One the most exciting initiatives at Davidson Academy is the utilization of

individual devices for all students. 

Grades K4 – 3 use iPad mobile carts, Grades 4 & 5 use individual iPads (that remain at school) and students in Grades 6 – 12 use either school-leased iPads or Microsoft Surface Pro devices.

 

Today’s students are digital natives.  They have grown up with technology.  In order to reach a digital generation, we need to incorporate and expand on the use of such devices.  Research has proven that students using the iPad have higher test scores in comparison to those who do not.  Other research has shown more parental involvement in learning takes place when students have an iPad.  Students are motivated and engaged with the devices and are eager to learn and explore more in subject areas. 

 

Before we implemented this program, we did our homework. And we've continued to make necessary changes and adapt as the program has developed.

 

In Fall 2011, a “1 to 1” (1:1) technology taskforce (consisting of parents, teachers, and board members) was established to evaluate and recommend the use of a 1:1 technology plan. We first looked at research to see if there was evidence to support such a decision.  One source of information was Project Red that focused on the 1:1 initiative and was not device specific. The group’s research showed that 1:1 technology initiatives improved the learning environment in several ways:  student engagement, lower dropout rate, better attendance, college attendance, and academic success.

 

The next issue was BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) vs. standardization of devices.  A survey of teachers showed that most felt that they would have difficulty supporting and planning lessons for classes in which students might have devices ranging from a basic smart phone, an eBook reader with internet access, a variety of tablets, to a variety of laptops.  BYOD programs also stretch the resources of a technology department to support so many different types of devices.  Of course, we talked with other schools on this issue, as well. Our decision was that we needed to standardize one device for student use.

 

Next was the issue of what type of device to utilize: laptop, netbook, or tablet.  We quickly eliminated the netbook.  Every school we talked to said that going with netbooks was a mistake.  We were told that they did not hold up under student use and were not robust enough for many things that schools wanted to do. 

Most schools are using laptops or tablets. 

 

We discovered several advantages of using tablets over laptops.  The cost of tablets are generally less expensive than a quality laptop that can hold up for student use.  Applications are much less expensive than computer software; there is also a huge variety of free educational apps for tablets. Tablets tend to be easier to carry around and are very lightweight. Another big advantage of tablets is they can be carried around without shutting them down, so when students get to class they experience an instant “on,” while laptops really need to be shut down when transported (to protect the hard drive).  Support for laptops require more technology staff support and personnel because of the complexity of the device and software issues. 

 

Next was to decide which tablet.  When the taskforce began meeting, there were few tablets on the market, other than the iPad. Other manufacturers were new players in the game, and their tablets had not been on the market as long.  Because of the iPad’s market dominance at that time, some manufacturers like HP were even taking their tablet off the market.  In looking for educational apps and digital textbooks, many more were available for iPad than other devices.  Because a number of schools had already implemented 1:1 initiatives using the iPad, we had models for implementation and site visits available to our school. Schools had done studies we could investigate to see the results they were having with their iPad initiatives.  This information was not available for other manufacturers at that time, because there had not been any notable adoptions in schools.

 

With time, we've learned that for younger students, the iPads are still a great fit. However, for older students we are beginning a two-year transition to the Microsoft Surface Pro.

 

We believe in helping our students reach 21st century learning goals, and we are working to the best of our ability to make the program successful.

 

If you have any questions regarding our technology program, please contact

Craig Browning at 615.565.0229.