iPads to become compulsory at St Mary's

Technology has become a large part of everyday life and soon it will become the norm in some classrooms around New Zealand, including in a Stratford high school.

After the recent confirmation that some Auckland schools are going to introduce iPads to their classrooms, two local high schools have said  the iPad is not a priority in their schools, however St Mary's is excited about the concept.

Both Stratford High School and Inglewood High School told the Stratford Press their schools do not have the infrastructure to introduce the tablets, nor do they believe that it would benefit the students more than a computer or laptop would.

``It's not a priority for me. There's a whole lot of issues we would have to look at first,'' says Stratford High School principal, Philip Keenan.

St Mary's acting principal, Debra Keenan says the applications and resources available through the iPad will mean more interaction for the students.

``There's quick and easy access to all the apps and there are some wonderful apps they can use,'' she says.

The school is looking at introducing the iPad in 2013, however, they have not yet discussed in detail how the iPads would be paid for, but Debra says a lease from the school may be one option considered.

``We don't want them to all go out and buy an expensive piece of technology. We will try to make it more affordable for our parents,'' she says.

iPads currently sell for between $799 and $1148, which all schools agree is a lot of money.

Students who have laptops would not be asked to buy an iPad, as long as their laptops are able to hold the correct software necessary for learning.

Inglewood High School's principal Rosey Mabin says although she benefits from owning an iPad, she doesn't believe they are a necessity for the school.

``I don't see that the students are going to benefit much by having an iPad, many would gain more by having a laptop.''

Although Rosie would love to see laptops in Inglewood High School, without ultra-fast broadband, the school would not cope.

``Any school in the community is not going to have the infrastructure that can handle 400 kids coming in with laptops,'' she says.

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