There is no denying that technology has entered the classroom. Many high schools are in the preliminary stages or have taken the plunge requiring students to have either a laptop or a tablet. Instead of a heavy load of books and papers stuffed into backpacks, students back-load is significantly less because they now sport either a shiny, new Chromebook or iPad. Schools who have gone cold turkey and required every student to have a laptop or tablet have run into a few obstacles – either teachers lack the professional development or schools do not have the technological infrastructure to support their chosen devices.

For the past two years, Regina has spent considerable time in updating its infrastructure to support a shift to a possible 1:1 device implementation. After a technology committee of faculty and administration convened to look at a variety of devices, Regina chose the iPad for its pilot program.  Kate Houston, iPad coordinator, explains Regina’s decision, “We looked at several devices that would be a good fit for our school, such as the Chromebook, the Surface tablet, and the iPad. We decided to move forward with the iPad because it offered the largest variety of educational apps, has a changeable interface to function as a camera, whiteboard, notebook, musical instrument, etc.  It is also quite portable and easy for students to handle and use.”

Two years ago, the first part of the iPad Pilot Program was initiated. Each teacher was given an iPad to experiment with and to see how they could implement the iPad into their classroom. Workshops were offered for faculty and opportunities to take workshops through the Archdiocese of Chicago have been enjoyed by many Regina faculty during the past two summers.

This September, Regina enters into its second phase of the iPad Pilot Program. The first students receiving iPads are in Mrs. Cassidy’s Honors American Literature class. Students have been using the iPads to read The Scarlet Letter and use the Notability app to annotate and to take notes. Sophomore Madalyn Wilson said, “I think they are a great learning tool to have and provide access to helpful tools to help with classwork.” Additional teachers who will be participating in the program this year include: Ms. Bochenek, Ms. Cairns, Mrs. Duran, Mrs. Locher, Mrs. Wildman, and Mrs. Stenson. These teachers and several of their classes will receive their iPad in early October.

Students will be able to access a handbook with specific iPad policies and procedures from iTunes University before they are able to use a school issued iPad. In early winter, the Administration will determine if iPads will be used by all students for the 2015-2016 school year. Wilson recommends Regina going 1:1 next year, saying, “I hope we go 1:1 next year. I like reading books through iBooks. Also, an iPad is easier to carry around than lugging textbooks around on your back. I like having everything in one place.”