By Nick Block
Staff Writer
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District unanimously approved the implementation of the Technology Committee’s iPad Pilot, a trial that gives iPads and class sets of iPod touches to eight Costa teachers.
The eight teachers, from varying departments at Costa, will have the opportunity to incorporate the new electronics into their daily teaching routines. The pilot is part of the MBUSD’s long-term technology plan, which includes eventually putting iPads in all students’ hands.
“The plan is consistent with the latest research on 21st-century education,” MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews said. “This [pilot] is a learning experiment, so we are going to need some collaboration.”
The estimated cost of the project is $450,000, which will be paid for with funds from the 2010-11 budget, leaving next year’s budget unaffected. This plan also includes Manhattan Beach Middle School and the MBUSD elementary schools.
Some believe that the funds should be used for other improvements within the district.
“I think funds could be better utilized to upgrade computers that we currently have,” junior Michael McPherson said.
Some students and teachers want to maintain traditional ways of teaching.
“The iPads may become a distraction, and students might lose them,” junior Erin Murphy said. “I don’t see what the problem is with traditional whiteboards and paper. Those [materials] have always worked fine for me.”
Others believe that the new use of technology will result in a stronger learning environment.
“It’s a move in the right direction,” English teacher Quincy Howerton said. “The more we are up to date, the more we can educate students in a way more meaningful to them.”
The Technology Committee, a committee of district employees created to update technology in MBUSD, has discussed security features but has not come to an agreement. However, one of the goals is to ensure that students do not download applications that are not school approved. There will also be software installed on iPads to prevent students from hacking or abusing them.
“I would advocate the least restrictive protocols,” media teacher and MBUSD Technology Committee member Michael Hernandez said. “However, there will be ways to solve hacking and prevent students from downloading certain applications.”
MBUSD believes that teachers will be able to both creatively teach and keep students eager to learn with iPads. The district feels these tools will make teachers less reliant on paper and allow for more efficient grading. Eventually, it wants students to be able to take tests on iPads.
“With technology, you create an opportunity to allow teachers to become artisans,” Costa Principal Ben Dale said.
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