St. Martin's Middle School Launches iPad Pilot Program

Upon returning from the International Society for Technology and Education's annual conference in June (which he was able to attend thanks to a generous Faculty Recognition Grant by the St. Martin's Mothers Club), Science Department Chair Warren Lind approached the Technology Office with an ambitious idea for the 2011-12 school year: Launch a one-year pilot program using iPad companion devices and an interactive science textbook to enhance learning by Middle School students. After studying the idea during the summer, this exciting pilot program was launched yesterday for the thirteen students in Mr. Lind's Honors Physical Science Class.

St. Martin's Middle and Upper School students have been using laptop and tablet technology since 2006 with significant benefits including the ability to learn interactively with faculty and classmates using SmartBoards and the ability to post homework and assignments, see grades and research online from anywhere on campus or at home.

Two advances in technology prompted the new program at St. Martin's: The development of Companion Devices, including iPads, which are lighter, less expensive, more durable, faster-on, easier to use and with longer battery life than laptops; and the advent of truly interactive learning systems like Cinch Learning Systems. Unlike previous "online" textbooks, which were simply large pdfs of paper texts, Cinch employs state-of-the-art curricula in science featuring customizable interactive lesson pages and presentations, animations and videos to illustrate scientific principles as well as online practice problems. In our pilot program we are using CINCH Science, a comprehensive 5-12 science program that maximizes online capabilities to engage all students in learning. Teachers can access all lessons and course materials, and students can access all assigned resources at any time to review key concepts. All CINCH e-books and other core materials are fully accessible from a wide range of mobile devices including the iPad2, smartphone and laptop PC, providing multiple options to target different learning styles and classroom needs.

St. Martin's selected the iPad technology for use in the pilot program based upon its functionality, cost and the large number of educational apps available. The cost of purchasing the pilot program devices was funded by the school, and students in the pilot program will be provided a proportionately-sized keyboard for use with the iPad2s. At the end of the one-year pilot program, the school will evaluate not only whether the use of companion devices and interactive curricula enhanced student education, but also whether the iPad technology is the best choice for future companion device use. States Technology Department Head Michelle Snow, "Ultimately, we see companion devices as the machine that students will bring to school, while their laptop or home computer will serve for heavier computer use involving extensive writing or research."

In order to transition from using laptops purchased by parents to companion devices for the 2012-13 school year, this year's sixth grade students as well as all new seventh and eighth grade students have been provided a school-owned laptop. If the pilot program succeeds as expected, parents in the 2012-13 school year would purchase only a companion device for their child. Companion devices are significantly less expensive than laptops ($600 versus $2100, and they have a two-year warranty).

Evaluation of the pilot program will be based upon a pre-testing survey conducted by Warren Lind during the first week of school, followed by periodic surveys during the course of the year and finally, a post-test survey at the end of the school year. The school will advise students, parents and faculty regarding the results of the pilot program and recommendations for procedures and equipment for the following year.

The students and parents participated in a webinar Monday night, and the iPad2s were distributed on Tuesday. This provided an introduction to the pilot program that utilizes iPad2 and an interactive curriculum. Companion devices for the pilot program group will receive technical support from the StM Technology Office.

"The important point is not that we're using technology. Rather, it's the integration of technology with what the teacher is doing in the classroom," states Warren Lind. "By conducting a one-year pilot program with a control group of students and one teacher in a true classroom setting, we will be able to objectively measure the impact of that integration on learning, which is our mission as a school."

Middle School Head Jane Caine is very excited about this pilot program just as she was about the introduction in Middle School of the tablet program in the fall of 2006. "Our teachers are highly motivated, eager to receive training and continually looking for additional venues to facilitate the effective integration of technology into the classroom." "I cannot think of a better place to pilot this program than with our Middle School students and faculty."

George Cottage/Lower School Carpool Procedure

Middle School Carpool Procedure

Upper School Carpool Procedure

St. Martin's Middle School offers NetGrading/NetClassroom to help parents review grades in the current academic year, keep track of their child's progress between report cards, and verify the dates and details of homework assignments, quizzes, and tests.  Each family has a unique user id and password to access this site.   

Click here to access NetGrading/NetClassroom.