I wasn’t going to post today (life and writing are interfering with blogging), but I came across this:
Two District 15 Schools Awarded Laptop Grant
This is my local school district (which has 20 schools and of which I was an elected board member for four years). It doesn’t sound all that exciting until you scroll down and realize that these aren’t laptops the kids are getting … they are iPads.
Two schools in my suburban district will now give every child, Grades 3-6, an iPad. That’s 900 iPads. In my district.
I’m still letting that sink in.
There are suddenly at least 900 kids in the district that have a mobile device for reading in their hands every day.
(It’s important to note that these are not affluent schools. In fact, the grant was based on having 40% free and reduced lunch.)
Every time I think it will take some time for the e-revolution to reach some aspect of the industry (middle grade books, for example), it turns out I’m wrong.
It’s taking no time at all.
Wow! This is really interesting, Susan! As a writer, I find it exciting that there are more ways to reach our readers. And as an educator, I'm curious about how these will be used and how effective they will be for learning.
A few years ago, WiDo Publishing's sales & distribution manager speculated about who would get e-readers into the hands of school children first. He said, Like Apple gave the schools computers… Well, look at that. It is Apple. No big surprise there.
Maybe if I enrolled in grade three again they'd give me an iPad?
As long as they're not just playing Angry Birds 😉
@Andrea Whenever we get new tech in the schools (of which I'm a big proponent), my question (too) is always, how will this aid instruction? One of our schools (the one where my kids attend) raised money and got a Smartboard in every classroom. Some teachers make fantastic use, some use it as just a projector. But the best thing they did was develop a ning (like professional fb, or Google+) to collaborate and share ideas about how to use the Smartboard. Now, a couple years later, everyone uses it one way or another. But it does take time…
@KarenG Apple does lead the way. Although these iPads were purchased through a technology grant from the state, not donated. I wish!
@Bryan I know, right? These kids run circles around me.
@Rick Can Angry Birds be disabled? Because I'm sure the teachers would like to find a way to do that! 🙂
No surprise it's Apple at all! I think kids will love it!
Wonderful news!
I'm with Rick! Let's hope they use the ipads to read e-books! LOL!
S.B. Niccum
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Ditto around here. Dell has given laptops for students to use for the last three years of highschool. Assuming they do well, they can take the laptops with them to a four year college, two year college or trade school. It is an amazing project and is helping to break down barriers many folks didn't know existed.
A local early childhood center has joined other centers in the area with iPads and interactive tables (overgrown iPads). I wasn't sure how I felt until I witnessed early reading and recognition skills taking off. The benefits to children with learning problems are outstanding.
I only hope that some one teaches them to love "old fashioned" books.
Apple, taking over the world one school district at a time. I visited an apple store for the first time a couple weeks ago (for my wife's faulty itouch)… scared the hell out of me.
@Laura and @Natasha I hope so!
@SB I can only imagine that reading on them will become second nature.
@EastCoaster I wish my (kids) high school would do that! The potential is HUGE!
@Giggles That's awesome! And I'm sure that the classrooms are filled with paper-book-lovers, so I don't think there's any danger of losing that part.
Anything that gets kids to love reading is fine with me. Thanks for sharing this Susan.
We are definitely moving fast and faster. I have to laugh at my texting skills when I compare them to the kids. They have those thumbs under control, my thumbs have me under control. I'm sure it's a generational thing.
@Bane Those stores are impressive. I haven't worked up the courage to walk inside. 🙂
@DG Ditto!
@Clee My thumbs are useless. Give me QWERTY or give me…uh, no qwerty. Okay, that was lame. LOL
Also: If you're worried about Apple taking over, well you might be right.
I never had a doubt that electronic readers would catch on fast. Kids are way ahead of adults on stuff like that! Yay for your district. That is awesome.
That's AWESOME! The more ways for kids to get their hands on books to read, the better.
If you're at all still active in the schools – stay vigilant. I know way too many districts in my area that do this as publicity, but don't train their teachers. The iPads sit on the classroom countertops while the teachers continue doing what they're actually trained in. (no fault of the teachers here – totally administrations fault of seeking publicity).
erica
How cool! Our school has Macs for every kid in 3rd through 6th, but iPads — that's awesome! They're going to love it.
@kai The kids truly are fearless and tech adept!
@Laura YES! 🙂
@E&C I've had lots of conversations with our district's head tech asst super, and training was always a top priority. I think because we both geeked out over the tech, we also cringed at the thought of all that gorgeous technology getting dusty in the corner. So training was always at the top of our minds. I trust that he's still carrying on without my badgering. 🙂
@Sherrie Wow Macs for every kid! But it's Solvang. I kinda think of that place as Camelot. 🙂
Hi Susan .. very interesting .. who'd have thought it .. Apple really are at the top of their game ..
I rather like Bryan's idea .. I think I'll enroll again!
Santa Claus please send me one early! Cheers Hilary … lucky kids!
Wow, I think that's really cool. I hope the kids use it to read lots of books!