6 TH GRADE IPAD PILOT FRIENDS ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL, LOCUST VALLEY, NY

PLAN FOR SCHOOL YEAR SEPTEMBER, 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, .

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

SUMMER 2011 Members of 6 th 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.

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.

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. Issues of Equity amongst students has been dramatically improved.

THINGS TO IMPROVE UPON While 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.

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

AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE Continue program into 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. 7/8 th grade teams to meet with 6 th grade team during upcoming faculty meetings Similar process for summer curricular work to be established for 7/8 th grade work. Further explore LS/US use of the technology Professional Development

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