School Department Explores Swapping Textbooks For iPads

The East Greenwich School Department, looking into the possibility of equipping students with iPads instead of textbooks, last week visited Burlington High School in Massachusetts to see how such a program worked there.

Supt. Victor Mercurio gathered a team from East Greenwich to meet with people from Burlington High School to tour their classrooms and get information.  

The EG team included Mercurio, Paula Dillon (asst. supt), Michael Podraza (HS principal), Alexis Meyer (Cole principal), Karen Izzo (English department chair), Nick Rath (science department chair), Donna Hayes (Frenchtown library media specialist), Brian Schaefer (tech specialist), Andy Mello (tech specialist), and David Green (School Committee member).

“We were looking at how the one-to-one (1:1) program was being implemented at the school," said Asst. Supt. Dillon. "They were doing a nice job."

Dillon also said there were many positives she could see in using this program in East Greenwich, including gaining space by eliminating traditional computer labs, teaching students how to use the internet responsibly, and preparing students for a technology-filled society. Many colleges and universities have begun to encourage iPads into the classroom instead of students purchasing and using traditional textbooks.

The goal of the program includes EGSD providing each student at the high school with a personal iPad. Dillon said the district would see how things work at that level first before purchasing for lower grades, but she said there is a need for more technology for younger students to build their skills as they reach the high school.

Dillon said no timetable has been looked at yet as to when iPads would be implemented. She said they are looking into it at this point, but she feels it would be a great addition to the high school educational experience.  

“Funding from grants will be explored,” said Dillon. Money for the program could come at least in part from the elimination of textbook spending. It would not be an extra expenditure, Dillon said, but would come from re-appropriated funds. Dillon said iPads could be leased instead of purchased and they would be upgraded every couple of years.   

Dillon said that they started a program this year using grant money to buy MacBooks and iPads to use in special education and science classes. EGSD is currently using about 110 such devices in classrooms right now. 

“We wanted to see how the one-to-one works on a small scale as we are exploring the option for the entire school,” said Dillon.  

During the field trip to Massachusetts, Burlington High School Principal Patrick Larkin showed the team around the school, had faculty and students talk address the EG visitors, and talked about how the program was set up. Representatives from Exeter High School in New Hampshire attended the meeting as well.

“They have a student help desk that is run by the students," said Dillon about Burlington. "Students get a grade for working at it." She said they got to see students using iPads and that the students appeared very engaged. She said that students there are trained in Internet responsibility, and they and their parents have to sign agreements for iPad usage.

“I was impressed by how the Burlington school district has immersed themselves into technology, and how they have embraced the idea that we have a responsibility to teach our students how to use technology appropriately,” said Nicholas Rath. According to Rath, Burlington has had very few problems with student misbehavior with the iPads.

“We have the potential to become a model district in the state,” said Rath. He also said he thinks it’s possible to start the program as early as next school year.

Burlington High School has been in the for its progressive use of technology in education. Principal Patrick Larkin also maintains a blog for the school and uses Twitter to communicate with parents and students.

“They very much believe in using social media with education,” said Dillon.

“The jury is still out about whether or not we will use this in East Greenwich,” said the School Committee's David Green. Green said he went in as a “Doubting Thomas” but now after seeing the program himself, he can see its value.

“It allows educators to customize and create their own curriculum to where the textbooks come from companies generally in California and Texas. iPads let educators and students gain access to information worldwide,” said Green.

Dillon acknowledged that such a step would be significant.

“We are investigating and researching things before making a decision of this size and scope. Looking at schools that are ahead in the journey can only help us,” said Dillon.