The 2013-14 school year kicked off with over half of New Trier High School's student body, or around 2,300 students, using iPads as a learning tool. The school offered extensive training to both students and parents to show how iPads can enhance classroom experiences.
The District subsidizes $270 out of the total cost for the iPad, keyboard, app and other accessories. A 16GB device costs $350 and a 32GB device costs $450. Families can also choose to supply their own device.
Director of Technology Chris Johnson told the Board at their August meeting that the response has been mostly positive, although there are still a few misconceptions to address. He pointed out that many people think of the program as just an e-book program. While it is part of it, the iPads are used to also create multimedia content and organize assignments.
Some families have also complained about the overall cost, although the District believes that the program will actually be less expensive in the longterm than purchasing individual books. The school is looking into how to best address these concerns.
Do you think the iPad initiative at New Trier is a good idea? Let us know in the comments below!
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