Mobile Computing

Texas District Adopts iPads, Digital Texts To Improve Outcomes, Feedback

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 02/09/15

Northside Intermediate School in Texas is replacing textbooks with digital books and iPads in an effort to improve learning outcomes and provide instant feedback.

Every student at the school has access to the devices throughout the day, allowing them to iPads to read, practice their writing, study math or science or engage in other learning activities.

The iPads also provide students with instant grading feedback and are being used in some math classes as student response devices or for quizzing students.

"I've had some great response from teachers and students and so we are very excited that it's been successful, that teachers are learning best ways to implement technology into the classroom while still meeting the State of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and so we feel like it's giving our students an edge," said Stacey Johnson, director of human resources and communications for Henderson Independent School District (HISD), in a local news report.

As a result of Northside's success, HISD is looking into expanding the initiative to other schools.

"The iPad is a lot more dynamic," said Kevin Bryan, director of technology for HISD. "It's a device that has an abundance of apps. In math, they work on math problems, but what's nice about the textbook is they can actually watch a video explanation on anything that they're working on if they're confused about a concept or a topic. Science is that same way."