6
The Free Press - News
Senior Ashanti Riccardo draws on an iPad using a pen. Next year, students will be given a pen along with their iPad to allow similar functionality. Photo by Maddie McIntire
TRADING MACBOOKS FOR IPADS A transition from MacBooks to iPads for all USD 497 high school students begins next Story by Stella Mosier school year
F year.
or five years, USD 497 high school students have been provided with MacBooks for school; however, the school board has opted to transition to iPads next
To evaluate how iPads may potentially affect student’s abilities to learn, Vignery asked teachers to volunteer for a trial run.
“The iPad came out on top in all three areas and is the closest device to our current technology to ease transition,” According to the District TechnologyServices Department, they also considered transitioning to other devices such as David Vignery, the district Windows and Chromebooks, but found that transitioning to a different platform would have created more challenges technology director said at the than those posed by iPads. They based their results off of board meeting.” adaptability, potential cost savings, and durability. The board made the decision on Jan. 23, following a difficult conversation regarding ways the school budget could be cut. They estimate saving approximately $1.3 million per year by transitioning to iPads.