Academy of the Pacific student tech team member Chris Bouley shares a laugh with his parents at the iPad rollout this morning.
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– With the ever-evolving role of technology and digital information in education, the Academy of the Pacific (AOP) began distributing Apple iPads to all students and teachers as part of its 1:1 iPad program. Students received their iPads at a celebration this morning on the school’s great lawn. Each AOP student received a new iPad for his or her use throughout the school year.
The 1:1 iPad program is part of AOP’s efforts to inspire and encourage learning beyond traditional environments by integrating creative, collaborative, project-based learning and digital technology into its curriculum. The purchase of the iPads for students and faculty was made possible through a $100,000 grant from an anonymous local foundation.
“AOP’s small classroom sizes make it possible for teachers to provide more individualized attention to students than possible at larger schools,” said Lou Young, AOP head of school. “When this is combined with a powerful and portable tool like the iPad and its growing array of educational apps designed to help students of all learning styles, educational leaps are possible and doors previously closed have the potential to be unlocked.”
In preparation for the use of iPads in the classroom, AOP’s 16 teachers were provided iPads in June and received training on instruction methods, strategies to integrate the technology into their classrooms and tips on the use of apps to aid learning in their disciplines. The professional development for teachers was funded through a $67,000 grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation Schools of the Future initiative. AOP is one of 14 schools in the Islands participating in the five-year effort to transform the learning environment and teaching strategies of Hawaii independent schools to student-centered, project-based learning.
In addition, AOP parents received training at informational sessions held in August that covered the 1:1 iPad program, reviewing policies and procedures necessary for the “care and feeding” of iPads. The information sessions also highlighted ways that the classroom and home can work in partnership to further student learning.
“As a teacher at AOP for nearly 20 years, personalizing a student’s education to address their unique needs and abilities are the cornerstones of what we do,” said Preston Maginis, creative writing and English teacher. “The 1:1 iPad program is a perfect fit for our mission, curriculum and students. I look forward to engaging students with this powerful tool this school year and beyond.”
Academy of the Pacific students share their self-photos that they took using their iPads at the conclusion of the iPad rollout.
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