District 211 sticking with iPads over Chromebooks

Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board members have unanimously agreed to spend $2.5 million on 7,168 Apple iPads for next year's freshmen and sophomores.

The purchase represents a decision made after careful analysis that the iPad continues to be the better choice in comparison to the Google Chromebook for the district's One-to-One program that provides an electronic device for each student.

On a scale of 188 possible points, the iPads scored 170.8 to the Chromebooks' 98.5. Their costs were considered comparable - between $325 and $400 per Chromebook and $349 per iPad.

While that analysis was going on, new devices were not bought for this year's freshmen. But now that the study is complete, the district will buy iPads for two grade levels next year, returning to its usual expectation of a four-year life for each device.

A panel of teachers and administrators involved in the study spoke to the school board about the benefits they have observed in student learning since the full implementation of the One-to-One program two years ago.

Mark Kovack, associate superintendent for student services, said use of Internet-accessible devices for students from all family income levels has provided both real-world problem-solving skills and a strengthened curiosity to learn on their own.

"I would say now the One-to-One program is not a novelty," Kovack said. "It's the way we do school."

The goal of the program so far has been to enhance student learning and make sure all teachers are aware of the opportunities available to them to do so with the iPads, rather than requiring their constant use in every classroom.

Board Member Lauanna Recker said she's fully supportive of the program, but wants to make sure the use of each device is maximized - particularly after a $2.5 million purchase. She asked that an objective measurement of the devices' use be formulated before next year's purchase.

Fellow Board Member Anna Klimkowicz suggested that students, too, be asked specifically what made the biggest difference to them.

Superintendent Dan Cates said such measurements would be established, though constant improvement has been and will continue to be a goal for the district's teachers.

But already, whenever there has been a collaborative meeting among districts on the educational uses of such devices, it's been District 211 teachers who have proved to be the leaders, Cates said.

At the end of its four-year life, each District 211 iPad is sold at market price either to the student who's been using it or elsewhere after being cleaned of personal information.