Steve R.'s presentation on our schools Ipad pilot.

2. PLAN FOR 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR
SEPTEMBER, 2011
65 iPads purchased during the summer 2011
School decided to maintain complete control of
devices.
Devices were synced with teacher selected
applications, books, important PDF documents.
Functionalities included: Student planbook, ebooks,
social networking sites (education friendly), camera,
notetaking applications, email.

3. PREPARATION
April, May & June 2011
All MS teachers receive iPad for class use, begin to
understand the device and its functionalities, research
various apps designed for educational purposes.
May 2011
FA hosts iPad workshop for NYSAIS schools.
Over 35 people in attendance

4. SUMMER 2011
Members of 6th grade team apply for
curriculum development grants with the
focus on integrating the iPad into the
curriculum.
They were also charged with developing a
list of “teacher friendly” apps for use in
classes and developing specific lessons
for students to learn various important
applications.

5. PARENT/STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
• Parents encouraged to sign insurance form covering
the iPad in case of damage, loss.
Parents also agreed to provide wifi at home.
Device was not intended to replace important
experiences already part of their program but to
enhance them.
Students responsible for charging, bringing it to class,
having it available whenever need be.

6. WHAT’S BEEN GOOD ABOUT IT?
Student use of e-book, schools are seeing the
beginnings of more digital text incorporated into
curriculum.
Students working more dynamically with video,
pictures.
Significant drop in paper use.
Students understand times for use, are comfortable
using it.
The device has helped to improve organization.
Students have thought outside of the box in terms of
its use.
Breakage and loss has been predictable.
Well received during open house.

7. THINGS TO IMPROVE UPON
While email is a valuable component of the program
the interface with FA’s existing system has been
problematic.
Student planner to be reviewed and migrate over to a
less complex calendar.
Number of apps that is on the device to be
consolidated. New IOS updates are beginning to
incorporate more functionalities that eliminates the
need for some apps.
Consideration of accessories to improve student
experience.

8. IN GENERAL…..
Overall the program has been very well
received by both parents and their children.
FA offered parent workshop in early October
around use of the iPad to improve parent
awareness of the device. More meetings are
being planned for the future.
Professional Development is ongoing
 Friends Council on Education, Technology gathering
 Apple Update Conference
 NMSA National Conference
 Future NYSAIS/Apple Gatherings

9. AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Continue program into
2012-2013 with remainder of Middle School
Hopeful the school will migrate into a family owned model with
some school controls, rather than a completely school
overseen model.
Establish committee to examine questions of ownership,
management, and acceptable use policies.
7/8th grade teams to meet with 6th grade team during upcoming
faculty meetings
Similar process for summer curricular work to be established for
7/8th grade work.
Further explore LS/US use of the technology
Professional Development

10. TESTIMONIALS
“My favorite part about having iPads is that there are “My favorite part has been all the
really cool games and fun ways to learn. My favorite apps amazing things an iPad can do! Ex,
are the Spanish one and art rage. I also have really GarageBand, pages, keynote, edmodo,
enjoyed a lighter backpack.” dropbox, artrage, neu. annotate, and
more! I have had a lot of fun with this
“My favorite part of having the iPad is how easy it is to
iPad, and I hope I get an opportunity like
get information or documents from your teachers or
this again.”
peers. It is so cool.”
“I think that we should use paper
“It has created much less clutter, made me much more agenda pads and we should be able
organized with all my books, and a lot of other things to bring in our own keyboards.”
to.”
“I think you can use a different app instead of Neu
Annotate because it glitches a lot.” “Dragon dictation helped because I'm
a slow typer, more portable than a
“The iPad has helped me with various things. I laptop, Ghostwriter saves paper,
have the ability to surf the web easily. The new You can take videos and pictures,
pages app really seems to help me with notes. Drop box has been very helpful,
The iPad also is very good battery wise. I have We have all the books and handouts,
to give Steve jobs some credit for this gadget.” Use of flash cards”
Thoughts on Science