools no matter what. It always does. But right now I highly doubt any public school is even glancing at making this a requirement.

[Stray]

My school was thinking about allowing students to use the iPad in school as a textbook.

[Jcbzr]

Students should be allowed to do what ever they wish with their gadgets. I'm guessing most schools would frown on this only because it would be "disrespectful" to be "ignoring" what the teacher is saying while preaching their lecture (this is at the secondary/college level).

Tech-savvy people for the win!

[Stray]

Students should be allowed to do what ever they wish with their gadgets. I'm guessing most schools would frown on this only because it would be "disrespectful" to be "ignoring" what the teacher is saying while preaching their lecture (this is at the secondary/college level).

Tech-savvy people for the win!

I'm understanding secondary is high school. My high school has zero tolerance for any devices that are not put away and turned off

[Jcbzr]

I'm understanding secondary is high school. My high school has zero tolerance for any devices that are not put away and turned off

Okay, high school would be the exception since freshmen are essentially kids fresh out of elementary. College on the other hand... teachers ask students not to use them, but I don't think they should bother you if you do; they get paid regardless what the student does.