Zeeland students get iPads

ZEELAND, Mich. (WOOD) - Students in the Zeeland Public School District are getting their very own iPad.

The district is using funds from a bond approved in May 2010 to pay for the devices, as well as build a new elementary school, add on to exisiting schools and expand their technology.

The idea is to "provide learners with portable computing device so they can create, collaborate, communicate, and critically think," according to a district website.

All teachers and administrators received iPads this summer, all high school students will receive them on Tuesday, all middle school students will get them this winter, and upper elementary classrooms will be equipped with them in September 2012.

Students and their parents will be required to sign an agreement that states they will cover the cost of a replacement iPad if the one they are issued breaks or becomes damaged. The deductible for a replacement is $250 because of an insurance policy the district has on the iPads.

Students will be allowed to take their iPad home at the end of every school day to use at home for both personal and school work. They will be able to customize their iPads, as well as download their own apps, take pictures and videos, and download music.

If a student or their parent should opt out of bringing the iPad home, the student would be required to pick up the device when they got to school and drop it back off at the end of the day.

Students will be assigned an iPad at the start of the school year and return it when classes end; they will not keep them over summer break.

District officials say in their handbook that they reserve the right to take back or view any student's iPad at anytime. They also warn students that they should not expect any level of privacy with what is on their iPad.

Students are expected to bring their iPads to class with them every day. Teachers in each grade level have complied educational apps to be integrated with current curricullum so iPads can be used in the classroom daily.

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Online:

Video of teachers learning how to use the iPads

Zeeland Public Schools