Backpack Blues Advocacy Presents

1. Backpack Blues Advocacy Presents iPads vs. Backpacks

2. Are we injuring our children with heavy backpacks? • Today children’s backpacks weigh in at about twenty-five pounds on average. • iPads on the other hand weigh less than two pounds.

3. What about a second set of books? Even when the school provides a second set of books for use at home, most backpacks are loaded with binders for each class, gym shoes, a water bottle, pens and pencils, and lunch money.

4. What are the health factors? • According to Medical News Today, carrying heavy backpacks can compromise children’s posture and may contribute to future spinal injuries. • Multiple medical groups agree that backpacks should contain no more than ten percent of the child’s weight.

5. What are the health factors? • Dr. Timothy Neuschwander of the University of California stated “two key spinal measurements change as the backpack load increases.” • He has proven that the weight causes compression of the intervertebral discs, which is the cushion between the bones of the spine.

6. Awareness Chiropractors around the world are asking parents to become more aware of the weight of their children’s backpacks.

7. Solutions…. Disadvantage Second set of textbooks for students to keep at home. Lockers Rolling bags Expensive & Ineffective Students still have to carry heavy binders. Fear of weapons and drug paraphernalia. Traffic problems in hallways and insufficient storage space. Solution

8. Backpack Blues Advocacy Proposal Advantages iPads for each student in the classroom and for take home. iPads are current Reduce bulky binders and expensive textbooks. Support students in performing authentic tasks, define their goals, and teachers can evaluate their progress almost instantly. iPads provide current information. Textbooks become outdated quickly. Solution

9. Are schools open for the idea? Many schools are already embracing the idea! New York, Illinois, Virginia, Florida, California, and Arizona are a few of the states adapting their curriculum to use the iPad rather than textbooks. Sweetwater Union High School in San Diego, CA has decided to provide all 7th graders iPads over textbooks this year.

10. ARKANSAS Recently the Trumann, Arkansas school district has lease-purchased iPads and laptop computers for every student. Trumann’s goal is to have the students and teachers ready for the Common Core Benchmark test in 2014.

11. What is the Cost? iPads cost from $400.00 to $750.00 per student depending on the version.

12. How can iPads supplement learning? • Allow students correspond with efficiency, turning in papers and homework assignments instantly. • Teachers preserve a record of the students work in digital portfolios.

13. iPad Disadvantages Battery life 8-10 hours Shatter resistant case Portable Quick start up Touch Screen 2 pounds Fit student’s lifestyles Simple to use Check out e-books DECREASE BACKPACK WEIGHT Training teachers in using the technology in the best way for eh students. Benefits

14. Are teachers willing to learn? • Teachers have to be willing to learn and utilize tools of education as well as students. • RANDA Solutions of Nashville Tennessee is working on education intelligence software that will help teachers and other educators evaluate what and how students learn. • They believe that application of iPads in the classroom will cut down paperwork for teachers doing observational assessments.

15. In conclusion Our children are carrying backpacks full of textbooks and binders that are endangering their health. The solution is clear……..

16. Conclusion We are asking each individual at The State Board of Education in Arkansas to help us provided and implement our proposed statewide technology initiative. Our students must be equipped with iPads!