By Jack Allen
Opinion Editor
Mira Costa’s recent decision to bring iPads and Wi-Fi to campus, is a smart decision that allows both students and teachers to excel in the classroom.
The administration’s interest in creating a technologically advanced campus has shown its ability to enhance the learning environment and has great potential for the future. As with any change to Costa life, the program has received complaints. However, the pros of both iPads and Wi-Fi outweigh the cons.
The iPads allow students to learn efficiently in the classroom by providing them with instant feedback on assignments and tests. Students learn from all sorts of feedback, but the technology integrated learning is most beneficial when provided immediately after an assignment or test. These iPads provide students with the immediate help they need to make progress in the classroom.
A CNN study found that during a demonstration with Apple and co-partner Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a textbook company, 20% more students who used a textbook on the iPad scored “Proficient” or higher, rather than those who used hardcover textbooks.
According to Costa Spanish teacher Edward Frigola, the iPads not only help the students but also give teachers more time to prepare and teach lessons because the time spent grading assignments is eliminated. With large class sizes, it’s easy for a student to fall behind without receiving help. When used correctly, iPads can supply a teacher with more time to help students on an individual basis.
With only four iPad carts on campus, it is common for students to never use an iPad in the classroom. The current students at Manhattan Beach Middle School have each been issued iPads and will be bringing their devices to Costa next year. With next year’s freshman class equipped with iPads, more students will be able to use new technology on campus.
Along with the iPads, Wi-Fi access points were installed in 25 classrooms as well as major common areas on campus such as the cafeteria. MBUSD decided to place these access points in the classrooms of the 25 teachers that first volunteered to use iPads. Wi-Fi now allows students and teachers to use the iPads to their full potential.
According to Vice Principal Ian Drummond, school-wide Wi-Fi will be available for use on personal devices soon. Mustang Morning News and Hoofprints are just two of many student-run organizations that rely on the electronic devices that aid these much-needed organizations on Costa’s campus. Students in these organizations confirm that personal technology helps them organize and communicate.
Costa is one of the first high schools in the area to make a large technological change such as this. Considering more jobs now rely on new technology, it is important that students know how to use this technology both educationally and socially. Principal Dr. Ben Dale doesn’t want Costa students to be “technologically illiterate.”
The PTSA spent $40,000 in funds on iPads for teachers, and the district contributed a similar amount for the purchase of other iPads as well as Wi-Fi access points. The education methods and instant feedback that iPads and Wi-Fi brings to students is worth the expenses.
Many students are confused about how they can access the Wi-Fi personally. Every teacher on campus has the password and is able to give the information to students when asked.
In the future, Costa will have an opportunity to add more access points to classrooms in order to ensure complete campus coverage, while continuing to put iPads into the hands of more students. iPads and Wi-Fi are a smart use of money and allow students the opportunity to learn differently and efficiently.
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