iPad consigns schoolbooks to history lessons
The hardware will be phased in from September, with all 90 first-year students being given the option of using the Apple tablet instead of a bag full of school books.
Each iPad will be furnished with learning apps, at an estimated cost of €700 for the full package. With the price spread across a three-year period, the value for money cannot be ignored said school principal Jimmy Finn.
“It is a bit of a unique idea, but we have to continue to move with the times,” he said. “We received huge support from the teachers and parents for the idea — we had 96% support — but in no way is this obligatory. Parents have the choice to go with the iPad or schoolbooks.”
Similar projects with laptops have been introduced around the country in the last few years, but St Coleman’s seem to be the first school to bring the iPad into the classroom.
And Mr Finn believes the benefits to his students will far outweigh any cost, while the financial blow will be softened with loans on offer to families that take part in the project.
“The iPad weighs something around 700 grammes and everyone knows how heavy a bag of school books can be,” said Mr Finn. “But that is not the only reason behind the decision. The iPad can last for 10 hours without charge so that will ensure that it can be used seamlessly in class. And with any book updates included in the price, it won’t continue to be a burden.
“We have struck a deal with the local Credit Union to make low-rate loans at around €20 per week available to any family purchasing the iPad.”
“We cannot provide funding for this ourselves, but we are in negotiations with EDCO Ireland and Apple to try and help with the project.
“To be honest we were overwhelmed by the support for the project, so hopefully it proves as successful as we think it will,” added Mr Finn.
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