I just helped my district win a technology grant for $200,000 to put technology into the hands of all our students, grades 7 - 12. At the time the grant was written, the intent was to purchase laptops, as well as wireless usb accounts for our students who could not afford Internet access at home.
Just yesterday I heard that the district was now considering purchasing iPad 2s because we could outfit students through grade 5 (apparently Apple is discounting the iPad 2). I have an iPad 2 and I really love it, but am not sure how good of a resource and tool it will be at the high school level. I pro and conned it last night and have three major concerns:
1) We already use Moodle and have for years, but some of the functionality we use Moodle for will be eliminated on the iPad (document saving and altering)
2) Since it is a discounted iPad, students without Internet will still be without Internet when at home
3) Our state testing is done online. We have a good deal of computers already, but still struggle to get all the testing done. I'm unsure whether an iPad could be used for the upcoming PARCC test
Now that I have said that, I am wondering if any one else is in a high school with all iPads and how they use them. Are there things I am missing that may make some of my concerns go away.
Tags: iPad
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