Bishop Verot Catholic High School unveiled its plans in January to be among the first in Southwest Florida to adopt a 1:1 iPad program. The iPads are a part of a $250,000 investment in technology that will be implemented by Bishop Verot as part of its long range strategic plan. The program will launch with the incoming freshmen class as a first phase to outfit every student, teacher, and administrator with an iPad device.
The initiative will transition the traditional classroom into a new digital learning environment, allowing both students and teachers to utilize the power of the iPad to create a dynamic learning environment to meet the wide ranging needs of students with the assistance of a multitude of apps and real-time information.
“The devices are more than just a fancy way to take notes,” said Principal John Cavell. “Our goal is to give students the ability to empower their education and there are thousands of apps available in the iTunes store that can assist students with differentiated learning techniques and skill reinforcement.”
The iPad program will require a major upgrade to the schools’ infrastructure to handle the nearly 1,000 devices that will be on the network at any given time. 15 new wireless access points were recently added, hardwired by new CAT5e Ethernet lines installed earlier this spring and carried by fiber optic lines that can handle the future growth of the school.
The school will totally integrate the iPads through the installation of Apple TV devices in each classroom and through the installation of a new mobile device management system (MDM). The MDM will enable the administration to push apps purchased in bulk from the iTunes store to student’s devices while allowing teachers to distribute test, quizzes and documents with the swipe of a finger.
“With the installation of Apple TV, teachers will be liberated from the front of the classroom while providing an all encompassing learning experience to students with visual, auditory, verbal and participatory cues,” said Cavell.
The iPad is inspiring learning and creativity in schools around the country and Bishop Verot is proud to offer such a program in Southwest Florida.
PROGRAM FACTS
What is a 1:1 iPad program?
A 1:1 program represents the most comprehensive technology integration program available for instructional purposes. It requires that every student involved in the program have direct access to a personal computing device at all times.
Is the iPad covered under any insurance plan?
Insurance is included in the yearly lease cost. Students will incur a $150 deductible for each claim made. In the case of theft from a car or home, it may be covered under a personal insurance plan.
Do students need to purchase a case for the iPad?
Bishop Verot will provide a case for the iPad that students are required to use at all times.
What type of iPad?
The iPad model will be an Apple iPad with Retina Display with 32 GB of memory.
Why the iPad and not netbooks/laptops?
The iPad is a lightweight and versatile device with all the power and speed of a laptop. The iPad requires minimal maintenance, connects to thousands of applications and textbook licenses via the iTunes store, and when fully charged can run for up to 10 hours.
Can students opt out of participating in the 1:1 program?
No. All students will be engaged in instruction through the iPad medium.
How will the school manage the devices?
Bishop Verot will utilize a Mobile Device Management suite installed on each iPad. The MDM suite allows the school to register each device on our server, where we can control the settings of the device, apply rules, and remotely lock/wipe and send out over the air software updates?
Is it restricted solely for school purposes? Can students put personal info on it- personal apps, photos, etc?
Students are encouraged to integrate their iPad into their everyday life. So long as the content is appropriate and does not violate any policies written in the handbook, students may upload pictures, download personal apps, and use the web freely.
During the school day, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter will be blocked by our MDM system.
Is a credit card required to download and install software?
No credit card is required; Bishop Verot will setup a free Apple ID for each student, which gives them the ability to download apps. The school will purchase all required apps for students and place on their iPad through our MDM suite.
Will students use the iPad in every course?
The iPad will be the student’s tool to use at school. Bishop Verot is implementing a professional development program with all teachers on the use of the iPad in the classroom. We expect that how it is used will vary based on subject area. The expectation is that the iPad will be utilized across all disciplines as a tool for interactive presentations, data gathering and analysis; creative writing, and in class processing of content.
What happens when I graduate- do students keep it or is it the schools property?
If a student leases an iPad for all four years and graduates from Bishop Verot, they will own the iPad. After graduation, the school will remove the MDM system, thus taking the schools’ control off of the iPad.
ABOUT BISHOP VEROT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL:
Bishop Verot Catholic High School is a coeducational institution in the Diocese of Venice, Florida. It is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). Founded in 1962, Bishop Verot has earned a reputation for excellence through our commitment to religious mission, academic achievement and service to the community. The school currently enrolls over 630 students in grades 9-12. Bishop Verot’s college preparatory curriculum includes Honors courses, an Advanced Placement (AP) program and dual enrollment credit opportunities. Annually, over 99% of our graduates continue their formal education at a number of outstanding colleges and universities across America.