iPad2 press release 3 11
March 21, 2011
Local School Leads the World in Using the iPad2
Students are already using iPad2s in their classes at Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville.
“I believe we’re the first high school in the world to implement iPad2s. They aren’t even available overseas yet,” said Stephen Sharp, the MVCS Headmaster. “During the year since our ground-breaking launch of iPads last April, we’ve proven their value in the classroom. It’s going to be exciting to explore the newest features.”
The school was the first to incorporate iPads into high school education in April 2010, beginning with 120 units for 4 classrooms. They now have 480 iPads, including 16 classroom sets in the high school and middle school, and 68 individual units that are being used by high school history students in a 1:1 trial.
Next fall, Monte Vista plans to issue each incoming freshman an iPad2. Students will carry them from class to class during the day, and take them home in the evenings to do their homework.
Since iPads first arrived on campus last year, students and teachers have been enthusiastic.
“The students appreciate the new technology,” said Josh Davis, a history teacher at Monte Vista, “first as a novelty, and now as a useful tool.”
Sharp said that the school considers the adoption of cutting edge technology to be a part of their commitment to excellence.
“With its front and back cameras and its faster processor, the iPad2 opens a new frontier,” he said. “Every day there are new apps and new websites to discover.”