http://www.themonitor.com/news/mcallen-57952-idea-ipads.html

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The first question – whether TLC-3 was a “grand experiment” – came from IBC Bank President and CEO David Guerra, who also sits on the board of directors for IDEA Public Schools.

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McAllen is really doing something different here and you have to wonder if it is going to work out. I am old and I don't really like to use these new iPad and smart phone devices but the kids sure are into them. My grandkids have iTouch pads and they use them constantly. (I know since I bought them!) I watch how they use them and they have (as well as games) learning APs ( did I use that right?).

I find it interesting that the person that was most negatively animated about this is a board member of the IDEA Schools which is trying to convince kids to leave public schools like McAllen and come with this charter. Frankly I think that IDEA is doing a good job and is a good alternative to regular public schools. Not all charter schools have had the success that IDEA has.

It is really interesting that huge pressure is being put on public schools these days and they face opposition from many quarters to make changes that might improve them.

In an effort for full disclosure - I need to "come clean" and tell you that I am a retired principal from McAllen school district, have relatives working in the McAllen school district, and have grandkids in McAllen.


[This message has been edited by oldvalleyrat (edited 1/13/2012 8:21a).]

I dont see the practical application of this type of technology in schools. How are they planning on improving the education of students with these devices?


The startup cost along with the upkeep can quickly add up. I could see many more practical ways to provide students with a technological edge for that kind of money.

jmed2010

I suspect that you have a better idea of how this type of technology could be used since you are a lot closer to the age of school age kids than I am.

However, I think that the first idea is that the textbooks can be downloaded onto these pads so that the school district is not responsible for millions of dollars worth of textbooks. Having been in charge of textbooks for two large high schools I can tell you that the cost of the books for a school district is much more than you can imagine, expecially since the cost of printed material has gone up over the last few years.

I don't know for a fact, but I assume that papers could written and e-mailed to English teachers instead of being written, printed, etc at home. This can be done now from home by students that have the use of computers at their house.

I suspect that the real issues with these type of pads will be the hardware issues such as what do you do when they are lost, broken or misused! How can you issue a $500 ipad to a low income student and expect them to pay for it if they lose it? I am sure there will be problems that haven't been thought of, too. Should be interesting.

i could see this working in certain schools or classrooms. AP courses maybe. possibly at idea or stisd. at the general level this seems like another idea that sounds great in theory but is probably doomed. everyone wants to integrate technology but the level of responsibility needed by students to adequately care for these is not going to be present. it would also take a very up to date staff with flexible administration to make this work. yet again, unlikely.

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everyone wants to integrate technology

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Interesting that you should say that. The teacher's appraisal includes one element that requires the appraiser to rate the teacher on the use of technology in the classroom (both students and teachers)

It states, "The teacher makes appropriate and
effective use of available technology
as a part of the instructional
process".

It has been interesting in teachers rooms where not much technology is available.

A few thoughts from the kid of two school teachers/administrators:

1. From a cost/responsibility view, how is issuing a $500 learning device different from a $500 band instrument or football equipment? Or for that matter, $500 worth of text books.

2. Considering advancements in technology, isn't this similar to the typing and shorthand courses taught by educators when I was in school?

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1. From a cost/responsibility view, how is issuing a $500 learning device different from a $500 band instrument or football equipment? Or for that matter, $500 worth of text books.

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they're fragile, require upkeep by tech staff (imagine a staff of 5 having to update 500 computers), and will require a restructuring of curriculum.

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2. Considering advancements in technology, isn't this similar to the typing and shorthand courses taught by educators when I was in school?

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these aren't skill based (typing) so much as they are the latest gizmo (newest typewriter)

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these aren't skill based (typing) so much as they are the latest gizmo (newest typewriter)

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I'm not sure that I agree with this. I taught Physics/AP Physics in three different high schools in the San Antonio area and a private school in the valley, prior to becoming a school administrator and I have been trying to imagine how I could use these in class.

Clearly it would have it could have replaced the tectbook, and I suspect that the University Physics text by Halliday and Resnick cost a substantial amount. Then again I didn't use the book a lot. ( it is the same book that we used at A&M for Physics 218 and 219. The regular Physics book was pretty expensive too. It would be pretty nice not to have to carry those heavy books home every night from the students point of view.

I suppose that I could provide assignments that could be downloaded rather than run off on the Xerox machine and provide the lab information to be downloaded as well.

I wonder how I would be able to use these to replace the graphic calculators that the kids use in math, Chemistry and Physics. I guess it would depend on what type of software is available. I think that some schools already provide those while some have the kids buy their own.

Rather than show those videos that we use I suppose that those could be available for download for class use and could then be reused if the kids want at home through something like youtube.

The school sure would need to be sure that the network (school or district) was up and running. You couldn't have a situation where you plan a lesson around something on the net and have the schools "electronics go down". You couldn't have the district decide to take the system off line because they were printing report cards or something.

I know I am rambling but was just trying to come up with some thoughts about how it might be used. What do you think?

i think you're correct in what it could be used for

South Belton Middle School gave an iPad to every single kid this past year...

They are allowed to take them home and everything

Interesting information coming out at the McAllen ISD regarding the Ipads. The school district is in the process of actually providing the IPADs at the Jr. Highs. As an old Physics teacher I can see lots of interesting applications. They have a newsletter if you are interested in reading more about it. I suspect that there are going to be more school districts going this route. Parents are being required to pay $40 for insurance before the students can get the Ipad. Apparently folks are not complaining about the fee.

http://mws.mcallenisd.net/cidc/newsletter/archives/current/the_server.shtml