This 2014- 2015 school year, Nazareth Academy introduced the extensive academic use of iPads. The freshman class of 2018 are the first to participate in the new iPad accessible curriculum. This new step forward is different than the previous Bring Your Own Device policy, which was in place last year. Bring Your Own Device allows sophomores, juniors, and seniors to use their phones, tablets, and e-readers when teachers approve of their use, which is different than the full time integration of technology that is present in the freshman iPad program. With this program, iPads can be powerful and useful academic tools.

For instance, iPads can hold textbooks, documents, pictures and diagrams, gmail, calendars, and a variety of useful apps. iPads are also easy to update and organize. Mr.Wejman, who teaches freshman Western Civilization this year, elaborates on a few of the advantages of the iPads: “the iBooks have been good, [as] iBooks have proven to be cheaper than regular textbooks. They’re lighter and more convenient and offer some interactive features that regular textbooks don’t.” Notably, Mr. Wejman finds the iPads interesting for the “digital, interactive learning experience.”

Additionally, Mr. Sep, who teaches freshman religion, says that “students don’t forget their books as easily, or lose them. The iBook is really easy to use, really easy to navigate, [and] it’s got highlighting options to take notes within there. [The iBook] turns your notes into flashcards for review, [has] embedded videos, PowerPoint notes and all kinds of cool stuff.” He also mentions that apps like Quizlet and Nearpod are now easily accessible with the iPad program. Another highlight Mr.Sep mentions is “being able to go right to your drive, all the time. Everybody now has that option. It’s great and a lot of fun.” They also fit in within the Apple ecosystem and are therefore a great addition to Naz’s Mac lab. Since freshman year includes the production of  iMovies, this is particularly helpful.

Students seem to have positive reviews on the iPad program. Taylor Barnes ‘18 explains that the iPads “enable us to communicate with our teachers and work on more projects with our friends. It’s a lot easier to to find help with homework, if you need it, and to contact your teachers.” The communication factor is especially important for students and teachers alike.

Although the iPads introduce many advantages and exciting opportunities, they aren’t perfect. iPads are much more fragile than traditional pen and paper. There’s also the battery factor, although if properly charged, should not be too much an issue. iPads, on occasion, also glitch and crash. Freshman Erin McGarry mentions that although “the iPads are lighter for our backpacks… they’re a distraction in class and it’s complicated to do all the technology stuff.”

Mr. Wejman, while in favor of the iPad program, weighs in about the element of distraction, stating that “students who want to be distracted will always find a distraction, but the iPad gives more opportunities to deviate from the work, so that’s always a struggle. Otherwise, it offers a lot of potential.” Overall, there are some minor adjustments to be made in regards to the struggles that stem from the iPad program, but most radical changes do.

There are a variety of unique challenges and great opportunities that come with the introduction of iPads.  As technology constantly evolves, Nazareth Academy has proven itself capable of evolving with it.