Students at Kewaunee Schools have a new tool for learning at their disposal; iPads.
The Kewaunee School District began its plan to roll out iPads to all students in grades five and up this year, starting with the fifth and ninth graders.
Kewaunee High School Principal Mike Holtz says the idea has been in the works in the strategic plan for about a year and a half.
Holtz says the district organized a technology council consisting of staff and community members. The council wanted to move forward with a one-to-one initiative, with an electronic device for every single child in at least grades five through twelve.
The district then settled on the iPad for a few reasons. Holtz says the big one is its textbook capabilities.
After figuring out what they wanted, Holtz says the district decided phasing the iPads in over four years was the most budget friendly way to bring them to students. This year's fifth and ninth graders will hang onto their device for four years. Next year students entering fifth and ninth grade will receive their own new device.
Social Studies Teacher Amy Jens says giving all students an iPad really levels the technology playing field for all students enrolled.
Jens is eager to put the iPads to use in her class room for an upcoming research project on immigration…
Principal Holtz says the iPads allow for a lot of differentiation in ideas to occur during research, they allow students to easily work on projects, and are great for taking notes, but the district is only just starting to scratch the surface in potential.
Holtz says the staff has had extensive training getting started, and that education will continue on to intermediate and advanced training as well.
