Over the summer one of the biggest announcements from the Norwin school district was that every kid would receive an iPad for the 2021-2022 school year. On the first day of school, first period teachers handed out iPads to every student and then the next day students were required to bring them to class. 

     “I was very excited to receive an iPad,” said senior Chase Rigo. “I heard rumors the summer before that we were going to be getting iPads but I wasn’t sure if we were really going to get them.”

    The District provided  every student with an iPad through using existing district devices and federal grant money from 1:World Initiative. Every family was also required to pay $35 for insurance per child. The insurance fee was waived for any student that qualifies for the free and reduced lunch program. NORWIN IPAD INFORMATION PAGE There are deductibles for each time an iPad is broken. The first time costs $25 to replace it but the second time an iPad is lost or broken it costs $59 to $299. 

   Many teachers have been trying to incorporate the iPads into their classrooms through the use of apps such as JigSpace and GarageBand. 

     “Aside from just note packets, we’ve used the iPads in Academic Physics to time data and graph the results,” said Mr. Matthew Anticole, science teacher at the high school. “In AP Physics, we used them to complete a video-based lab.  In Physics in Medicine, we looked at a 3D model of the heart using JigSpace.”

    Using different apps in class has become a highlight of receiving an iPad for some students.

     “When we used JigSpace in Physics in Medicine with Mr. Anticole I was really impressed,” said Jessica Kessler, 12. “We used it to see a 3D version of a human heart. I felt that it was really beneficial to me and my understanding of the structure of the heart.” 

     Now that students have their own school issued devices many students have found it easier to get their work done while in school.

     “I haven’t needed to bring my own computer or use one of the laptop carts this year because I have my own device,” said Kat Garvin, 12. “They have been so much less of a hassle to use than the laptops from last year.”

     The general consensus from students and teachers have been that the iPads have been extremely beneficial for their classes.

     “All class materials can be shared quickly both from the teacher to students and then right back to teachers so we can see how effective our hard work can be,” said Mrs. Knipple. “If there’s something we need to discuss, correct, or simply expand upon, we can do that a great deal faster too. So it’s definitely more efficient, but more importantly, it’s more personal. I hope everybody uses this as an opportunity to grow as a lifelong learner.”

     Many students enjoy having a device of their own and not having to worry about finding a charged laptop from the laptop carts.

     “Honestly the best part of having an iPad in my opinion has been not having to search through the laptop carts trying to find a laptop that would even turn on,” said Garvin. “I have so much more time in class because I don’t have to worry about it turning on.”

     This merger between technology and school will not be stopping anytime soon. The iPads are only the beginning for education at Norwin.