iPads for All Students Next Year

The Croswell-Lexington School District announces a One-to-One initiative for the 2012-2013 school year and beyond.  Every student in grades 5-12 will receive a WIFI-equipped iPad that will contain digital textbooks, novels, and a multitude of learning tools and applications.  In addition to the One-to-One iPad initiative in grades 5-12, about 150 iPads are already being used in school by students in grades K-4.  Combined with mini-laptops, laptops, and desktop computers, the district will achieve its goal of technology in the hands of every student, every day.

“The district’s goal, as always, is providing the best education possible for our students,” said Cros-Lex Superintendent Dr. Kevin Miller.  “Our core belief is today’s students learn differently than the way we learned.  The world today demands a tech-savvy person.  This One-to-One initiative will help us to prepare our students for requirements desired by colleges and the work force.  Our students have grown up with technology in the palm of their hands.  We want to make sure that this same technology is used to prepare them for success in the 21st century.”

Digital textbooks offer to students tremendous advantages over traditional textbooks. Students will have the opportunity to immediately get a definition of a word they don’t understand or to instantly get access through links to the world wide web or videos on the subject being studied.  Students will also have the ability to highlight and save the text of key concepts to digital notecards to review later.  Digital books are also updated often and contain 3-D images and graphics that can be manipulated by students.

The student iPads will have software loaded allowing them to test digitally and to answer questions digitally through an app called “eclicker” when a teacher does formative assessments (quick testing to see how students are absorbing information in the lesson).  The iPads will be loaded with a graphing calculator app and reading and math applications.  Students will turn in assignments digitally using programs like Google Applications for education.

The devices will be paid for initially by replacing two line items in the district budget; the technology computer-purchase line item and the textbook-purchase line item.  Ultimately, we believe that the shift from traditional textbooks to technology like the iPad will save the district money.  There are dozens of digital textbooks available at no cost.

The district will offer an inexpensive insurance policy to families to replace damaged devices.  A district technology committee will develop policies listing expectations for student use both at school and at home.  District officials plan to visit districts in West Michigan who have already embarked on a One-to-One technology initiative that includes iPads.  Croswell-Lexington will be one of the first districts in Eastern Michigan to roll out a One-to-One iPad initiative for all middle and high school students.  

Professional development for teachers will help them transition from using traditional texts to digital textbooks and the many learning applications offered by the devices.  The district is planning an orientation meeting for students and parents prior to the start of the 2012-13 school year.

“Ultimately, we expect this initiative to fundamentally change the way we educate and the way students learn,” said Miller.  “We’ve already seen the positive impact the iPads have had at the elementary and middle schools.”