Norwin to launch iPad program for students

Norwin plans to launch a program next school year to give iPads to students, starting in fifth grade and continuing over four years, so that all students from fifth through 12th grades will study on computer tablets that eventually will replace textbooks.

The multi-year One to World program giving Apple iPads to students will be used to support curriculum, encourage creativity and increase efficiency by reducing the need for paper and books, Natalie McCracken, Norwin assistant superintendent, told the school board Monday.

“The technology gives us the opportunity to extend the school day,” and can change the way teachers provide meaningful instruction, McCracken said.

The program could begin in August, which McCracken admitted was an “aggressive but reasonable” schedule.

Since October, 90 students in three sixth-grade classes at Hillcrest Intermediate School have been using iPads in core classes of English Language Arts, science, math and social studies as well as art, music, library and computer science as part of a pilot One to World program, McCracken said.

“It’s been a great learning process for the students and the teachers,” with the students helping teachers when they have problems with the technology, McCracken said.

The iPads will supplement textbooks until teachers believe it is possible to replace them, McCracken said.

Most of the students have found that working with the iPads is very easy, said Donna Duncan, who teaches accelerated math to sixth grade students at Hillcrest Intermediate.

“They really enjoy it,” Duncan said, although some students still prefer not using the iPads for their math.

“With the iPad, we can do some much more,” Duncan added.

The program will set up students for success, whether they go onto college or pursue a career in the trades, said Brian Carlton, board president.

“I think this is going to be great for our district and our students,” Carlton said.

Norwin wants to spend about $100,000 to acquire 1,000 iPads though a lease-to-purchase program for the 2020-21 school year, McCracken said. In the second, third and fourth years, the district would acquire 1,000 iPads for a total four-year cost of about $400,000.

Norwin will save $470,000 over the four-year period by entering into a lease-to-own agreement rather than buying them, said Ryan Kirsch, business affairs director. Norwin would rent iPads for three years, then buy them in the fourth year at a cost of $1 per iPad, Kirsch said.

Buying 1,000 iPads in the first year of the program would cost $300,000 rather than the projected $99,000 to lease them, Kirsch said.

The iPads will be paid for through the district’s general fund, Kirsch said.

To make the iPad program work, the district will need to improve its technology, installing wireless access points in each classroom, McCracken noted.