The district began the iPad pilot program this year in order to test the efficacy of iPads in the classroom. The Manhattan Beach Unified School District has provided a class set of iPads to a few select teachers across the district to test this potentially expensive new technology.
During a time of budget cuts and financial uncertainty, the district should not be trying to pilot a new, costly technology program that has not been proven effective. Instead of pursuing an untested and costly program, the district should attempt to find less costly ways to improve technology.
The Manhattan Beach Unified Teachers Association has recently stated its opposition to this program. According to Costa social studies teacher and MBUTA negotiating team chairperson Adam Geczi, if there is money for an expensive technology program, it should be spent on teacher salary adjustments.
According to Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale, the district will attempt to further implement the iPads. At the Manhattan Beach Middle School, they hope to have a “one to one” program where every student has an iPad. Dale states that Costa will adopt an optional “bring your own device” policy.
At MBMS, students can either lease or receive an iPad from the district. Students who lease one will eventually own their iPad, while students who receive a free one will return it at the end of the school year.
The appeal of iPads in many districts is that iPads can replace the use of textbooks. However, iPad textbooks are much more expensive than traditional textbooks now as textbook manufacturers have to charge a yearly fee for textbook use. But, over five years, the cost of a digital textbook will be roughly the same as a traditional textbook.
iPads are expensive and limited in their functionality. Instead of using grants to fund this program, the district should improve computers on campus and provide teachers who wish to use iPads with the iPads directly, instead of a sweeping one to one program.
Although iPads may prove to be effective, there are many other improvements that should be made to technology at Costa. Many of Costa’s computers run very outdated programs. This outdated technology does not have the processor power, memory and speed that is need for modern programs.
This would be a more effective use of money, as it would be more cost effective than implementing a “one on one” iPad program. Having an up-to-date system of computers is essential for students and teachers to be able to perform their jobs to the best of their ability.
Also, the wireless network available to students at Costa has not yet been completed. This may not render the iPad useless, but it severely limits the usable programs.
The iPad program lacks necessity and a focus on efficiency. These flaws coupled with unrealistic expectations make for a costly, ineffective and wasteful program.
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