Tampa Catholic’s administration and teachers will make every effort to ensure, to the best of our ability, that each student makes positive use of technology for the purpose of learning.
We believe it is the best device in the marketplace in terms of long battery life, high resolution, a robust app developer community and Apple’s focus on education.
Given the developments in technology, everyone can expect that an advanced device will arrive on the market, and when it does, the administration will determine if a transition will be made. Because of backwards compatibility, this will not present an issue. For our students and teachers, the device is a tool to be used for teaching and learning. Learning must always come before any particular educational tool — whether a desk, a textbook, a ruler, or an iPad.
There are many advantages including individual learning activities, e-book interactive materials, connectivity with peers and teachers, Internet access to unlimited educational resources, applications to specific learning activities, creative opportunities in every curricular areas, innovative ways to learn a language, music, art, and much more. In much the same way that families can now monitor grades online, the possibilities of communication and accessing information are limitless. Also, the paperless future is upon us, and an iPad is a very green application of technology to preserve our natural resources, lift the burden of heavy textbooks off the backs of students, and prepare our students by learning skills that are transferable to college and technology in the workplace.
Yes. Not only can students take the iPad home, they are expected to take it home and charge it each night. The iPad will be used not only for in-class work but also for homework assignments. Many assignments will be unique to the iPad experience and cannot be replicated on any other device.
A determination will be made by the Administration in early spring on whether returning, fully-registered students can keep their iPads during the summer months.
Tampa Catholic High School leases the iPads and assigns them to each student with an individual password as a tool to support their learning experience. Students will be expected to bring them to school fully charged each day and have them in class just as they would for any other required material. A specific iPad program agreement will be provided during the re-enrollment process in August.
Applications or apps for use on the iPad enable students to integrate technology into their learning experience. Standard apps and their potential application are for note taking, communication, interacting, and productivity.
Starting with the 2018-19 school year, Tampa Catholic High School will establish an Approved App list. Only the apps appearing on the Approved App list can be installed. The administration will determine whether or not additional apps can be added to the Approved App list.
Students will need to create their own Apple ID that can be used to manage apps. Part of becoming a responsible user of technology is knowing how to care for the device, including downloading, installing, using and uninstalling applications. Tampa Catholic’s iPad program will include the purchase of the basic apps required by the school. Students are encouraged to use their school issued Google email address for their Apple ID; not their personal Apple ID.
Electronic textbooks on the iPad allow for easy portability along with access to interactive learning materials that promise a richer learning experience. Now and into the future, we will see fewer and fewer hard copy textbooks. Also, many e-books, especially in novels and short stories, are in the public domain, and these literary materials are free to the public.
The iPad is Tampa Catholic High School’s property and is loaned to the student for the school year. The student is ultimately responsible for the care of the device. If the school-issued iPad is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair as determined by Apple, then the family will be responsible for replacing the device ($645.00). Each Tampa Catholic iPad is insured by Apple Care. If a Tampa Catholic iPad is lost, stolen or damaged, the student must immediately report such to the School Administration. If the device is repairable, the parents will be responsible for the $50.00 + tax deductible. Parents must take the damaged device to a certified Apple repair center (Apple Store). If a device is repaired by an unauthorized repair center, the Apple Care warranty will be void.
Tampa Catholic High School owns the iPad. Starting with the Class of 2021, students will take ownership of their school-issued iPad upon successfully graduating from Tampa Catholic. If a student were to leave Tampa Catholic prior to graduation, they will take ownership upon departure and must pay the prorated balance.
In early August, iPads will be distributed to all new students during a mandatory orientation. Students and Parents will be asked to participate in an orientation program on how to use the iPad during this time. The iPad distribution and orientation schedule will be emailed to all families by the end of July. Students and Parents will be asked to sign an iPad contract when the devices are distributed.
Tampa Catholic High School is committed to providing teachers and students the best technology for specific learning goals. Laptops, computers, and other devices will be available when necessary in the classroom.
It is important to note that the iPad is not a replacement for a computer, but rather its touchscreen, unique apps, and interactive textbooks offer students a completely new learning experience. Students may feel more comfortable completing some assignments, particularly those involving extensive use of a keyboard, on a computer.
Tampa Catholic will be using our network infrastructure and various hardware appliances to monitor and control all mobile devices using the school’s wireless network. We also provide compliant web filtering. Additionally, our students’ online behavior will be governed by the Tampa Catholic Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
