On Tuesday, January 29, 2013, I visited Mid Pacific Institute, which is a 1:1 iPad school. Like Punahou, Mid Pacific maintains ownership of each iPad, choosing to have each student sign a three-year lease. Since each iPad is covered by AppleCare +, Robert McIntosh (no kidding), head of technology, feels that a two-year lease would make more sense regarding repairs...it has to do with how Apple records damage reports, whether it is tied to the device or to a particular iTunes account. When a student does damage their iPad they are issued a loaner while theirs is under repair. Robert said that choosing an appropriate case for student iPads was important, especially ones which protect the corners, such as an OtterBox.
Robert indicated that there are expectations for use among the faculty since the ipad adoption was a major investment ($1.2 million cost for implementation) for the school. While there was some resistance from teachers about moving from Dell desktops computers to the iPad, Robert believes the switch will allow Mid Pacific to move from a good school to a great school.
I observed a digital art class in which students were using iAnimate and ArtRage to create designs. Then, I observed a humanities class in which students were discussing the characters in 1984, Julia and Winston. Students tracked the conversation on their iPads, then posted their comments to Tumblr, where they maintain a blog that records class discussion.
I thought the iPad program and use of technology in general at Mid Pacific Institute was very impressive. They have a beautiful facility, the Mike and Sandy Hartley Math/Science/Technology Complex and Jeanette Weinberg Technology Plaza and have given careful thought to the use of educational technology. When the iPad 1:1 program was being considered, school president, Joe C. Rice, commented, "Just do it. Make it work." Gotta like that.
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