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Classroom Technology at BC High. 1 to 1 computing. Initially tablets - laptops with added features Downsides seen as: Battery life Barrier created by laptop screen Bulk Start-up time. Then, the iPad. Immediately on Low profile Access to apps Availability of textbooks?.
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1 to 1 computing • Initially tablets - laptops with added features • Downsides seen as: • Battery life • Barrier created by laptop screen • Bulk • Start-up time
Then, the iPad • Immediately on • Low profile • Access to apps • Availability of textbooks?
BC High's exploration of the iPad • Last school year, department chairs and administrators got iPads. • Over the summer, decision was made to purchase iPads for all teaching faculty. • In an investigation process now to answer the question: Will iPads help students be more effective learners?
Investigation • Initial training • iTunes cards • Workshops mainly focused on apps • iPad carts • Faculty presentations to the Academic Council • Parent, student, department focus groups • School visitations • Faculty meetings
So far . . . on the positive side • Cart seen to be better than taking students to the computer lab - quicker access to information • Increased student collaboration, engagement, motivation • Many students have their own iPads and use them at the discretion of classroom teachers • Converting PowerPoints has been mostly easy • Textbook availability is looking very encouraging
So far . . . on the negative side • Content creation is difficult • Printing may be an issue . . . may not be • Student distractibility / monitoring them • Security, safety, access / equity
Your perspective • What excites you about your son using an iPad as an educational tool? • What concerns you about your son having an iPad?