Michigan middle school students get 350 Apple iBooks
Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 02:43 PM EST"Mason Middle School [Erie, Michigan] students won't be taking out many pens or using much paper next week," Michelle Swartz reports for Monroe News.
"Instead, they will flip open their laptop computers," Swartz reports. "As part of a pilot program, all Mason Middle School students will be given their own laptop Apple [iBook G4] computers. The program, 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative, will allow teachers to integrate the curriculum into technology."
Swartz reports, "'The teachers can't stop talking about it. They are very excited,' said Katie Rofkar, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment. 'They are teaming together to develop ways of using the technology in the classroom.'"
Schwartz reports, "The district is leasing approximately 350 laptops for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students. The school board approved the lease, $129,967 annually for four years, in July."
"Teachers will be using Apple iLife software, which includes photocasting, the Web, a DVD creator, music and other tools," Schwartz reports. "Ryan Throop, a middle school geography teacher, says the possibilities are endless with the new technology. 'It's going to completely enhance and change everything we do as teachers,' he said."
"Volunteers are building shelves to store the laptops. Students will be assigned shelf space and before leaving school at the end of the day, they will put their computers on the shelves, where they can charge overnight," Schwartz reports.
Full article here.
[Updated: 4:24pm EDT: Changed "Waterford" to "Erie." Thanks, George A. Custer.]
Send us links! Email: webmaster@macdailynews.com
Apple Store Advertisements
iPhone 3G S: From $199. Free shipping.
New 13-inch MacBook: From $999. Free shipping.
13-inch Macbook Pro: From $1199. Free shipping.
13-inch MacBook Air: From $1499. Free shipping.
15-inch Macbook Pro: From $1699. Free shipping.
17-inch MacBook Pro: From $2499. Free shipping.
New Mac mini: From $599. Free shipping.
New iMac 21.5-inch: From $1199. Free shipping.
New iMac 27-inch: From $1699. Free shipping.
Mac Pro: From $2499. Free shipping.
iPod touch: From $199. Free Shipping.
iPod nano: Now shoots video! From $149. Free shipping.
iPod shuffle: From $59. Free engraving. Free shipping.
Apple TV: From $229. Free shipping.
MacDailyNews on Twitter
MacDailyNews app for iPhone and iPod touch
Related articles:
Nebraska high school provides nearly 200 Apple iBooks to all students - August 28, 2006
Maine inks deal with Apple for 36,000 iBook G4 notebooks for students and teachers - June 29, 2006
Apple beats Dell: lands deal to supply 12,675 iBooks to Henrico County Middle Schools - February 09, 2006
Apple Mac is #1 in European education market, pushes Dell down into second place - February 03, 2006
= 
I had an abacus when I went to school. Now my daughter has a Razr cell, Ibook G4 and 40g iPod for college. Man how times change..