[September 13, 2011] Use of iPads an exciting option for Pelican Rapids students Tweet Sep 13, 2011 (Fergus Falls Daily Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- By Tom Hintgen Daily Journal Research, according to Pelican Rapids High School Principal Brian Korf, shows that use of technology improves student engagement in the learning process and also improves student test scores. With this in mind, PRHS has in place iPad use for juniors and seniors for the 2011-12 school year. This comes about through a technology grant and donations from businesses and individuals. PRHS has purchased 190 iPads. Each junior and senior pays a $50 rental fee for use of the IPad for nine months (2011-12). "Our teachers can podcast their lectures, and students can view the lectures through use of the iPad or any computer," said Korf. Like iPhone and iPod Touch, the iPad is controlled by a multi-touch display as well as a onscreen keyboard in lieu of a physical keyboard. Among those using this system, for podcasting lectures, is PRHS math instructor Brad Strand. Last week Strand had his morning calculus lectures logged with use of the new technology. Later that day, a student taking the same class, but in the afternoon, missed the lecture. "My student, Casey Bruggeman, had a medical appointment and had to miss the class. But Casey didn't have to miss the lecture," said Strand. "He was able to access the lecture through an iPad after his doctor appointment." If the soccer team, football team, Knowledge Bowl team or other groups leave early on a bus to an out-of-town activity, students still will have access to the Internet. That's because Wi-Fi is available on two of the Pelican Rapids Public Schools buses. Korf said that PRHS instructors also post assignments on the school website. "It's a new world of technology with Moodle, Blackboard and other applications," said Korf. He said that graduates come back and tell PRHS faculty and underclassmen that students in college are expected to know how to e-mail documents and use programs such as Moodle and Blackboard. "In other words, students need to be prepared by the time they get to college," said Korf, in his second year as principal at Pelican Rapids High School. As for iPad, the sky seems to be the limit. The iPad memory can hold textbooks or specific chapters of books that teachers want to emphasize. Eventually, the Pelican Rapids school system would like to extend use of iPads to sophomores, in addition the juniors and seniors. "Our staff is working hard implementing the iPad into the classroom to help our students be college and career ready," said Korf. ___ (c)2011 the Fergus Falls Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minn.) Visit the Fergus Falls Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minn.) at www.fergusfallsjournal.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]