A recent article from eSchool News discusses the iPad pilot that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is conducting. The VDOE is working with Pearson to implement the program for fourth, seventh, and ninth grade students in social studies classes. Additional content, software, and platforms are being provided by Five Ponds Press, Victory Productions, Adobe, and MashOn. In addition, AP biology students participating in VDOE’s online learning program will use an interactive textbook created by Inkling in cooperation with McGraw-Hill.
The iPad pilot is part of VDOE’s larger "Beyond Textbook" initiative which aims to “explore the potential of wireless technology and digital textbooks to enhance teaching and learning.”
Patricia Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction, commented on the initiative, “The experiences of students and teachers will be evaluated, and the knowledge gained will help policy makers, educators, and our private-sector partners better understand the potential instructional uses of interactive digital media and wireless technology. We will learn what works in the classroom and build on that as our schools move beyond traditional textbooks.”
The iPad pilot program will kick off on November 1 and will run for 12 weeks. Additional information can be found in the press release.
