Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Our Move to iPad and Google Apps

Flickr CC Photo bydavidAigner
This week we announced a major change to our educational technology plan at MHS.  As part of what we are calling "Mercy 2.0", we are moving to the iPad as our 1:1 device and we will be adopting Google Apps. Among the reasons:


The iPad’s functions fall more in line with current staff and student usage than our current device.  What is more, the 400,000 apps available on the iPad (for a relative pittance) offer great opportunities for instructional customization and exploration.  


The cost of a Mercy education should be measurably reduced for new students.  Furthermore, our Wi-Fi system can accommodate the iPad, immediately, meaning that we will not incur major infrastructure costs in the transition.


The iPad is light, has a battery life that makes it through our school day, and boots up/shuts down almost instantly.  We expect that the students will need little time “learning” how to use the device.

The iPad is a terrific e-reader.  The lack of digital materials available on our laptops has been (along with cost) a chronic disappointment with our program.  With e-texts becoming more available, the iPad is suited to to lightening book bags.

Needless to say, these major changes will help supply the Drive-thru with content in 2012!
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2 comments:

  1. Carol KirklandDecember 18, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Great decision! They will LOVE their iPads!

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  2. Ryan BretagJanuary 12, 2012 at 11:05 PM

    How are you addressing the fact that Google Apps and iPads simply do not work well beyond rudimentary editing and view only?

    I value both very much but the fact that they aren't playing nicely nor is there any signs they plan to start, it seems difficult to create a 1:1 environment with iPads and a foundation of Google Apps.

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