New Apple iPads

Now In Use At

Scobey School

 

Now that the Scobey School has 275 Apple iPads in its possession for the 2012-13 school year and beyond, Superintendent Dave Selvig was asked “What are some of the things that have been done with them in the first three weeks of classes?”

 

“One good example,” his response began, “was one student was in Billings for surgery and was still in class” due to having her iPad along on the trip. “She was basically sitting in the (Scobey) classroom while in Billings.”

 

 Apple iPads for all 258 Scobey School students in grade K-12 is a result of a $130,000 donation made in March 2012 by Shale Exploration of Scobey.

Selvig says the school has 275 Apple iPads in all (29 that were ordered by the school prior to the donation), with the entire staff, including paraprofessionals, using them. Five are set aside for back-up purposes.

 

“We’re getting started with them and everybody is learning more and more things about them,” he said. “The teachers have come up with some good ideas on how to use them. Most of the teachers went through professional development workshops in Billings and Missoula” on how to use the Apple iPads.

So far two math books, one biology book and

 

one U.S. History book have been in use on the iPads at the school, one teacher downloaded a book for use in two classes and the new technology is being used heavily in the music department.

 

What are the rules for taking an iPad off school property?

 

Selvig came up with a policy that students in grades 4-12 and their parents had to sign and pay a $25 fee for the school year ($50 per family with two or more students) in order for iPads to leave the school premises. Those who choose not to take them home do not have to pay,  but “Every student in grades 7-12 has paid,”Selvig said. The fee will help pay for repairs and/or replacements if necessary.  

 

At the time of Shale Exploration’s $130,000 donation to the Scobey School to provide Apple iPads to all of its students, there was no other school in Montana doing so (Powell, Wyoming was the closest).

 

 

When the big news of the donation broke on Friday, March 30, Selvig explained to the Daniels County Leaderexactly what an Apple iPad is and how the new technology will benefit Scobey students.

 

“It’s basically a tablet computer, can do everything a stationary computer can do and is a lot more transportable,” he began. “The big benefit is the iPad is interactive with video, instant internet and email. There’s a cost benefit with the digital textbooks. A hard-copy book runs anywhere from $75-100 per book and we try to be on a 5-year rotation on purchasing new books. With the iPad it costs about $15 per textbook. Many of the digital textbooks coming out are based on the common-core standards,” of which Montana has adopted. “The number one advantage is to enhance the students’ learning. That’s what we’re hoping for, that it will inspire them.”

 

So far so good!