Voorhees Middle School logs on for iPad distribution
In this modern age, students of all levels are learning to use technology in association with their schoolwork.
To best prepare students for a world where technology rules many sectors of life, Voorhees Middle School students will be introduced to specialized iPads for both school and personal use next year.
“The iPad itself is just a tool … we’re going to focus on higher-level thinking skills, and real-life lessons,” VMS Principal Dr. Robert Rossi said.
As part of a district-wide technology initiative, each VMS student will receive an iPad, as opposed to the current system, where many classrooms use shared iPads at different times. iPads the students are using now will be handed down to elementary schools in the district.
“They will increase the teacher’s abilities to share … they’re in perfect condition, and will be easy to filter down,” Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Diane Young said. “The funding is within our budget.”
Young said that each year, a portion of the school budget is used for textbooks. The middle school was looking to replace old math textbooks, but research indicated that purchasing the iPads would actually be “significantly less.”
“We were able to use those funds, and we decided to lease the iPads,” Young said.
The iPads may be returned after a period of three years. At that point, the school board has the option to buy each iPad as part of a group rate, for as little as $1 each. There is another option of what to do with the iPads when the lease has expired.
“We definitely looked at the long-range planning,” Young said. “We looked at PC value as well … this is something more cost-effective … we can always sell them back to a third party.”
The technology initiative has a purpose well beyond a cool upgrade for today’s students, and good investing for the BOE.
The iPads will shift learning to be more personalized, and give students without technology at home the opportunity to use it daily.
“iPads can help, especially for students without technology at home … we’re providing these students with the technology,” Rossi said.
Rossi also mentioned that, when VMS is forced to use the state’s all-digitalized PARCC testing, all students would have had the same technological training, due to classroom use with the iPads.
“Everyone will be on a level playing field,” Rossi said.
While students will be learning how to use the iPads and associated programs year-round, the board and VMS have already begun training teachers on how to properly implement the new technology.
According to Rossi, the VMS teachers have been attending technology driven training sessions for about three years, and will continue to do so throughout summer and next year.
“There will be more professional development workshops continued,” Rossi said.
Apple will also be helping the school adapt to so many iPads in the classroom.
“Apple has a very good education department that is supporting us through the process … basically, all next year they will be working with us,” Young said.
Parents will have their very own iPad training sessions during the first week of September. All parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend, though specific dates have not yet been set in place.
Young wanted to assure parents that all iPads will be monitored and controlled by VMS teachers and administrative staff at all times.
“We will be able to remotely control every device … there are a lot of really good controls in place,” Young said.
Teachers will also be able to control iPads in each classroom. As an example, Young described that a language arts teacher could focus students on strictly the programs they should be working with, such as the notepad feature.
“The teacher could shut down everything else, so only the notebook is available,” Young said.
No student will be able to remove the pre-set educational programs from the device, set restrictions or make certain updates. Due to the controls set in place, each iPad also has tracking features, in case an iPad is stolen or damaged.
“Once we report it stolen, we will be notified … and the iPad will be locked and unusable,” Young said.
Though the iPad program at VMS will be somewhat of a pilot run for students, teachers and parents involved, one undeniable factor may be that students will be more aware of the permanent digital trails that follow them, even after middle school.
“We don’t anticipate learning how to use the iPads to be difficult … what’s really important to us is that we teach students to be responsible digital citizens,” Young said.
