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The implementation of tablet devices in school districts is gaining popularity across the world, and more educators are prepping the next generation with computers in the instructors hands the entire way. According to Deseret News, children between the ages of 5 and 7 are already learning computer coding and Web development in European countries.
Schools want their students to be better prepared for technology jobs, and easy computer programming algorithms might soon be taught alongside multiplication tables in the classrooms. According to the source, the British government also believes while the technology certainly helps math and science education, constantly working with Web development and laptops at school will increase students' creative side, as well.
Ohio school adopts iPads
With the highly digital years still ahead, many parents are starting early with their students to institute things like iPads in the classroom. At the St. Mary Central Catholic High School in Sandusky, Ohio, students are ditching pen and paper to type notes, review their report cards and read their textbooks on iPads, the Sandusky Register reported.
At the beginning of the 2014 school year, St. Mary issued its first-ever one-to-one initiative that gives its students personal iPad Air tablets for in-school use and to take home, the source reported. While the initiative wasn't ground-breaking, it was a new idea to the area. Currently, the students receive only the iPad Air, but school officials want to extend the program and give each student a Chromebook in the seventh and eighth grade.
"It's going very well," Dennis Antonelli, principal at SMCC for grades six through 12 told the source. "We laid the groundwork this past year, but it's certainly created some excitement now that the devices are in their hands."
iPads serve numerous functions
The iPads are used for several different functions such as taking state-mandated tests, taking notes, collecting assignments, sending homework and participating in classroom activities.
"It's changed the entire classroom," said Caroline Linden, a junior at SMCC, according to the source. "It makes everything accessible."
Both students and teachers approve
The students feel like the school made a great financial decision, the Sandusky Register reported.
"I can't think of anyone who's not happy with the iPads," said Dario Mormina, a junior at SMCC, according to the source. "It makes it easier to learn, and it gives you more freedom. I think it's even gone better than we all expected."
The schoolteachers are also excited for the new iPads because in the past, teachers had to wait up to eight years to replace books. Now, teachers can have the most up-to-date version from the publisher at much cheaper price, SMCC stated.
All-day coverage
The devices are so lightweight that they reduce the burden on the students to lug numerous text books from each class and to from the home to school, SMCC said. The iPads have more than 10 hours of battery strength, so students are able to use them unplugged throughout the entire day.
Additionally, the school can monitor all the apps on each student's iPad to make sure only safe and appropriate programs are added to the tablets. The school collected more than $100,000 from donors and contributions to the school geared toward technology to fund the program, the Sandusky Register reported.
With the devices in all the students' hands, the chance for breaks, drops, malfunctions, theft and lost equipment is a bit more likely with the younger kids. Personal insurance for schools can ensure each student's device is fully covered no matter the circumstances so iPads can be quickly replaced without significant downtime.